PL21 Sew in label (DOES NOT include interliner) Pack of 100

PL21 Permanent Sew-In Furniture Fire Safety Label, No Interliner

The PL21 Permanent Sew-In Furniture Fire Safety Label is a durable upholstery identification label made for qualifying furniture manufactured without a Schedule 3 fire-resistant interliner.

An essential component of compliant furniture identification, the PL21 sew-in label is intended to remain securely attached to the finished upholstered item, providing information about its fire-safety construction and supporting identification throughout the furniture's useful life.

Unlike traditional removable furniture swing tickets, permanent upholstery fire labels are designed to remain with the furniture rather than being removed after purchase.

The PL21 label is specifically intended for qualifying furniture with a match-resistant outer cover, suitable filling materials and the relevant composite fire-performance evidence.

It is widely applicable to the professional upholstery and furniture manufacturing industries, including sofas, armchairs, upholstered seating and other appropriate items covered by the relevant regulations.

For furniture using an appropriate fire-resistant interliner, see the alternative PL22 Permanent Sew-In Fire Safety Label, Includes Interliner.

For optional point-of-sale labelling of suitable match-resistant upholstery covers, the DL7 Furniture Fire Safety Swing Ticket provides a complementary removable display label.

What Is a PL21 Permanent Furniture Fire Safety Label?

A PL21 label is a permanent sew-in furniture identification label intended for upholstered furniture constructed without a Schedule 3 fire-resistant interliner.

The label identifies a specific upholstery construction in which the outer cover satisfies the relevant match-resistance requirements and the foams, fillings and composite construction meet the applicable fire-performance requirements.

Permanent furniture compliance labels form part of the identification and traceability system associated with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, as amended.

The purpose of a permanent fire label is to provide lasting information about the finished upholstered furniture rather than temporary information intended only for display before purchase.

The PL21 label includes a space for recording a batch or identification number, allowing the manufacturer or supplier to associate the finished furniture with relevant production and material records.

The label wording refers to the absence of a Schedule 3 interliner, the testing of fillings and construction, cigarette resistance and match resistance.

A PL21 label should only be fitted where the actual materials, furniture construction and supporting test evidence substantiate the statements on the label.

Attaching a PL21 label does not itself certify a piece of furniture or demonstrate that it meets the relevant legislation.

For alternative label constructions, see PL22 Sew-In Fire Safety Labels and Furniture Fire Labels Category.

PL21 Permanent Sew-In Label Specifications

• Product reference: PL21.
• Product type: Permanent sew-in furniture fire safety label.
• Interliner designation: Does Not Include Interliner.
• Intended construction: Qualifying upholstered furniture without a Schedule 3 interliner.
• Cover designation: Match-resistant outer upholstery cover.
• Fire-performance information: Relates to the cover, fillings and relevant composite construction.
• Identification: Space for a batch or identification number.
• Attachment method: Sewn securely into an appropriate part of the upholstery construction.
• Pack options: 100 or 1,000 labels.
• Primary users: Furniture manufacturers, professional upholsterers, furniture restorers and suppliers.
• Purpose: Permanent identification and fire-safety information for suitable finished upholstered furniture.
• Related products: PL22 permanent label, DL7 swing ticket, upholstery sewing threads and sewing needles.

These labels are suitable for businesses producing upholstered furniture where the PL21 wording accurately reflects the finished construction.

Why Permanent Upholstery Fire Labels Are Important

Permanent furniture fire safety labels provide information intended to remain accessible after the furniture has been sold and placed into use.

A removable swing ticket may provide visible information when furniture is displayed for sale, but it is normally removed by the customer afterwards.

Permanent labels are different. They are designed to remain attached and provide lasting identification of the furniture and relevant fire-safety information.

This can be important for manufacturers, retailers, subsequent owners and other businesses seeking to identify a furniture item's declared construction.

Under the relevant furniture fire safety regulations, permanent labelling remains an important part of the legal framework for products falling within scope.

Appropriate labels also support traceability by helping manufacturers associate furniture with production batches and the relevant supplier documentation.

For professional upholstery workshops, including the correct label during manufacture is generally more practical than attempting to add it after the furniture has been fully upholstered.

Understanding the PL21 No Interliner Designation

The wording Does Not Include Interliner identifies the construction route for which the PL21 label is intended.

A Schedule 3 interliner is a specialist fire-resistant barrier material that may be used beneath certain upholstery covers where the applicable regulations permit that construction.

The PL21 label is made for furniture that does not incorporate such an interliner.

In this construction, the outer upholstery cover must meet the relevant match-resistance requirements and the other components must satisfy the applicable fire-performance conditions.

Importantly, the absence of an interliner is not, by itself, sufficient reason to select PL21.

The cover material must have suitable evidence of match resistance, while the fillings and the relevant composite construction must also meet the applicable requirements.

Manufacturers should establish the correct construction before selecting or attaching a furniture fire safety label.

For furniture requiring an approved interliner,

Where the furniture instead incorporates the appropriate interliner construction, the PL22 Permanent Sew-In Fire Label may be the appropriate alternative.

Match-Resistant Upholstery Covers and Fire Safety

A match-resistant upholstery cover is a material that satisfies the applicable match ignition resistance requirements for the intended furniture construction.

These requirements help establish how the covering material performs when exposed to the specified ignition source under the relevant testing conditions.

A wide variety of furnishing materials may be used as upholstery covers, including woven textiles, synthetic fabrics and other suitable materials. However, their suitability cannot be established from their appearance, composition or product name alone.

Manufacturers and upholsterers should obtain appropriate technical information and relevant fire-test documentation for the actual fabric being used.

Different materials, backing treatments or fabric variants may have different fire-performance characteristics, so the supporting documentation must correspond to the cover selected.

The PL21 label is intended for a qualifying construction in which the outer cover is match resistant and no Schedule 3 interliner is included.

A match-resistant cover does not remove the need to consider the fire performance of the furniture's fillings and composite construction.

For professional upholstery applications,

All foam and filling materials must be selected according to the performance and safety requirements applicable to the finished furniture.

How to Attach PL21 Permanent Sew-In Fire Labels

PL21 labels are intended to be sewn securely into the upholstery construction so they remain attached to the furniture throughout its useful life.

The label is normally positioned in a suitable seam or other appropriate part of the furniture, where it remains accessible for identification without detracting from the visible finished upholstery.

The precise location and attachment method should be selected with reference to the furniture design and applicable permanent labelling requirements.

A permanent label should not be attached in a manner that allows it to be easily removed without affecting the upholstery construction.

For furniture manufacturers and professional upholsterers, sewing the label into an appropriate seam during production is a practical method of achieving a durable attachment.

The label should remain legible, with the relevant identification details completed and accessible.

Upholstery Sewing Threads

Select a suitable sewing thread according to the cover fabric, seam construction and intended application.

Upholstery Needles and Sewing Tools

The Upholstery Needles, Pins and Skewers range includes tools used for hand sewing, upholstery finishing and traditional furniture work.

The attachment method should suit the label and upholstery construction while maintaining the label's permanent identification function.

PL21 or PL22, Choosing the Correct Permanent Furniture Label

Choosing the correct label is important because the wording must accurately describe the finished furniture.

PL21, Does Not Include Interliner

The PL21 label is intended for qualifying furniture where:

• No Schedule 3 interliner is included.
• The outer cover meets the applicable match-resistance requirements.
• The covers and fillings meet the relevant cigarette-resistance requirements.
• The foam, filling materials and composite construction meet the applicable performance requirements.
• The permanent label wording accurately describes the completed furniture.

Where these conditions are satisfied, PL21 provides the appropriate no-interliner label designation.

PL22, Includes Interliner

The PL22 Permanent Sew-In Fire Safety Label, Includes Interliner is intended for qualifying furniture incorporating a Schedule 3 fire-resistant interliner.

This construction may permit certain non-match-resistant cover materials to be used with a suitable approved barrier, subject to specific requirements.

An ordinary upholstery lining cloth should not automatically be treated as a Schedule 3 interliner.

Manufacturers must establish that the actual interliner and complete furniture construction meet the appropriate technical requirements.

Which Label Should You Choose?

The choice between PL21 and PL22 must be based on the actual construction and supporting test evidence.

Choose PL21 for a qualifying no-interliner construction with a match-resistant cover.

Choose PL22 for a qualifying Schedule 3 interliner construction where the printed label wording accurately describes the furniture.

For associated materials, see Fire-Resistant Interliners and Upholstery Lining Cloths.

PL21 and DL7, Permanent Labels Versus Swing Tickets

The PL21 permanent furniture fire safety label and DL7 hanging swing ticket are complementary products, but they perform different functions.

PL21 Permanent Sew-In Label

The PL21 label is sewn securely into the upholstery and is intended to remain attached to the furniture.

It provides information relating to the furniture's fire-safety construction and identification.

Permanent labels remain subject to the applicable regulatory requirements for furniture within scope.

DL7 Furniture Fire Safety Swing Ticket

The DL7 Furniture Fire Safety Swing Ticket, Cover Match Resistant is a removable display label traditionally stapled onto finished upholstered furniture.

It is used to communicate the match-resistant cover designation visibly at the point of sale.

Unlike PL21, the DL7 swing ticket is not intended to remain permanently attached.

Following the October 2025 amendments to the furniture fire safety regulations, these display labels are no longer compulsory for new furniture covered by the amended requirements.

However, they may continue to be used voluntarily where the information is accurate.

A DL7 swing ticket does not replace the relevant permanent furniture label.

Both label types are available in Status Fabrics' Furniture Fire Safety Labels Range.

UK Furniture Fire Safety Regulations and Permanent Labelling

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, as amended, establish fire-performance and identification requirements for specified upholstered furniture supplied in the United Kingdom.

These requirements relate to the suitability of furniture materials, the performance of covers and fillings, and the identification of completed furniture.

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 introduced changes effective from 30 October 2025.

One significant change was the removal of the requirement for manufacturers to attach hanging fire safety display labels to new upholstered furniture.

Previously, labels such as the DL6 and DL7 swing tickets were used to satisfy the display label requirements.

The 2025 amendments did not remove the requirement for appropriate permanent labelling of furniture that remains within the regulations' scope.

Permanent labels continue to provide information relevant to the identification and fire-safety construction of applicable furniture.

The specific label and information required depend on the furniture type, intended market, construction and relevant provisions.

Businesses must also retain suitable evidence demonstrating that the furniture and its materials satisfy the applicable fire-performance requirements.

Simply attaching a PL21 label does not make an otherwise unsuitable furniture item compliant.

For complementary product identification options,

Furniture Identification, Batch Numbers and Traceability

Permanent furniture fire labels can help support identification and traceability throughout the manufacture, supply and subsequent ownership of upholstered furniture.

The PL21 label includes a space for recording a batch or identification number.

This number can be used to associate a finished piece of furniture with relevant manufacturing records and supplier documentation.

Depending on the manufacturer's production arrangements, these records may include:

• The furniture model or product identification.
• Production dates and batch references.
• Cover fabric details and relevant test documentation.
• Foam and filling material specifications.
• Supplier and material references.
• Records supporting cigarette and match-resistance requirements.
• Information relating to the completed furniture construction.

Clear identification records can make it easier to investigate material specifications, customer enquiries and product safety concerns.

Manufacturers should ensure that any details entered on the label are accurate, legible and consistent with their supporting records.

The batch number field should not be left incomplete where it forms part of the information required for the chosen label and construction.

Applications for PL21 Permanent Upholstery Fire Labels

PL21 permanent sew-in labels may be suitable for a variety of upholstery manufacturing and furniture supply applications where the finished furniture meets the relevant requirements.

Typical users include:

• Sofa manufacturers: Producing upholstered seating with appropriate match-resistant covers and no Schedule 3 interliner.
• Armchair manufacturers: Attaching permanent identification labels to qualifying upholstered chairs.
• Professional upholsterers: Manufacturing or reupholstering furniture where permanent labelling requirements apply.
• Furniture restoration workshops: Working on furniture intended for supply or resale, subject to the applicable requirements.
• Independent furniture makers: Producing small batches of upholstered furniture.
• Furniture wholesalers: Supplying suitably identified upholstered furniture.
• Specialist upholstery manufacturers: Maintaining accurate identification and production records.

The correct labelling arrangements must be determined according to the actual furniture construction, its intended use and the regulations applying to its supply.

Related Upholstery Materials and Workroom Supplies

In addition to permanent furniture fire safety labels,

Upholstery Sewing Threads and Needles

The Sewing Threads and Twines include products for suitable upholstery sewing and finishing applications.

For hand-sewing and specialist upholstery work, see Needles, Pins and Skewers range.

Upholstery Foam Sheets

Foam should be selected according to its intended use, comfort requirements, durability and applicable fire-performance specifications.

Polyester Wadding

The Polyester Wadding range includes upholstery padding and wrapping materials.

Wadding is commonly used around suitable foam cushions to soften the appearance of upholstery edges and create a smoother finished profile.

When wrapping foam cushions, suitable Status Fabrics Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive can be used to secure the polyester wadding to the foam, helping prevent shifting and bunching during cover fitting.

Upholstery Linings and Interliners

The Calico, Interliner and Cambric Range includes upholstery lining fabrics and specialist barrier materials for appropriately specified furniture constructions.

A Schedule 3 fire-resistant interliner is not used in the PL21 construction, but these products may be relevant to customers manufacturing furniture requiring the alternative PL22 label.

Upholstery Workroom Supplies

see Workroom Supplies for related furniture manufacturing consumables, sewing materials, fastening products and upholstery accessories.

The PL21 Permanent Sew-In Furniture Fire Safety Label is made for qualifying upholstered furniture manufactured without a Schedule 3 fire-resistant interliner. This permanent upholstery fire label identifies furniture with a match-resistant outer cover and suitable fillings and composite construction that meet the relevant UK furniture fire safety requirements.

Unlike removable furniture swing tickets, PL21 labels are intended to remain securely attached to the finished furniture, providing lasting product identification and fire-safety information.

Product features and applications:

• Product reference: PL21 permanent furniture fire label.
• Construction: Does not include a Schedule 3 interliner.
• Cover requirement: Match-resistant upholstery cover.
• Label type: Permanent sew-in furniture compliance label.
• Identification: Includes space for a batch or identification number.
• Applications: Qualifying sofas, armchairs and other domestic upholstered furniture.
• Pack quantities: 100 or 1,000 labels.
• Users: Professional upholsterers, furniture manufacturers, reupholstery workshops and furniture suppliers.

Associated fire safety labels: For furniture incorporating a suitable interliner, choose the PL22 Permanent Sew-In Label, Includes Interliner. For optional point-of-sale identification of match-resistant covers, see the DL7 Furniture Fire Safety Swing Ticket.

For an alternative upholstery construction using a non-match-resistant cover and suitable interliner, see the DL6 Furniture Fire Safety Swing Ticket.

Complete your upholstery projects with the Sewing Threads and Twines, Upholstery Needles and Upholstery Foam Sheets.

see the Furniture Fire Safety Labels Range for related permanent labels and removable swing tickets.