Table of Contents
Why Fire Safety Labels Are Non Negotiable in UK Homes
Every single piece of upholstered furniture in British homes has to carry a proper fire safety label. The law covers sofas, chairs, mattresses, divans, bed bases, cushions and headboards. These safety labels for furniture prove the item meets the strict fire resistance rules that have saved hundreds of lives since they started.
Missing labels turn ordinary household items into illegal products overnight. Trading Standards officers check display labelling on every sofa or mattress they see. One small missing tag can stop a sale or land someone with a heavy fine.
The Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) Safety Regulations 1988 – still law in 2025
The regulations 1988 with updates in 1993 and 2010 remain the exact same rules today. They apply to all products containing upholstery including foam, filling, interliner and cover fabric. Every composite part has to pass the cigarette test and match test before the item leaves the factory.
Manufacturers must attach permanent label wording that shows compliance with UK fire safety regulations. The label has to stay readable for the whole life of the furniture. Green labels with the triangle symbol are the ones Trading Standards look for first.
What happens if your sofa has no fire label? Trading Standards fines explained
A sofa without a fire label becomes unsellable the moment it leaves the workshop. Private sellers on marketplaces get their listings removed daily. Shops face unlimited fines and prosecution under the general product safety regulations 2005.
Officers carry out spot checks in stores and warehouses. They seize items of furniture that fail flammability tests or lack proper fire safety tags. Re upholsterers who forget to add new labels after changing covers receive the same penalties as big factories.
Meet Our Best Selling Fire Safety Labels (Ready for Immediate Dispatch)
HiQ Furnishings keeps thousands of packs in stock every single day. Both versions ship the same day when orders arrive before 2pm. Customers across the UK receive their fire retardant labels next morning.
DL7 Fire Safety Hanging Labels – the green triangle tag every upholsterer trusts
The famous DL7 fire safety hanging labels come with strong string already attached for quick tying and attachment. Each green label measures 140mm × 70mm and carries the full permanent wording required by law.The reinforced eyelet never tears even when customers pull hard. Professionals hang one tag from the front rail of every sofa or chair. The bright green colour stands out exactly where Trading Standards expect to see it.
Furniture Sew On Fire Labels – permanent black text that never fades
Our furniture sew on fire labels use tough white fabric with heat fixed black ink that survives repeated washing at 40°C. Each label gives clear BS5852 labels wording plus the all important “carelessness causes fire” warning.Upholsterers stitch them permanently to cushion platforms or fixed covers. The text stays perfect for years even on loose cover items that go through regular cleaning.
| Feature | DL7 Hanging Labels | Sew On Fire Labels |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 140mm × 70mm | 100mm × 50mm |
| Fixing method | String for tying and attachment | Stitched permanently |
| Wash proof | Not designed for washing | Survives 40°C wash cycles |
| Pack quantity | 10 labels per pack | 10 labels per pack |
| Compliance text | Full permanent wording + green triangle | Full BS5852 wording + carelessness warning |
Exact Features That Make Our Labels Compliant & Easy to Use
Every pack leaves our warehouse with FIRA approved wording printed in permanent ink. The text matches exactly what the fire safety advice centre demands for full compliance.
BS5852 & Crib 5 compliant wording printed in permanent ink
Both labels show the complete statement “This article complies with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 as amended”. The ink never smudges or fades even after years of use.Factories and small workshops trust these exact words because Trading Standards accept nothing less. The wording covers every part from outer cover to inner foam and interliner.
Reinforced eyelet + string on DL7 hanging labels – zero chance of tearing
Each DL7 tag comes with thick cotton string threaded through a metal reinforced eyelet. The string stays knotted tight and the eyelet never pulls through the card.Customers tie them to frames in seconds. The label swings freely so inspectors spot the green triangle instantly from across the room.
Sew on labels survive 40° wash cycles – perfect for loose covers
The fabric versions handle regular washing without losing a single letter. Professional cleaners confirm the black text stays sharp after dozens of cycles.Loose cover makers stitch one label to the platform and another to the underside of each cushion. Both stay fully readable for the lifetime of the covers.
What Does a Fire Safety Label Look Like on a Sofa?
Real customers send us photos every week showing exactly where they place their labels. The green triangle always hangs from the front edge of the seat base.
Green triangle swing tag position – where Trading Standards look first
Inspectors walk straight to the front of every sofa and lift the cushion. They expect to see the DL7 green label swinging clearly in view.The bright colour and large text make checking instant. One quick glance tells them the item meets UK regulations.
Sew on label placement on cushions and fixed covers
Fixed upholstery gets the white fabric label stitched to the underside of the seat platform. Removable cushions carry the same label on the zip tape or base fabric.Both positions keep the wording visible when cushions are lifted. Trading Standards never need to search hard.
Fire Safety Labels for Mattresses – Don’t Forget the Bed
The same DL7 green label works perfectly on every mattress, divan and ottoman. The law treats beds exactly like sofas.
Same DL7 green label works on divans and ottomans
Hang one DL7 tag from the handle or piping of every divan base. Add another to the mattress itself if it contains upholstery.The identical wording covers BS 7177 requirements for both domestic and contract beds. One pack labels several complete bed sets.
Customer Reviews – Real UK Upholsterers & Furniture Makers
Nothing beats hearing it straight from the people who use these labels every day. Over 48 verified five star reviews sit under our DL7 hanging labels on https://hiqfurnishings.com/ and the stories keep coming in.
“Ordered 200 packs last year and never had a single label returned. Trading Standards walked through the workshop last month, looked at three sofas and just nodded. Best money I ever spent.” Mark, Manchester sofa maker.
Another customer wrote: “My sew on labels went through the industrial washer at 40°C with loose covers and the text is still perfect. Customers keep asking where I get them because the big suppliers always run out.”
Saved me from a £5k fine – actual customer story
Last spring Darren from Birmingham messaged us in panic. He had just finished ten re upholstered armchairs for a hotel contract and realised every single one was missing the permanent fire label. The hotel inspector was due the next morning.
We posted two packs of DL7 hanging labels and three packs of sew on versions at 1:45pm. They landed on his doorstep at 9:12am. He tied and stitched them all before 11am. The inspector arrived at noon, checked every chair and signed the job off. Darren still sends us a Christmas card every year.
Common Google Questions Answered Fast
People search the same things every single day and we answer them here so you don’t have to dig around.
Furniture fire safety labels UK – where to buy same day dispatch
Right here on https://hiqfurnishings.com/. Order before 2pm Monday to Friday and your fire retardant labels leave the warehouse the same day. Thousands of upholsterers order from us weekly because we never run out.
No fire label on sofa – can I still sell it?
No. The second a sofa leaves your workshop without a compliant fire safety label it becomes illegal to supply. Online marketplaces remove listings instantly and Trading Standards issue unlimited fines.
Fire safety labels B&Q vs specialist supplier
Big DIY stores sometimes have one pack on the shelf that costs more and usually sells out. We keep every type of upholstery fire label in stock all year and ship next day free.
How to get rid of furniture without a fire label – legal options
You can’t sell it or give it away as upholstered furniture. The only legal route is to remove all fabric and foam then dispose of the bare frame as wood waste or send the whole item to licensed bulk refuse that accepts flammable furniture.
Why HiQ Furnishings Is the UK’s #1 Choice for Fire Retardant Labels
Small workshops and big factories keep coming back for the same reasons.
Same day dispatch before 2pm – in stock 52 weeks a year
We hold over 40,000 packs ready on the shelf. Bank holidays included. When you ring at 1:30pm and need labels for tomorrow morning we never say “sorry we’re waiting for stock”.
Free next day delivery on all label packs
Every single order of fire safety tags ships free next day before 1pm. No minimum spend. No catch. Just fast compliant labels in your hands when you need them.
1.What is a furniture label and why does every sofa need one?
A furniture label is the official fire safety tag that proves your sofa or chair meets UK safety standards. Without it the item counts as flammable and cannot be sold or supplied to anyone.
2.How do upholstery labels differ from regular safety labels for furniture?
Upholstery labels cover the whole assembly – cover fabric plus foam plus interliner. Regular safety labels for furniture only apply to wooden or metal parts that don’t burn.
3.Are your fire safety tags compliant with current product safety regulations?
Yes. Both DL7 hanging labels and sew on labels carry the exact wording Trading Standards demand under the 1988 regulations as amended.
4.Do I need fire resistant labels on furniture that already has Crib 5 foam?
yes. The foam might be fire resistant but the law still demands visible labels proving the complete item passes cigarette and match tests.
5.Can I use these as upholster tags near a fire extinguisher or fire alarm point?
No. These are furniture specific tags. Fire extinguisher and alarm signs are totally separate and must stay on walls.
6.What fixing options do your safety stickers and labels have?
DL7 come with string ready for tying and attachment. Sew on versions stitch in permanently. Some customers add self adhesive backing for temporary display.
7.Will the ink on your upholstery labels run if covers go through the wash?
Never. The black text survives 40°C wash cycles without fading – perfect for loose covers that get cleaned regularly.
8.Are adhesive fire safety tags allowed instead of tying and attachment?
Only if the customer accepts them. Trading Standards prefer stitched or tied labels because adhesive can peel over time.
9.Do I need to label replacement foam inside cushions?
Yes. New foam needs its own markings and the finished cushion still requires the full fire safety label on the outer cover.
10.Where should I position safety stickers on a sofa for Trading Standards inspection?
Green DL7 tag hangs from the front rail under the seat cushion. Sew on label stitches to the platform or underside of the cushion so both stay visible.
Grab Your Compliant Fire Safety Labels Before Your Next Inspection
Don’t wait for the knock on the door. One pack of ten labels takes thirty seconds to add and saves thousands in fines.
Call 01924 463262 | Email sales@hiqfurnishings.com | Chat live now on https://hiqfurnishings.com/