Tuesday, July 6, 2021 On June 25, 2021, the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) new standard addressing the flammability of upholstered furniture went into effect. 1 The rule adopts California Technical Bulletin 117-2013—applicable to upholstered furniture sold in the state since 2015. Comments to the CPSC’s new rule from industry stakeholders and interested parties reflect a variety of viewpoints, ranging from total support to complete criticism. While the CPSC considered none of the comments significantly adverse enough to withdraw the rule, commentators suspect this will not be the agency’s last action on the topic. The New Furniture Flammability Standard The new furniture flammability standard is part of the CPSC’s effort to implement the COVID-19 Regulatory Relief and Work From Home Safety Act that Congress signed into law on December 27, 2020 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. That law and the CPSC’s new rule incorporate the California Technical Bulletin for testing the smolder resistance of materials used in upholstered furniture—TB 117-2013.