LOFA announces “LOFAssured” initiative to ensure all cushions sold by members comply with Trading Standard’s and FIRA’s fire safety regulations...

The run up to SOLEX, the UK’s most prominent trade show for garden furniture and barbeques, sees LOFA (Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association) focusing on raising awareness of fire safety standards/regulations for garden cushions in a new campaign – LOFAssured.

This new LOFAssured initiative will be launched at the Solex show which runs from 11-13 July 2017 at the NEC in Birmingham. One of the conditions of LOFA membership is that members must adhere to a code of conduct, part of which is compliance with all current legislation; it is this culture of propriety that the retailer and customer buy into when they source product from LOFA members.

LOFA has appointed FIRA (Furniture Industry Research Association) and entered into a Primary Authority Partnership with Hertfordshire Trading Standards to aid the members in their quest for full compliance.

It is a condition of membership that all LOFA members are fully compliant and authorised to display the new LOFAssured logo. The message “look for LOFAssured products and buy from a LOFA member. Take comfort in being fully covered by the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 and 1993”  will be promoted to retailers and consumers from January 2018 and throughout the 2018 season and beyond.

LOFAssured will prove a distinguishing factor setting LOFA products apart from other non-compliant suplliers.

Solex will host an information stand attended by representatives from FIRA and Hertfordshire Trading Standards officers.  Members and buyers can check out the full compliance regulations so that, throughout the supply chain, all are fully informed about the issue and the benefits of purchasing products from LOFA members.

That is the job of LOFA as the industry’s trade association – to protect members and their customers.