Policy Matters

Money and calculator on table with the US flag overlaid.
Home Furnishings Association
3/7/2025 Update: Tariffs and US Trade Developments

Week of March 7, 2025 As home furnishings retailers, staying informed about legislative and trade developments is crucial for navigating our industry’s evolving landscape. This week, several significant actions by the U.S. government have emerged, potentially influencing our industry now and in the future. 1. Implementation of New Tariffs on

Work and management concept. EXECUTIVE ORDER written on adhesive paper. Blurred styled background.
Home Furnishings Association
Tariffs, Executive Orders, and Their Impacts on the Home Furnishings Industry

Staying Informed and Getting Involved: What Home Furnishings Retailers Need to Know Today, home furnishings retailers face growing challenges from legislative shifts, executive orders, and trade policies. The Home Furnishings Association (HFA) serves as the industry’s trusted source for timely and actionable legislative advocacy insights, ensuring furniture retailers are prepared

Home Furnishings Association
HFA DC Fly-In: Advocating for the Furniture Industry 2024

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

Young girl child climbing on modern high dresser furniture, danger of dresser dipping over concept. Children home hazards.
Home Furnishings User
Important Safety Reminder with Tip-Over and the STURDY Act

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

Clothing Storage Unit with little girl
Home Furnishings User
Clothing Storage Unit Compliance – A Sturdy Act 2023 Update

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

HFA Board Members and GRAT Team in Washington DC
Mark Schumacher
HFA DC Fly-In 2023: Crisis Management

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

Law books about consumer protection and a gavel on desk in the library. Concept of legal education.
Home Furnishings User
CPSC’s Pathway To Stronger Child Safety Standards

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

Baby standing in front of dresser with one drawer opened.
Home Furnishings User
Significant Tip-Over Changes in 2023

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

HFA Advocacy Efforts in 2022
Chris Andresen
Recap of HFA Advocacy Efforts in 2022

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

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