M/309 - Drawstrings childrens clothing
Mandate to CEN in the area of standardization related to the safety of consumers: drawstrings or cords on children's clothing
Mandate M/309 directs CEN to develop standards concerning the safety of drawstrings or cords on children's clothing. The objective is to enhance consumer protection by addressing hazards associated with these features, aiming to reduce risks of injury to children. This standardization request follows the resolution CEN/BT C39/2001 and focuses on establishing clear safety requirements for manufacturers and relevant stakeholders in the children's apparel sector.
Purpose
The mandate M/309 concerns the standardisation of safety requirements related to drawstrings or cords on children's clothing. Its primary goal is to enhance consumer safety by addressing risks associated with these garment features, which have been linked to accidents and injuries among children.
Standardisation request
This mandate requests CEN (European Committee for Standardization) to develop or revise European standards specifically focused on the safety aspects of drawstrings and cords on children's clothing. The work should identify potential hazards and establish safety criteria to mitigate risks.
Expected deliverables
- European standards detailing safety requirements for drawstrings or cords used in children's garments.
- Guidelines or specifications designed to prevent accidents related to entanglement, strangulation, or other injuries.
Context
Drawstrings and cords on children's clothing have been a recognized safety concern due to incidents where children have been harmed. The European Commission has sought to harmonize safety approaches across Member States by involving CEN in creating standardized safety measures. This mandate reflects a commitment to consumer protection in the textile and apparel sector. The decision reference CEN/BT C39/2001 relates to the approval process for this standardisation task.
This mandate covers the standardisation related to the safety of consumers, specifically focusing on drawstrings or cords on children's clothing.
General Information
This European Standard specifies requirements for cords and drawstrings on children's clothing, including disguise costumes and ski apparel, up to the age of 14 years.
Within the scope of this European Standard, it is not possible to cover all potential hazards that may create an unsafe garment.
Conversely, identifiable specific hazards in certain styles/design of garment might not present a risk for certain age groups.
It is recommended that an individual risk assessment be carried out on any garment in order to ensure that it does not present a hazard to the wearer
This European Standard does not apply to the following (see Annex C for rationale):
a) child use and care articles, for example bibs, nappies and soother holders;
b) shoes, boots and similar footwear;
c) gloves, hats, bonnets and scarves;
d) neckties designed to be worn with a shirt or blouse;
e) belts, with the exception of tied belts which are within scope;
f) braces;
g) religious clothing;
h) celebratory clothing such as that worn at civil or religious ceremonies, national or regional festivals provided this is worn for limited periods and under supervision;
i) specialist sportswear and activity wear generally worn for limited periods and under supervision, for example rugby shorts, wet suits, and dancewear, except where those garments are commonly worn as day wear or night wear;
j) theatrical costumes used for theatrical performances;
k) aprons intended to be worn over day wear, for limited periods and under supervision, to protect clothing from soiling during activities such as painting, cooking, or during meal times;
l) bags and purses.
- Standard38 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This European Standard specifies requirements for cords and drawstrings on children's clothing, including disguise costumes and ski apparel, up to the age of 14 years.
Within the scope of this European Standard, it is not possible to cover all potential hazards that may create an unsafe garment.
Conversely, identifiable specific hazards in certain styles/design of garment might not present a risk for certain age groups.
It is recommended that an individual risk assessment be carried out on any garment in order to ensure that it does not present a hazard to the wearer
This European Standard does not apply to the following (see Annex C for rationale):
a) child use and care articles, for example bibs, nappies and soother holders;
b) shoes, boots and similar footwear;
c) gloves, hats, bonnets and scarves;
d) neckties designed to be worn with a shirt or blouse;
e) belts, with the exception of tied belts which are within scope;
f) braces;
g) religious clothing;
h) celebratory clothing such as that worn at civil or religious ceremonies, national or regional festivals provided this is worn for limited periods and under supervision;
i) specialist sportswear and activity wear generally worn for limited periods and under supervision, for example rugby shorts, wet suits, and dancewear, except where those garments are commonly worn as day wear or night wear;
j) theatrical costumes used for theatrical performances;
k) aprons intended to be worn over day wear, for limited periods and under supervision, to protect clothing from soiling during activities such as painting, cooking, or during meal times;
l) bags and purses.
- Standard38 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This European Standard specifies requirements for cords and drawstrings on children's clothing, including disguise costumes and ski apparel, up to the age of 14 years.
Within the scope of this European Standard, it is not possible to cover all potential hazards that may create an unsafe garment.
Conversely, identifiable specific hazards in certain styles/design of garment might not present a risk for certain age groups.
It is recommended that an individual risk assessment be carried out on any garment in order to ensure that it does not present a hazard to the wearer
This European Standard does not apply to the following (see Annex C for rationale):
a) child use and care articles, for example bibs, nappies and soother holders;
b) shoes, boots and similar footwear;
c) gloves, hats, bonnets and scarves;
d) neckties designed to be worn with a shirt or blouse;
e) belts, with the exception of tied belts which are within scope;
f) braces;
g) religious clothing;
h) celebratory clothing such as that worn at civil or religious ceremonies, national or regional festivals provided this is worn for limited periods and under supervision;
i) specialist sportswear and activity wear generally worn for limited periods and under supervision, for example rugby shorts, wet suits, and dancewear, except where those garments are commonly worn as day wear or night wear;
j) theatrical costumes used for theatrical performances;
k) aprons intended to be worn over day wear, for limited periods and under supervision, to protect clothing from soiling during activities such as painting, cooking, or during meal times;
l) bags and purses.
- Draft43 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This European Standard specifies requirements for cords and drawstrings on children's clothing, including disguise costumes and ski apparel, up to the age of 14 years.
Within the scope of this European Standard, it is not possible to cover all potential hazards that may create an unsafe garment.
Conversely, identifiable specific hazards in certain styles/design of garment might not present a risk for certain age groups.
It is recommended that an individual risk assessment be carried out on any garment in order to ensure that it does not present a hazard to the wearer
This European Standard does not apply to the following (see Annex C for rationale):
a) child use and care articles, for example bibs, nappies and soother holders;
b) shoes, boots and similar footwear;
c) gloves, hats, bonnets and scarves;
d) neckties designed to be worn with a shirt or blouse;
e) belts, with the exception of tied belts which are within scope;
f) braces;
g) religious clothing;
h) celebratory clothing such as that worn at civil or religious ceremonies, national or regional festivals provided this is worn for limited periods and under supervision;
i) specialist sportswear and activity wear generally worn for limited periods and under supervision, for example rugby shorts, wet suits, and dancewear, except where those garments are commonly worn as day wear or night wear;
j) theatrical costumes used for theatrical performances;
k) aprons intended to be worn over day wear, for limited periods and under supervision, to protect clothing from soiling during activities such as painting, cooking, or during meal times;
l) bags and purses.
- Draft43 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This European Standard specifies requirements for cords and drawstrings on children's clothing, including disguise costumes and skiwear, up to the age of 14 years.
Within the scope of this European Standard it is not possible to cover all potential hazards that may create an unsafe garment.
Conversely, identifiable specific hazards in certain styles/design of garment might not present a risk for certain age groups.
NOTE It is recommended that an individual risk assessment is carried out on any garment in order to ensure that it does not present a hazard to the wearer.
This European Standard does not apply to:
a) child use and care articles for example bibs, nappies and soother holders;
b) shoes, boots and similar footwear;
c) gloves, hats, bonnets and scarves;
d) neckties designed to be worn with a shirt or blouse;
e) belts and braces;
f) religious clothing that may be worn all the time, and celebratory clothing such as that worn at civil or religious ceremonies or regional or national festivals;
g) specialist sportswear and activity wear generally worn for limited periods and under supervision, for example rugby shorts, wet suits, and dancewear, except where those garments are commonly worn as day wear or night wear;
h) theatrical costumes used for theatrical performances;
i) aprons intended to be worn over day wear, for limited periods and under supervision, to protect clothing from soiling during activities such as painting, cooking, or during meal times.
- Standard29 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
- Standard – translation27 pagesSlovenian languagee-Library read for1 day
This European Standard specifies requirements for cords and drawstrings on children's clothing, including disguise costumes and skiwear, up to the age of 14 years.
Within the scope of this European Standard it is not possible to cover all potential hazards that may create an unsafe garment.
Conversely, identifiable specific hazards in certain styles/design of garment might not present a risk for certain age groups.
NOTE It is recommended that an individual risk assessment is carried out on any garment in order to ensure that it does not present a hazard to the wearer.
This European Standard does not apply to:
a) child use and care articles for example bibs, nappies and soother holders;
b) shoes, boots and similar footwear;
c) gloves, hats, bonnets and scarves;
d) neckties designed to be worn with a shirt or blouse;
e) belts and braces;
f) religious clothing that may be worn all the time, and celebratory clothing such as that worn at civil or religious ceremonies or regional or national festivals;
g) specialist sportswear and activity wear generally worn for limited periods and under supervision, for example rugby shorts, wet suits, and dancewear, except where those garments are commonly worn as day wear or night wear;
h) theatrical costumes used for theatrical performances;
i) aprons intended to be worn over day wear, for limited periods and under supervision, to protect clothing from soiling during activities such as painting, cooking, or during meal times.
- Standard29 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
- Standard – translation27 pagesSlovenian languagee-Library read for1 day
This document specifies requirements for cords and drawstrings for children's clothing, including disguise costumes and skiwear, up to the age of 14 years.
Within the scope of this document it is not possible to cover all potential hazards that may create an unsafe garment.
Conversely, identifiable specific hazards in certain styles/design of garment may not present a risk for certain age groups.
NOTE It is recommended that an individual risk assessment be carried out on any garment in order to ensure that it does not present a hazard to the wearer.
This document does not apply to:
a) child use and care articles such as, nappies and soother holders;
b) shoes, boots and similar footwear;
c) gloves, hats, scarves
d) neckties designed to be worn with a shirt or blouse;
e) belts and braces;
f) religious clothing that may be worn all the time, and celebratory clothing such as that worn at civil or religious ceremonies or regional or national festivals;
g) specialist sportswear and activity wear generally worn for limited periods and under supervision for example rugby shorts, wet suits, and dancewear except where those garments are commonly worn as day wear or night wear;
h) theatrical costumes used for theatrical performances.
5) belts and braces;
6) religious clothing that may be worn all the time, and celebratory clothing such as that worn at civil or religious ceremonies or regional or national festivals;
7) specialist sportswear and activity wear generally worn for limited periods and under supervision for example rugby shorts, wet suits, and dancewear except where those garments are commonly worn as day wear or night wear;
8) theatrical costumes.
- Standard15 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This document specifies requirements for cords and drawstrings for children's clothing, including disguise costumes and skiwear, up to the age of 14 years.
Within the scope of this document it is not possible to cover all potential hazards that may create an unsafe garment.
Conversely, identifiable specific hazards in certain styles/design of garment may not present a risk for certain age groups.
NOTE It is recommended that an individual risk assessment be carried out on any garment in order to ensure that it does not present a hazard to the wearer.
This document does not apply to:
a) child use and care articles such as, nappies and soother holders;
b) shoes, boots and similar footwear;
c) gloves, hats, scarves
d) neckties designed to be worn with a shirt or blouse;
e) belts and braces;
f) religious clothing that may be worn all the time, and celebratory clothing such as that worn at civil or religious ceremonies or regional or national festivals;
g) specialist sportswear and activity wear generally worn for limited periods and under supervision for example rugby shorts, wet suits, and dancewear except where those garments are commonly worn as day wear or night wear;
h) theatrical costumes used for theatrical performances.
5) belts and braces;
6) religious clothing that may be worn all the time, and celebratory clothing such as that worn at civil or religious ceremonies or regional or national festivals;
7) specialist sportswear and activity wear generally worn for limited periods and under supervision for example rugby shorts, wet suits, and dancewear except where those garments are commonly worn as day wear or night wear;
8) theatrical costumes.
- Standard15 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
Frequently Asked Questions
A European Standardization Mandate is a formal request from the European Commission to the European Standardization Organizations (CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI) to develop European standards (ENs) in support of EU legislation and policies. Mandates are issued under Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 and help ensure that products and services meet the essential requirements set out in EU directives and regulations.
M/309 is a European Standardization Mandate titled "Mandate to CEN in the area of standardization related to the safety of consumers: drawstrings or cords on children's clothing". Mandate to CEN in the area of standardization related to the safety of consumers: drawstrings or cords on children's clothing There are 8 standards developed under this mandate.
Standards developed in response to a mandate and cited in the Official Journal of the European Union become "harmonized standards". Products manufactured in compliance with harmonized standards benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation, facilitating CE marking and market access across the European Economic Area.