Potentially dangerous furniture is being brought into the UK from Eastern Europe, a watchdog has warned.


Many sofas from Poland fail to meet strict UK safety standards, the Trading Standards Institute said. The cheap upholstered furniture often ends up on the UK’s black market.

It could pose a “serious risk” to the public because it does not meet strict UK fire safety regulations, the TSI said.

The furniture is often sold by door-to-door salesmen, or advertised as second-hand in newspaper classifieds.

TSI chairman David Roderick said “potentially lethal” furniture coming into Britain from Poland was a major concern.

He said the problem had worsened since the 2004 EU expansion.

“Tests have shown that much of this furniture is unsafe and that the British public is being exposed to considerable risk,” he added.

Mr Roderick has written to the Polish Embassy and the Department of Trade and Industry calling for tighter controls on the imported furniture.