CFMA to host talk on proposed California flammability rules

Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, March 20, 2013

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Tonya Blood, chief of the Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation, will speak here Friday to members and guests of the California Furniture Manufacturers Assn. on the state's proposed new upholstered furniture flammability standard.

Blood will speak at the Business Expo Center in Anaheim. The event is free and the invitation is open to manufactures, suppliers, wholesalers, retailers and sales representatives. For more information or to RSVP, call (714) 550-0055 or e-mail info@cfma.com.

The rule has been proceeding quickly through the BHFTI after a directive from Gov. Jerry Brown for revision last year.

The draft proposal, TB-117 2013, would change the rule to require a smolder-only test to determine whether upholstery fabrics are safe enough. Many anticipate that without the current open flame test requirement, the use of chemical flame retardants in furniture foam will cease.

The draft released in February is patterned after ASTM E-1353-08a, which is based on the Upholstered Furniture Action Council method. The test shifts the emphasis from foam to seat coverings.

The rule was released on Feb. 8, marking the start of a six-week written comment period ending March 26, when the BHFTI will hold a hearing in Sacramento and accept public comments.

Blood said last month at the American Home Furnishings Alliance Sustainability Summit that she anticipates the agency reviewing comments during April with a likely schedule an additional 15- day comment period in May or June.