Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS) announced it will revoke the Upholstered and Stuffed Articles Regulation that protects Ontario consumers from unclean and unsafe stuffing in consumer goods such as upholstered furniture, stuffed toys, bedding, mattresses, and winter coats.

The regulation to be revoked requires that product manufacturers attach an approved label to their products and register with the Ontario Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), enabling traceability should a safety issue arise. Labels must also be placed on used articles such as mattresses that are returned to retailers and re-sold to consumers. TSSA inspectors will lose the authority to enter premises, inspect products, and write correction orders – including ordering the destruction of an article believed to pose a danger to public health.

The Consumers Council of Canada has published a Consumer Perspective 360° report Perspective on Ontario’s Revocation of the Upholstered and Stuffed Articles Regulation concerning the regulatory change and suggesting options for consumers seeking to minimize risks of harm or identify products using regulated content labeling subject to inspection. The report can be obtained from the Council’s ebookstore.

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