What is the difference between flame retardant cable and fire resistant cable?

Flame retardant cable is designed to reduce flame spread. Its purpose is to prevent fire from propagating along the cable route.
Fire resistant cable is designed to maintain circuit integrity for a defined time during fire.
Fire resistant cables are used for emergency lighting, fire alarm circuits, smoke extraction systems, fire pumps, and other life safety systems.
These two terms are not the same. A cable can be flame retardant without being fire resistant.