Europe and Furniture Regulations…

Furniture Conformity in Europe

In the European Union, furniture must comply with a variety of regulations and standards to ensure safety, quality, and environmental protection. Here are some of the key areas of furniture conformity:  

1. General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR):

• This is the overarching legislation that mandates all consumer products, including furniture, to be safe under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use.
• It covers a wide range of safety aspects, including:
  • Structural integrity: Preventing furniture from collapsing or tipping over.  
  • Chemical safety: Limiting the presence of hazardous substances like formaldehyde or flame retardants.  
  • Fire safety: Ensuring the flammability of materials used in furniture.  
  • Child safety: Addressing risks associated with small parts, sharp edges, or entrapment hazards.  

2. European Standards (EN Standards):

• These are harmonized standards that provide specific technical requirements for different types of furniture.
• Compliance with relevant EN standards creates a presumption of conformity with the GPSR.  
• Examples of relevant EN standards include:
  • EN 12520: Furniture – Strength, durability, and safety.  
  • EN 1021: Upholstered furniture – Ignition behavior.  
  • EN 1130: Furniture – Cribs and cradles for domestic use.  

3. Other Relevant Regulations:

• European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR): Prohibits the placing of illegally harvested timber on the EU market.
• REACH Regulation: Restricts the use of certain chemicals in furniture.
• Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive: Sets requirements for packaging materials used with furniture.

Key Points:

• Manufacturers and importers are responsible for ensuring that their furniture complies with all applicable regulations and standards.  
• Conformity assessment: This may involve various activities, such as risk assessments, product testing, and certification.  
• Market surveillance: Authorities conduct inspections and enforce compliance to ensure that only safe products are available on the market.