In an effort to improve public safety, particularly in relation to fire-related incidents, the government has enacted strict laws requiring non-domestic furniture to have fire-resistant upholstery textiles. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) IS 15768:2008 standards must be met by all upholstery components used in public areas as of October 2023, according the Quality Control Order (QCO).
In public spaces including workplaces, malls, airports, restaurants, subterranean retail complexes, museums, hospitals, houses of worship, and educational institutions, upholstered composites and textiles are covered by the QCO. This ban also applies to any imports of fully assembled furniture or subassemblies with upholstered fabric intended for public use; however, an extension until March 31, 2025, has been granted at the industry’s request.
Additionally, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has been asked by the Ministry of Textiles to incorporate IS 15768:2008 into the QCOs for furniture. With this integration, a thorough framework encompassing all pertinent furniture standards will be made available.This swift move demonstrates the government’s resolve to improve public space fire safety and guarantee that all non-domestic furniture satisfies the strictest safety and quality requirements, protecting people and property in the process.
The government’s larger plan to guarantee quality and safety in essential items includes the QCOs. While many goods do not require BIS certification, compliance with these requirements is increasingly required for strategic items such as fire-retardant upholstery. By requiring that furniture used in public areas adhere to the strictest safety regulations, this law takes a big step toward making these areas safer.