Furniture Fire Safety Law Changes 2025

From 30 October 2025, the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 changed in a few useful ways for rented homes. The April 2025 amendments exclude some baby products from the scope, remove the swing label, and give Trading Standards more time to bring cases.

1. Some baby and child items drop out

A number of nursery and baby items will no longer count as “furniture” under the FFSR. The list includes:

• infant mattresses under 170 x 75 cm
• modular cot mattresses
• prams and pushchairs
• playpens
• car seats
• changing mats
• baby nests
• high chairs
• booster seats
• similar items

For landlords, the point is straightforward:

• You can include these items in furnished lets without needing an FFSR-style permanent label.
• They still have to be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations, so buy from reputable brands and check them between tenancies.
• Standard mattresses, sofa beds, cushions and ordinary beds are still covered.

2. The swing label is gone

For years, new furniture has come with two fire safety labels: a stitched-in permanent label and a detachable swing label. From 30 October 2025, the swing label is no longer required. Manufacturers do not have to attach it, and retailers do not have to leave it on the item.

For landlords, that means:

• A new item without a swing label after that date is fine.
• The permanent label still has to be there. If it is missing, the item should not be supplied.
• An older second-hand item can still be used if it has a swing label, but the swing label no longer proves compliance.

3. Trading Standards gets longer to start proceedings

Local authorities have complained for years that six months was too short. The amendment gives them 12 months from the date of the offence.

That makes records worth keeping. Hold on to invoices, label photos and inventories for at least a year.

4. What to do next

• Check every upholstered item in your furnished properties and make sure the permanent label is there and readable.
• Replace anything doubtful before the next tenancy, or by October 2025 at the latest.
• Photograph each permanent label and keep it with the tenancy file.
• Add a short note to tenant information packs asking tenants not to bring in non-compliant second-hand sofas or chairs.
• If you run holiday lets or HMOs, check those too. The rules apply there as well.

5. Dates to note

• 28 April 2025: the Regulations were signed.
• 30 April 2025: they were laid before Parliament.
• 30 October 2025: the changes take effect.

A final word

These amendments are not dramatic, but they are easy to miss. If a property is furnished, it is worth checking the labels now rather than after a complaint or inspection. Non-compliance can still lead to an unlimited fine or imprisonment.

The government’s general product safety guidance is here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/general-product-safety-regulations-2005