SGS : FRQG Updated Standards for Children’s Furniture

SAFEGUARDS | Hardgoods NO. 032/17

Four new revised standards for children's furniture: FIRA/FRQG C001~C004:2016 were published on January 27, 2017. The four updated standards are: FIRA/FRQG C001:2016; FIRA/FRQG C002:2016; FIRA/FRQG C003:2016; FIRA/FRQG C004:2016.

These standards have been produced by the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) in conjunction with the Furniture Retail Quality Group (FRQG). The FRQG comprises representatives from most of the major retailers of furniture in the UK and the group specialises in producing standards and guidance documents covering areas of interest with the furniture industry that are not fully covered by British or European standards.

The old versions of FIRA/FRQG C001-C004:2008 were withdrawn when the new 2016 series of these standards were published.

Compared to the previous version, the main changes are outlined below:

FIRA/FRQG C001: 2016 - General Safety Requirements

• References to other British and European Standards: BS EN 71-1; BS EN 71-2; BS EN 71-3; BS EN 14184-1 have been updated
• Additional requirements for organic chemical compounds based on BS EN 71-9 added
• The anti-entrapment requirements for flaps and added additional durability requirements for lid-support mechanism for flaps based on EN 71-1 have changed
• An informative Annex offering additional guidance in relation to chemicals in furniture has been added

FIRA/FRQG C002: 2016 - Seating: Requirements for strength, stability and durability

• The scope has been extended to include bean bags
• The standard specifies that it does not cover children's beds, as BS 8509 covers these products
• References to other British and European Standards: BS EN 1728, BS EN 1729-2 have been updated
• References to other FIRA/FRQG documents have been updated

FIRA/FRQG C003: 2016 - Tables and desks: Requirements for strength, stability and durability

• References to other British and European Standards: BS EN 1730 have been updated
• References to other FIRA/FRQG documents have been updated
• The standard specifies that it does not cover children's beds, as BS 8509 covers these products
• The test method for stability for tables supporting parasols from BS EN 581-3:6.2.2 to BS EN 1730:2012:7.4 has been changed

FIRA/FRQG C004: 2016 - Storage furniture - Requirements for strength, stability and durability

• References to other British and European Standards: BS EN 14749, BS EN 747-1 have been updated
• References to other FRQG documents have been updated
• The force in test item has been changed: wall attachment device: from 200N to 400N
• A warning label for stability requirement has been added

At SGS our services enable you to deliver well-designed, functional, durable and safe products to your customers. We have the furniture industry, regulatory and technical expertise to check your products' compliance against relevant standards and /or your own specifications. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information or visit our website.

For enquiries, please contact:

Priscille GalceranGlobal Furniture Expert
t: +0033 6 20 09 86 14

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