Wedding Daily™ January 6, 2014 | Page 12

The U.S. Flammability Act

The U.S Flammable Fabrics Act is an act that was established in 1953. It was passed to regulate the manufacture of highly flammable clothing. It was enacted after a series of tragic deaths in the 1940’s involving children who were wearing long cowboy chaps or rayon sweaters.

The Flammable Fabrics Act of 1953 originally placed enforcement authority with the Federal Trade Commission. In 1967, Congress amended the Flammable Fabrics Act to expanded it’s coverage to include interior furnishings as well as paper, plastic, foam and other materials used in wearing apparel and interior furnishings.

Under the Flammable Fabrics Act, CPSC can issue mandatory flammability standards. Responsibility for administering the FFA was transferred to the CPSC

when it was created in 1972. Standards have been established for the flammability of clothing textiles, carpets, rugs, children’s sleepwear, vinyl plastic film which is used in clothing, and mattresses including mattress pads.

For every single wedding dress shop, they must meet a requirement that certain textiles items must be checked before selling. Wedding dresses are all checked before selling, they are in the top ten list for the most flammable clothing. Every wedding or upholstery fabrics must meet agreed flammability standards.

Page 11