I refer to the letter from Ivan Dai of the Interior Design Association on foam furniture (South China Morning Post, February 8).
I would like to assure Mr Dai and your readers that the Government attaches great importance to ensuring the safety of consumer goods, including polyurethane foam-filled furniture, sold in Hong Kong.
Under the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance, manufacturers, importers and suppliers are required to ensure that all consumer goods which they supply for local consumption are reasonably safe. The ordinance requires that all consumer goods must fulfil the general safety requirement.
In respect of mattresses and upholstered furniture, the Commissioner of Customs and Excise has promulgated some flammability standards currently adopted by other developed economies. Where flammability is concerned, compliance with these standards would likely be considered as having met the general safety requirement.
CHEUNG SIU-HING for Secretary for Trade and Industry
