ASTM F1816-18

Standard Safety Specification for Drawstrings on Children's Upper Outerwear

ABSTRACT
This safety specification covers the performance requirements that are intended to reduce strangulation and vehicular dragging hazards associated with drawstrings on children's (both boys' and girls') upper outerwear, such as jackets and sweatshirts, generally intended to be worn on the exterior of other clothing. The sizes covered here are sizes 2T to 12 for neck/hood drawstrings and sizes 2T to 16 for waist/bottom drawstrings. Upper outerwear with fully retractable drawstrings are not addressed here.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers and is intended to reduce strangulation and vehicular dragging hazards associated with drawstrings on children's upper outerwear.  
1.2 The type of clothing covered by this specification is girls' and boys' clothing, such as jackets and sweatshirts, generally intended to be worn on the exterior of other clothing.  
1.3 The sizes covered by this specification are sizes 2T to 12 for neck/hood drawstrings and sizes 2T to 16 for waist/bottom drawstrings.  
1.4 Upper outerwear with fully retractable drawstrings are exempt.  
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2018
• ICS: 61.020 - Clothes
• Technical Committee: F15 - Consumer Products
• Drafting Committee: F15.37 - Drawstrings for Children's Clothing

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F1816-97(2009) - Standard Safety Specification for Drawstrings on Children's Upper Outerwear (Withdrawn 2018)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2018
• Refers: ASTM D5219-15 - Standard Terminology Relating to Body Dimensions for Apparel Sizing
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-2015
• Refers: ASTM D5219-09e1 - Standard Terminology Relating to Body Dimensions for Apparel Sizing
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2009
• Refers: ASTM D5219-09 - Standard Terminology Relating to Body Dimensions for Apparel Sizing
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2009
• Refers: ASTM D5219-07a - Standard Terminology Relating to Body Dimensions for Apparel Sizing
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2007
• Refers: ASTM D5219-07 - Standard Terminology Relating to Body Dimensions for Apparel Sizing
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2007
• Refers: ASTM D5219-02 - Standard Terminology Relating to Body Dimensions for Apparel Sizing
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002
• Refers: ASTM D5219-99 - Standard Terminology Relating to Body Dimensions for Apparel Sizing
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1996

Overview

ASTM F1816-18: Standard Safety Specification for Drawstrings on Children's Upper Outerwear establishes essential safety requirements to minimize risks associated with drawstrings on children's jackets, sweatshirts, and other types of upper outerwear. Developed by ASTM International, this standard specifically targets hazards such as strangulation and vehicular dragging that can arise when drawstrings on children's clothing become caught or entangled in playground equipment, vehicles, or other objects.

The scope of ASTM F1816-18 covers both boys’ and girls’ upper outerwear, generally intended for wear over other clothing. It applies to garments sized 2T to 12 (for neck and hood drawstrings) and sizes 2T to 16 (for waist and bottom drawstrings). Upper outerwear with fully retractable drawstrings are not subject to this specification.

Key Topics

• Child Safety and Drawstrings: The standard is designed to protect children from two primary hazards:

  • Strangulation Hazard: Prevention of injury or death caused by drawstrings in hood and neck areas becoming snagged, especially on playground equipment.
  • Vehicular Dragging Hazard: Addressing the risk of drawstrings catching on school bus doors or handrails, leading to dangerous scenarios such as dragging incidents.

• Garment Types and Sizes:

  • Covers jackets, sweatshirts, and similar upper outerwear.
  • Includes girls’ and boys’ sizes 2T-12 (neck/hood), 2T-16 (waist/bottom).

• Drawstring Construction:

  • Prohibits the presence of drawstrings in the hood and neck area for sizes 2T to 12.
  • Specifies limits on length and disallows knots, toggles, or attachments at the free ends of waist/bottom drawstrings.

• Performance Requirements:

  • Waist/bottom drawstrings must not extend beyond prescribed lengths and should be bartacked where continuous.

• Terminology:

  • Defines key terms such as drawstrings, toggles, bartacks, and upper outerwear to ensure consistency.

Applications

ASTM F1816-18 is a critical reference for manufacturers, designers, regulators, and retailers involved in children’s apparel. Key applications include:

• Product Design: Guiding apparel designers to engineer garments free from hazardous drawstring features, in compliance with safety standards.
• Quality Assurance and Product Testing: Manufacturers and quality control personnel use the standard to assess product samples and ensure drawstrings in children’s outerwear do not pose entrapment risks.
• Regulatory Compliance: Retailers and importers rely on ASTM F1816-18 to ensure products meet US and international safety requirements, helping to prevent recalls and liability issues.
• Consumer Safety Communications: Enables stakeholders to communicate clearly about safe clothing designs for children, reducing injury risks associated with improper garment construction.

Adhering to ASTM F1816-18 enhances product safety, decreases the likelihood of accidents, and promotes consumer confidence in children’s clothing brands.

Related Standards

For comprehensive compliance and best practices in children’s clothing safety, consider these related standards and resources:

• ASTM D5219 - Terminology Relating to Body Dimensions for Apparel Sizing
• CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) Regulations - Federal guidelines on children’s apparel safety
• ISO Standards - International safety standards for textiles and children’s wear (consult current ISO publications for relevant documents)
• ASTM F963 - Toy Safety standard, for additional child safety considerations

Following ASTM F1816-18 alongside these related standards supports the production and sale of safer children’s apparel, fostering a secure environment for young wearers. For further information or to obtain the full text of the standard, visit ASTM International.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1816 −18
Standard Safety Specification for
Drawstrings on Children’s Upper Outerwear
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1816; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Knots, toggles, and other decorative or functional attachments on the ends of long, loose
drawstrings can catch and snag on other objects. Two hazards associated with such drawstrings on
children’s upper outerwear have been identified: the potential strangulation hazard associated
primarily with hood and neck area drawstrings of upper outerwear; the potential vehicular dragging
hazard associated primarily with waist and bottom drawstrings of upper outerwear. This consumer
safety specification is intended to reduce the risk of drawstrings on children’s upper outwear accessing
and getting snagged in various entrapment areas.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This specification covers and is intended to reduce
2.1 ASTM Standards:
strangulation and vehicular dragging hazards associated with
D5219 Terminology Relating to Body Dimensions for Ap-
drawstrings on children’s upper outerwear.
parel Sizing
1.2 The type of clothing covered by this specification is
3. Terminology
girls’ and boys’ clothing, such as jackets and sweatshirts,
generally intended to be worn on the exterior of other clothing.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 Thesizescoveredbythisspecificationaresizes2Tto12 3.1.1 bartack, n—the stitching through the drawstring and
for neck/hood drawstrings and sizes 2T to 16 for waist/bottom
channel usually at the back center of the channel to prevent the
drawstrings. drawstring’s being pulled through its channel.
1.4 Upper outerwear with fully retractable drawstrings are
3.1.2 bottom of upper outerwear, n—the edge that circum-
exempt.
scribes the lowest part of the garment (most distant from the
neck area).
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3.1.3 drawstring, n—a non-retractable cord, ribbon, or tape
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
of any material to pull together parts of upper outerwear to
and are not considered standard.
provide for closure.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.4 hood, n—a loose, pliable covering for the head, either
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
detachable or permanently attached to upper outerwear.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.1.5 neck area, n—the area 1 in. (25 mm) above or below
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
the neck opening.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.6 neck opening, n—the opening is defined by the seam
between the body of the upper outerwear and the collar or
hood.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on
Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.37 on
Drawstrings for Children’s Clothing.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2018. Published December 2018. Originally For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as F1816 – 97 (2009) contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
which was withdrawn in July 2018 and reinstated in November 2018. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/F1816-18. the ASTM website.
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