2024 HFA DC Fly-In Recap In the heart of the nation’s capital, Washington DC, the HFA Government Relations Action Team embarked on a mission to champion the interests of the furniture industry. Through pivotal meetings with key legislators and policymakers, the team delved into pressing issues ranging from safety standards
Are you battling zoning restrictions in your local community? Do labor laws and sales tax compliance change regularly in your state? Are you aware of the federal and state data security and privacy regulations? Are you compliant with the newly enacted STURDY ACT affecting all home furnishings retailers? As a
The STURDY Act (Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth) was passed by Congress and signed into law as ASTM F 20657-23, effective on September 2, 2023. The Home Furnishings Association supports furniture safety and the STURDY regulations. Unfortunately, consumers can still find non-compliant clothing storage units in secondary-market
Over the last 18 months, HFA has engaged with industry, congressional, consumer safety, parents, and regulatory stakeholders to advocate for a consensus-driven mandatory stability standard for clothing storage units (CSU). Clothing storage unit compliance efforts culminated in the passage of the STURDY Act (Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on
On the surface, HFA DC Fly-In, our in-person advocacy visit scheduled in late May, would be simply going through the motions. Our primary issue of the last year, the tip-over controversy, is over, except for compliance. Then we unknowingly timed our visit to coincide with the debt ceiling crisis, which
Finally, the CPSC has seen the pathway to stronger child safety standards supported by all stakeholders. Thanks to the combined efforts of manufacturers, through our colleagues at the American Home Furnishings Alliance, and retailers through HFA, the CPSC will finally focus on adhering to the STURDY Act (now law) and
Of all the advocacy discussions and debates we weighed in on in 2022 that impacted our industry, legislation surrounding furniture tip-over and clothing storage units for children topped the list. Our industry has consistently pushed for a mandatory standard for clothing storage units for over a decade, with child safety
It has been a tumultuous year for home furnishings retailers and their consumers as we have navigated various macroeconomic issues. We have seen inflation with rising energy costs, supply chain disruptions, lingering COVID-19 impacts, and regulatory and legislative efforts on clothing storage unit tip-overs. In May of 2022, the Home
After months of stalled negotiations, congressional Democrats were able to move broad climate, clean energy, and health care legislation in the first two weeks of August. This bill, called the Inflation Reduction Act and signed into law by President Biden, is smaller than the original ‘Build Back Better’ proposal but
Nothing drives congressional activity like a deadline – in this case, the August recess and November midterm elections have created a unique environment spurring action on priority issues for both parties. Democrats have controlled the White House, House, and Senate since January 2021 but cannot advance large parts of their
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Generational Consumer Buying Trends for 2025 Our expert panel will delve into the ever-changing landscape of consumer buying habits, focusing on how generational preferences and
Government Affairs Impacting the Home Furnishings Industry in 2025 Stay informed and prepared for 2025 with an exclusive webinar featuring HFA lobbyists as they share
Discover how to ensure your business remains compliant, competitive, and well-informed about the legislative policies shaping the home furnishings industry.
Learn how to optimize your customer journey, integrate technology solutions, and develop a retail model that meets the expectations of
