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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Mar 1990

Vol. 397 No. 3

Written Answers. - Fire Safety.

Michael Noonan

Question:

112 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, arising from the regulations regarding fire retardant upholstery fabrics, which came into force on 1 March 1990, he will clarify the following matters: (a) if he intends issuing specific guidelines to the industry, (b) if he intends publishing the new regulations in the national newspapers to inform the public of the availability of safer fabrics, (c) if existing stocks of upholstery fabrics, bought by retailers before 1 March 1990 may still be sold for the purposes of covering new and old furniture and (d) if the new regulations apply to upholsterers in circumstances where a customer supplies his or her own fabric to cover his or her own furniture, even though the cloth does not comply with the new regulations; the measures he intends taking to enforce the regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Industrial Research and Standards (Fire Safety) (Domestic Furniture) Order, 1988 (S.I. No. 336 of 1988), which controls the use of fire retardant materials in domestic furniture, was made by the Minister for Industry and Commerce on 14 December 1988. A copy of the order is available in the Oireachtas Library.

The answers to the specific matters raised by the Deputy are as follows:

(a) In 1988 a Guide to the Order was issued by the Department of Industry and Commerce and was circulated widely throughout the industry; copies of the guide are available from the Department. Additionally, EOLAS held a seminar on Thursday, 15 March, to explain the contents of the regulations to the industry. EOLAS are now being asked to consider holding such further seminars as are considered desirable.

(b) A press release relating to the requirements for covering fabrics was issued by Deputy Michael Smith, Minister for Science and Technology on 28 February 1990. Furthermore, an official notice will be published shortly drawing the special notice of the public to the availability in the Department and in offices of EOLAS of copies of the 1988 Guide to the Order.

(c) Existing stocks of upholstery fabrics bought by retailers before 1 March 1990, cannot be legally sold after this date unless they meet the safety requirements of the order. The only exception relates to permanent covers on second hand furniture which can be sold until 1 March 1993, even though such covers do not meet the requirements of the order.
(d) The order applies to upholsterers in the circumstances outlined by the Deputy.
The enforcement of the order is a matter for the Director of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trade.
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