Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation (Bearhfti)

the bureau of electronic and appliance repair, home furnishings and thermal insulation (bearhfti) was established within the department of consumer affairs in 2009. prior to joining forces, the bureau of home furnishings and thermal insulation (hfti) was established in 1911 in response to the unscrupulous mattress manufacturing practices in the industry which contributed to the fires following the 1906 san francisco earthquake. the hfti side of the bureau regulates bedding and furniture manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, retailers, supply dealers, custom upholsterers, sanitizers and manufacturers of thermal insulation. the bureau of electronic and appliance repair (ear) was established in 1963, in response to fraud and negligence in the television repair industry. in 1973, the repair of major home appliances was added to ear’s regulatory authority. as technology evolved, the bureau’s regulation has been revised to add such items as microwave ovens, personal computers, satellite acc