SIST-TP CEN/TR 16792:2015
(Main)Safety of children's clothing - Recommendations for the design and manufacture of children's clothing - Mechanical safety
Safety of children's clothing - Recommendations for the design and manufacture of children's clothing - Mechanical safety
This Technical Report gives recommendations for the design and manufacture of safe children’s clothing in relation to mechanical hazards.
This Technical Report also gives recommendations on safety aspects of the packaging and display of children’s clothing, including guidance for retailers.
This Technical Report is applicable to clothing including bonnets, hats, gloves, scarves, socks and other clothing accessories intended for all children up to 14 years of age. It is suggested that dressing up clothes meet the recommendations of this Technical Report in addition to the requirements of EN 71.
This Technical Report is intended for use at all stages of the clothing supply chain, including use by designers, specifiers and manufacturers of children’s clothing. It is also intended to be used by importers, distributors and retailers to assist them in the selection of clothing that does not present a hazard.
This Technical Report is not applicable to:
a) child care articles, such as bibs, nappies and soother holders;
b) footwear, such as boots, shoes and slippers; or
c) toys and other items sold with the clothing;
as these articles are not within the scope of CEN/TC 248.
This Technical Report does not include recommendations on any clothing features that might be necessary to cater for children with special needs.
Sicherheit von Kinderbekleidung - Teil 1: Mechanische Sicherheit
Sécurité des vêtements d’enfants - Recommandations pour la conception et la fabrication des vêtements d’enfants - Sécurité mécanique
Varnost otroških oblačil - Priporočila za načrtovanje in izdelavo otroških oblačil - Mehanska varnost
To tehnično poročilo podaja priporočila za načrtovanje in izdelavo otroških oblačil v povezavi z mehansko varnostjo.
To tehnično poročilo podaja tudi priporočila o varnostnih vidikih embalaže in razstavljanja otroških oblačil, vključno s smernicami za trgovce.
To tehnično poročilo se uporablja za oblačila, vključno s klobuki, kapami, rokavicami, šali, nogavicami in drugimi dodatki za oblačila, ki so namenjeni vsem otrokom do 14 leta starosti. Priporočeno je, da oblačila poleg zahtev standarda EN 71 dosegajo priporočila v tem tehničnem poročilu.
To tehnično poročilo je namenjeno uporabi na vseh ravneh oskrbovalne verige z oblekami, vključno z oblikovalci, izdajatelji specifikacij in proizvajalci. Namenjeno je tudi za uporabo s strani uvoznikov, distributerjev in trgovcev, da jim pomaga pri izbiri oblačil, ki ne predstavljajo tveganja.
To tehnično poročilo se ne uporablja za:
a) izdelke za otroke, kot so slinčki, plenice in držala za dude;
b) obuvala, kot so škornji, čevlji in copati;
c) igrače in drugi predmeti, ki se prodajajo z oblačili,
saj ti predmeti niso zajeti v standardu CEN TC 248.
To tehnično poročilo ne vključuje nobenih priporočil glede lastnosti oblačil, ki so morda potrebne za skrb za otroke s posebnimi potrebami.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-marec-2015
9DUQRVWRWURãNLKREODþLO3ULSRURþLOD]DQDþUWRYDQMHLQL]GHODYRRWURãNLKREODþLO
0HKDQVNDYDUQRVW
Safety of children's clothing - Recommendations for the design and manufacture of
children's clothing - Mechanical safety
Sicherheit von Kinderbekleidung - Teil 1: Mechanische Sicherheit
Sécurité des vêtements d’enfants - Recommandations pour la conception et la
fabrication des vêtements d’enfants - Sécurité mécanique
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TR 16792:2014
ICS:
61.020 2EODþLOD Clothes
97.190 Otroška oprema Equipment for children
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
TECHNICAL REPORT
CEN/TR 16792
RAPPORT TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHER BERICHT
December 2014
ICS 61.020; 97.190
English Version
Safety of children's clothing - Recommendations for the design
and manufacture of children's clothing - Mechanical safety
Sécurité des vêtements d'enfants - Recommandations pour Sicherheit von Kinderbekleidung - Teil 1: Mechanische
la conception et la fabrication des vêtements d'enfants - Sicherheit
Sécurité mécanique
This Technical Report was approved by CEN on 15 December 2014. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 248.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United
Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2014 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TR 16792:2014 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
Foreword .3
Introduction .4
1 Scope .5
2 Normative references .5
3 Terms and definitions .6
4 Mechanical hazards and associated risks .9
5 Risk assessment . 10
6 Garment design, materials and construction . 11
7 Manufacture . 18
8 Packaging . 21
9 Security tagging and display of garments for retail. 21
Annex A (informative) Accident data . 22
Annex B (normative) Method for determination of removal force of attached components . 23
Annex C (informative) Method for determination of the security of attachment of non-grippable
attached components . 33
Annex D (informative) Information to be supplied by the designer to the manufacturer . 37
Annex E (informative) Rational for age definitions . 38
Annex F (informative) Test method for tensile strength of buttons and recommended minimum
strength. . 39
Annex G (normative) Slide/zip fastener specification . 42
Annex H (normative) Small parts assessment . 43
Bibliography . 44
Foreword
This document (CEN/TR 16792:2014) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 248, “Textiles and
textile products”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Introduction
The General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC [1] require all products placed on the market to be safe,
and provide information on how the safety of products should be assessed. According to the General Product
Safety Directive [1] product safety may be assessed by reference to the following:
— specific product regulations;
— national regulations;
— European standards which have had their references published in the Official Journal of the European
Union;
— other European standards;
— community technical specifications; national standards (i.e. national standards that are not versions of
European standards);
— industry codes of good practice; European Technical Report (TR)
— state of the art and technology; and
— the safety which consumers may reasonably expect.
More details on assessment of product safety are given in the EU The General Product Safety Directive
2001/95/EC.
When designing children’s clothing, it is essential to take into consideration the behaviour of children, whose
need for exploration and challenge drives them to use items in new and different ways. One common factor
children share is that they are unaware of cause and effect and are therefore substantially less cautious than
adults in relation to hazards.
It should be emphasized that consideration of the recommendations given in this Technical Report from the
earliest possible stage, i.e. the design stage, is of prime importance.
Recommendations on risk assessment are given in Clause 5. The recommendations given relate only to
mechanical safety. There are many other safety aspects relating to children’s clothing that need to be
considered when carrying out a full risk assessment, including chemical safety, thermal protection (against
heat or cold), avoidance of overheating, flammability,
1 Scope
This Technical Report gives recommendations for the design and manufacture of safe children’s clothing in
relation to mechanical hazards.
This Technical Report also gives recommendations on safety aspects of the packaging and display of
children’s clothing, including guidance for retailers.
This Technical Report is applicable to clothing including bonnets, hats, gloves, scarves, socks and other
clothing accessories intended for all children up to 14 years of age. It is suggested that dressing up clothes
meet the recommendations of this Technical Report in addition to the requirements of EN 71.
This Technical Report is intended for use at all stages of the clothing supply chain, including use by designers,
specifiers and manufacturers of children’s clothing. It is also intended to be used by importers, distributors and
retailers to assist them in the selection of clothing that does not present a hazard.
This Technical Report is not applicable to:
a) child care articles, such as bibs, nappies and soother holders;
b) footwear, such as boots, shoes and slippers; or
c) toys and other items sold with the clothing;
as these articles are not within the scope of CEN/TC 248.
This Technical Report does not include recommendations on any clothing features that might be necessary to
cater for children with special needs.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
BS 3084, Slide fasteners (zips) - Specification
EN 14682, Safety of children's clothing - Cords and drawstrings on children's clothing - Specifications
EN ISO 139, Textiles - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing (ISO 139)
EN ISO 3758, Textiles - Care labelling code using symbols (ISO 3758)
EN ISO 6330, Textiles - Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing (ISO 6330)
EN ISO 7500-1, Metallic materials - Verification of static uniaxial testing machines - Part 1:
Tension/compression testing machines - Verification and calibration of the force-measuring system (ISO
7500-1)
EN ISO 10012, Measurement management systems - Requirements for measurement processes and
measuring equipment (ISO 10012)
ISO 4915, Textiles - Stitch types - Classification and terminology
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
baby
child from birth up to age 12 months, that is all children of height up to and including 80 cm
3.2
infant
child from age 12 months to and including 36 months, that is all children over 80 cm and up to and including
98 cm in height
3.3
child and young person
person aged over 36 months and up to 14 years (that is up to and including 13 years and 11 months), that is
all children over 98 cm in height and for girls up to 176 cm and for boys 182 cm in height
3.4
babies' clothing
garments intended by design manufacture or selling route to be worn by babies
3.5
infant's clothing
garments intended by design, manufacture or selling route to be worn by infants
3.6
children’s clothing
garments intended by design, manufacture or selling route to be worn by children
3.7
foreign object
object not intended to be a part of a garment, for example, broken needle, stone
3.8
ischaemic injury
injury to a part of the body resulting from a restriction of blood circulation
3.9
attached components
3.9.1
press fastener
fastening device consisting of a male component and a female component that are attached to different parts
of a garment and which is fastened by aligning the two components and pressing them together
Note 1 to entry: Press fasteners include poppers and snaps.
Note 2 to entry: Press fasteners can be attached to a garment mechanically or can be sewn on.
3.9.2
tack button
fastening device comprising a button with a hollow shank on the back and a separate sharp tack, which is
attached to a garment by pushing the sharp end of the tack through the fabric from the reverse side into the
shank of the button
Note 1 to entry: Tack buttons are also known as stud buttons.
Note 2 to entry: Tack buttons are widely used on denim and other casual garments.
3.9.3
rivet
two part assembly, comprising a part (referred to as a burr) which is attached to the outer surface of the
garment by a tack which passes though the fabric from the reverse side
Note 1 to entry: Rivets are usually used as reinforcements, particularly on the corners of pockets on denim and other
casual garments.
3.9.4
eyelet
item used to reinforce a hole through a garment, comprising a short metal tube with a flange at one end which
is fastened to the garment by pushing it through the hole and compressing it against a die
Note 1 to entry: An eyelet may also include a washer on the reverse side.
Note 2 to entry: Eyelets are used to facilitate lacing or the insertion of a drawstring, to drain pockets or to provide
ventilation.
3.9.5
pom-pom
ball created either from cut lengths of thread or yarn fastened at the centre, or from a piece of fabric filled with
filling material
Note 1 to entry: Pom-poms can be secured directly to a garment or attached by means of a cord.
3.9.6
tassel
bundle of lengths of yarn or other materials fastened at one end and free at the other end
Note 1 to entry: Tassels can be secured directly to a garment or attached by means of a cord.
3.9.7
tab
piece of textile or other material, of flat or looped construction, attached to the outside of a garment either for
identification or for decorative purposes
Note 1 to entry: These are distinct from adjusting tabs, which are defined in EN 14682.
3.9.8
button
knob or disc which is attached to a garment as a means of fastening or ornamentation
3.9.9
label
fabric, plastic or similar attached to the garment to provide instructions, information or to identify the garment
brand
3.10
garment assembly
section of a garment, made under production conditions, using production equipment and the components
that are to be used in production
3.11
hazard
potential source of harm to the wearer of a garment
3.12
risk
combination of the probability of occurrence of a hazard and the severity of the harm which that hazard could
be expected to cause
3.13
risk assessment
thorough evaluation of the risks that a garment could present to the wearer as a result of the design,
materials, components and construction of the garment
3.14
sharp object
object with one or more edges or points which are exposed, or which could become exposed, and which are
likely to cause a cutting or piercing injury to the wearer of a garment
3.15
touch and close fastener
fastener consisting of two pile fabric tapes that are attached to different parts of a garment which is fastened
by pressing the pile sides of the two tapes together and which can be unfastened by peeling apart the two
tapes starting at either end
Note 1 to entry: Touch and close includes hook and loop.
3.16
wear trial
trial of a garment involving wear by intended users in order to obtain information on the wear performance and
characteristics of the garment
3.17
magnet
piece of iron, steel or alloy having the properties of attracting or repelling iron
3.18
magnetic material
material capable of being attracted by, or acquiring the properties of a magnet
3.19
zip/slide fastener
moving component consisting essentially of a slider body and, normally, a puller, which opens or closes the
fastener by separating or engaging the interlocking members
Note 1 to entry: The slider might incorporate a locking device. Alternative slider types are available with a flip-over
puller or double pullers, to facilitate operation from both front and back sides.
3.20
appliqué
cut out design or shape attached to the face of material for ornamentation, frequently of a different type and/or
shade of material
3.21
filling material
material which is encased in fabric to form part of the structure of a garment
Note 1 to entry: Filling materials include wadding, foams and feathers.
4 Mechanical hazards and associated risks
4.1 Ischaemic injuries
Ischaemic injuries can be caused by loose or untrimmed threads on the foot or hand area of garments
becoming wrapped around fingers or toes, or by entrapment of fingers or toes in open fabrics (e.g. crochet) or
in fabrics with long float stitches. Entrapment of tongue or fingers is possible in large inflexible openings , in
components such as buttons, press fasteners, eyelets and zip/slide fasteners. These can cause a tourniquet
effect, thus restricting the blood circulation.
This is a particular concern in clothes for babies as the source of distress cannot be communicated by the
baby and might go undetected for some time.
In addition, areas of skin or parts of the genitalia can protrude through a mesh fabric used as a lining for
swimming trunks. The skin from these parts can become entrapped in the mesh leading to ischaemic injury.
Elasticated cuffs can also cause a reduction in blood flow to the hands or feet if the elastic is too tight or too
strong; this is a particular concern in baby clothing.
4.2 Entrapment of the penis in a slide fastener (zip)
All boys’ trousers that have a slide fastener present a risk of entrapment of the penis in the fastener.
4.3 Injuries from sharp objects
Injuries to children can be caused by clothing which contains sharp objects. The severity of the injury can
range from a scratch or irritation to a more serious injury such as cutting or piercing.
Injuries can be caused by components with sharp edges, which are sometimes found on buttons, slide
fasteners and decorative features, or by sharp edges which are produced through the deterioration of
components during the wear and aftercare lifecycle of the garment. For example, components of press
fasteners can become detached from the garment leaving sharp prongs exposed, and buttons can break, or
covered buttons can come apart, leaving a sharp edge.
Pins, broken needles, staples and other sharp objects used in the manufacture and packaging of clothing can
also cause serious injury if they are left in the garment.
4.4 Choking and aspiration
Buttons, toggles and many other garment attachments (including rubber and soft plastics items, such as
badges) can be a potential hazard, particularly to children under 36 months, if the item becomes detached
from the garment. As young children are known to place such items in their mouth, and might also insert them
into their nose or ears, any foreign object found in a child’s garment can present a risk of either choking or
aspiration. Stones left as a residue from a stone-washing process can present the same risks.
Aspiration (where items are inhaled via the mouth or nose) is possible if detached parts are sufficiently small
to pass into the trachea or lungs, for example beads, diamanté and sequins. Often these items might not be
detected, as their chemical nature means they are unlikely to be identified by X-ray. The consequence is the
foreign body can cause toxic shock or lead to an infection, the source of which might not be readily identified.
This can result in rapid and unexplained weight loss requiring hospitalization. This is very serious, however it
is extremely rare.
4.5 Swallowing
In most cases a detached item that has been swallowed will pass into the stomach and should eventually
pass through the body with food without causing harm. Notable exceptions are sharp objects, button cell
batteries and magnets.
4.6 Magnets
If more than one magnet, or one magnet and a ferromagnetic object (for example iron or nickel) is ingested,
the objects can attract to each other across intestinal walls and cause perforation or blockage, which can be
fatal. Other risks include magnetic interference with devices such as pacemakers or infusion pumps.
4.7 Strangulation and entrapment
Garments manufactured with cords, drawstrings or loops present a potential risk of strangulation and,
entrapment. Studies of accident data indicate two distinct trends, see EN 14682:2014 Annex A .
4.8 Slipping, tripping and falling
Accident statistics show that the majority of tripping and falling accidents are caused by poorly fitting
garments. It is unclear whether this is due to inappropriate garment selection by the parent or carer or to the
garment itself being incorrectly sized. Examples of the latter could be a skirt or a trouser leg being too long in
relation to the waist and hip measurements. A belt or cord which is too long might also put the wearer at risk
of tripping. Some slipping accidents can be attributed to children of walking age wearing socks or footed
garments without wearing additional footwear.
4.9 Restriction of vision and hearing
Hoods and certain types of headwear can restrict a child’s vision or hearing, or both. Garments with hoods,
and certain types of headwear, have the potential to increase the risk of the child being involved in an
accident. Particular concern has been raised regarding an increased risk of playground and of road traffic
accidents.
4.10 Suffocation
Accident statistics suggest that suffocation accidents involving children’s clothing are rare. However, there
remains a risk of suffocation in babies under 12 months if a garment has a hood constructed from materials
which are impermeable to air.
5 Risk assessment
The General Product Safety Directive [1] specifies that all consumer products have to be safe or reasonably
safe in normal and foreseeable use.
Risk assessments should be carried out so as to cover every stage of the garment production process, from
the design stage, through manufacturing to retailing. This should include an exchange of information between
all those concerned with the design, manufacturing, buying and retailing of the garments to ensure that
garments put on sale to the public are safe.
The main stages that need to be carried out in a risk assessment are as follows:
a) identification of the hazards;
b) identification of the risks associated with each of the hazards;
c) removal of the hazards wherever possible;
d) for those hazards that cannot be removed, taking action to reduce the risks associated with them to an
acceptable level.
NOTE To assist in the assessment of risks associated with particular hazards, some recorded accident statistics are
given in Annex A.
If a particular aspect of a garment design is found to present a risk, consideration should be given to removing
the feature and/or obtaining the same effect using a safer technique.
Measures to remove hazards and reduce risks at the manufacturing stage should include the following:
1) adapting to technical progress and using safer technology;
2) developing a coherent overall prevention policy which covers technology, organization of work, and
control of factors relating to the working environment, e.g. introducing a broken needle policy in a factory,
and control of hand sewing procedures and the use of pins and staples;
3) implementing manufacturing management procedures to avoid or minimize risk including giving
appropriate instructions to employees, for example on correct broken needle procedures.
Risk assessments should be done on all garments, covering the complete range of sizes.
The following factors should be taken into account:
— the age of the intended wearer;
— the expected characteristics of a child that age, and the situation in which they are likely to be wearing the
garment, including the following:
— weight and height of the child;
— body measurements relevant to specific potential hazards, e.g. wrist size in the case of a garment with
elasticated cuffs;
— the age-related abilities of the child;
— the normal behaviour of the child;
— the situation(s) in which the garment is intended to be worn;
— the normal levels of supervision of the child while they are wearing the garment. For example, not only is
a sleeping baby very unlikely to be supervised, but it might also continue to be unsupervised when it
wakes.
When carrying out a risk assessment, it should be borne in mind that young children up to around age 7 years
cannot be expected to appreciate risks and that their behaviour can be unpredictable.
Risk assessments should be documented. The documentation should be dated and identified so that it is
traceable, and should include a record of the name and position of the individual(s) who carried out the
assessment. Risk assessments should be reviewed at least annually for long-running styles and further action
taken to reduce risks if necessary.
Wear trials should never be carried out as part of a risk assessment to determine if a garment is safe. If a
previously unidentified safety issue, or perceived safety issue, becomes apparent during a wear trial then the
wear trial should be stopped immediately and the risk assessment should be reviewed.
6 Garment design, materials and construction
6.1 General
Assessed capability. Users of this Technical Report are advised to consider the desirability of sourcing
materials and components from suppliers who operate quality systems that have been assessed and
registered against the appropriate standard in the EN ISO 9000 series by an accredited third-party certification
body.
Garment designs and sizing should be based on anthropometric data for children in the relevant age group.
The performance of materials and components can be greatly reduced by aftercare processes. It is important
therefore that the type and likely frequency of aftercare processes are taken into consideration when
assessing the materials and components in the garments. Appropriate care instructions should be provided
with each garment, for example see EN ISO 3758.
For each garment design, the designer should provide the manufacturer with a full product specification which
should include, as a minimum, the information listed in Annex D.
6.2 Selection of fabrics
6.2.1 Fabrics should be used which do not present a mechanical risk to the wearer when forming
part of a garment. If necessary, the construction of the garment should be altered so that the fabrics
used do not present a mechanical risk.
Particular consideration should be given to the position of the fabric on the garment, the age of the intended
wearer and the type of end use of the garment. Examples include:
a) In garments for babies, fabrics with integral holes or open construction, e.g. crochet and lace, which can
cause entrapment of fingers or other body parts leading to ischaemic injury (see 4.1) should not be used.
b) Mesh fabrics, which can present a risk of entrapment if used in the lining of boys’ swimming trunks (see
4.1). This risk can be reduced by using a soft handle fabric with a hole size less than 1,5 mm.
c) Imitation fur fabrics. A safety risk assessment should be carried out to assess, pile retention, position on
garment and age of end user (see 4.4).
6.2.2 Fabrics which have uncut float stitches longer than 10 mm should not be used in the hand or
foot area of garments designed for babies.
6.2.3 Fabric used to support a sewn-on component, for example a button, should be sufficiently
strong that when the attachment of the component is tested in accordance with Table 1 and 6.5.1,
Note 2, the fabric does not tear. If necessary, reinforcing material should be used in areas where
components are attached.
6.3 Filling materials
Filling materials should not contain any hard, sharp or foreign objects. Garments which contain filling material
should be designed and constructed in such a way that the filling material is inaccessible and secure.
Particular care should be taken when using feathers/down as a filling material, as the quills could present a
hazard to the wearer.
6.4 Sewing thread
Monofilament sewing thread should not be used on the inside of children’s clothing owing to the risk of it
causing ischaemic injury or skin abrasion.
All thread ends in the hand and foot areas of the garments for babies should be trimmed off to a maximum of
10 mm.
Thread used to support a sewn-on component, for example a button, should be sufficiently strong that the
security of attachment of the component is in accordance with Table 1 and 6.5.1, Note 2.
6.5 Attached garment components
6.5.1 General recommendations
This sub-clause gives recommendations that apply to all attached garment components. Specific additional
recommendations for individual types of attached components are given in 6.5.2 to 6.5.9.
It is essential that all components attached to clothing for children under 36 months are securely attached and
remain attached throughout the normal or reasonably foreseeable period of use of the garment.
Components attached by lockstitch (301) (see Note 1) are generally the most secure and should be used
where possible. Components attached by hand stitch (200) can be secure provided the process is strictly
controlled, however this method is not recommended for garments for babies or infants. Components attached
by chain stitch (100) can be prone to becoming detached and should not be used for garments for babies or
infants.
The numbers in brackets refer to the stitch type classifications described in ISO 4915.
Textile components, which are small parts (tightly packed stuffed components made of fabric and/or yarns),
should be assessed for security of attachment in accordance with Annex C. A stuffed component should be
considered as tightly packed if it cannot be readily compressed by hand (between forefinger and thumb).
Non-textile components, which are small parts, should be tested for security of attachment in accordance with
Table 1.
Non-textile components which are small parts should be tested for security of attachment as described below.
A small part is any component or pieces of components which fit entirely within the small parts cylinder,
without compression. See Annex H.
The security of non-textile attached components on clothing should be in accordance with Table 1.
These recommendations do not apply to label, price ticket, promotional information intended to be removed
before wear. These are not attached clothing components, see Clauses 8 and 9.
Attached components should not have sharp points or sharp edges.
NOTE 1 At the time of drafting this Technical Report the following standards are under development:
— Safety of children's clothing — Security of attachment of buttons — Specifications and test methods
— Safety of children's clothing — Security of attachment of mechanically applied metal press fasteners, rivets and
eyelets-Specifications and test methods
Once published, these standards will supersede the conflicting clauses of this document.
Table 1 — Recommended values for security of all non-textile attached components on clothing for
babies and infants
Component Minimum Performance Test method
removal force
N (see Note 2)
Grippable (note A) (except sequins):
Largest grippable dimension ≥ 6 mm 70 (note B) — Annex B
Largest grippable dimension >3 mm but < 6 mm 50 — Annex B
Largest grippable dimension ≤3 mm — Negligible change Annex C
A)
Non-grippable (including sequins ,heat fused or
— Negligible change Annex C
glued components and plastic sleeving on ends of
cords or laces)
A) Grippable and non-grippable in this context refer to whether the component under test can be gripped,
without deformation or other damage to fabric or component , by the apparatus described in Annex B.
B) For code B zip fasteners (see 6.8.1) the requirement for open-end fastener single stringer slider retention is
60 N as specified in BS 3084:2006.
In order to ensure that clothing meet the recommended levels for security of attachments given in Table 1, it is
recommended that testing be carried out at a number of stages from the design stage through production, in
addition to testing of the garment. If a component fails, attention should be given to the mode of failure so that
corrective action can be taken.
The test method requires that 5 specimens of any specific type of component be tested.
NOTE 2 The recommended attachment strengths apply to the forces measured on each individual specimen, rather
than the mean value from the 5 specimens tested.
6.5.2 Buttons
Only buttons which have passed the mechanical tensile test given in Annex F should be used on children’s
clothing. Buttons should be used which do not have sharp edges on the outside, and which also do not have
sharp edges internally that could become exposed and present a hazard.
Particular care should be taken if multi-component buttons are to be used as these can disassemble to
produce potentially hazardous small parts.
NOTE 1 For tack buttons see 6.5.8.
Buttons should not be used which bear any resemblance to food.
NOTE 2 Attention is drawn to the Food Imitations (Safety) Regulations 1989 [4].
Spare buttons on garments for babies and infants should be securely attached in accordance with 6.5.1.
6.5.3 Fabric embellishments, including bows and labels
The ends of all fabric embellishments, especially ribbons, should be adequately secured to prevent
unravelling. It is essential that any heat sealed or laser cut fabric labels, badges or tabs do not have sharp
edges.
The lengths of any fabric embellishments should conform to EN 14682.
6.5.4 Rubber or soft plastics embellishments, including labels, and badges
The following should be considered when selecting rubber or soft plastics embellishments for garments for
babies and infants:
a) Stitch density: perforations caused by stitching can cause parts of the attachment to detach.
b) Degradation of the materials: these can be degraded by exposure to heat, laundering detergents, etc.
6.5.5 Pom-poms and tassels
Pom-poms and tassels should be constructed such that the cut length of the yarn may not easily be removed.
6.5.6 Sequins, beads and similar components
On garments designed for babies and infants, sequins, beads and similar components should not be attached
by either hand sewing or chain stitching (e.g. Adda technique) owing to difficulties in achieving consistency in
attachment security. Machine attached sequins are generally more secure and a minimum of 3 stitches should
be used to hold each sequin flat.
Where hand-sewn sequins or beads are applied, it is recommended that the stitching is locked off after every
10th stitch.
Whichever sewing or other technique is used, manufacturers should ensure that sequins are secured to hold
them flat.
6.5.7 Diamanté and heat fused components
The security of attachment of these items can be adversely affected by the following factors:
a) textured fabric surfaces, e.g. velour, velvet, ribs and other uneven surfaces;
b) highly extensible fabrics;
c) certain fabric finishes, e.g. stain repellent finishes;
d) items of garment construction, e.g. pockets and pocket bags, and embroideries, appliqués and prints.
The uneven surfaces these produce can cause inconsistencies in application pressure.
It is also important to ensure consistency in the application process (see 7.4).
6.5.8 Press fasteners and similarly applied components
Selection and positioning of press fasteners (including poppers and snaps) and similarly applied components,
including tack buttons, rivets, eyelets, and hooks and bars, is an important element of garment design. The
designer should ensure that:
a) the correct type of fastener is selected. In particular, post-type fasteners should not be used on knitted
fabrics as these can pull through the knitted structure. Prong-type fasteners are required for these fabrics;
b) fasteners are not applied over seams or on areas of uneven fabric thickness as insecure attachment can
result;
c) the correct size of fastener is selected to match the compressed fabric thickness and only one size is
used per garment;
d) where necessary, the fabric is reinforced, for example with a fusible interlining, to ensure adequate fabric
stability for a secure attachment (see 6.2);
e) needle detector compatible fasteners are selected, i.e. fasteners made of non-magnetic material which do
not trigger needle detectors (see 7.2).
It is recommended that press fastener data sheets are obtained from the fastener manufacturers and used to
record the description and position of all fasteners on the garment and to check that all the above points have
been acted upon. Additionally, the data sheet should be used to record the pinch setting, a measure of the
attached fastener thickness at each position, at the pre-production stage. This data should then be used for
checking the fasteners during manufacture (see 7.3).
6.5.9 Magnets
Magnets should not be used on children’s garments.
6.6 Elastics
If elastics are to be used in a garment, an elastic should be selected that is sufficiently strong to hold the
relevant part of the garment in place, but which has sufficient stretch to avoid the risk of injury to the wearer. In
addition, the length of the elastic should be carefully chosen so that the elasticated part of the garment is the
correct size for the intended wearer.
It is essential to indicate both the relaxed and minimum stretched measurements of any elasticated parts of a
garment in the manufacturer’s specification.
6.7 Touch and close fasteners
When positioning touch and close fasteners the hook component should be directed away from the child’s
body where possible to avoid the possibility of skin abrasion.
It is recommended that pieces of touch and close fasteners are die cut with rounded corners to minimize the
risk of scratching.
6.8 Zip/slide fasteners
6.8.1 General
Zip/slide fasteners conforming to BS 3084:2006 should be used. Zip/slide fasteners conforming to
performance code A, B, C or D should be used as applicable to the type of clothing in accordance with
BS 3084:2006. Zip/slide fasteners conforming to performance code A (ultra-lightweight zip/slide fasteners)
should not be used in clothing for babies and infants as they can disassemble at low loads.
NOTE 1 At the time of drafting this Technical Report the following standard is under development:
— Slide fasteners (zips) — Specification
Once published, this standard will supersede the conflicting clauses of this document.
Zip/slide fasteners conforming to Code E may be used on wet suits.
NOTE 2 In the 2006 revision of BS 3084 a requirement has been added for single stringer slider retention in open-end
Zip/slide fasteners. Zip/slide fasteners which do not conform to BS 3084 in this respect can present a choking risk.
Where components of a zip/slide fastener could come into contact with the skin, the use of a plastic zip/side
fastener with plastic top stops and bottom stops is recommended, in preference to a zip/slide fastener with
claw-type metal stops. The tops stops and the elements (teeth) should be free from burrs and sharp edges.
The use of a fabric zip/slide fastener guard, comprising an inner flap, is recommended to reduce the risk of
catching or scratching, particularly around the face and neck.
6.8.2 Zip/slide fasteners in boys’ trousers
It is preferable that functional zip/slide fasteners are not used in the fly area of trousers designed to fit boys
aged 5 years and under. Designers should consider alternative trouser constructions, for example a touch and
close fastener or a non-functioning mock-fly and/or an elasticated waistband.
All boys’ trousers with a zip/slide fastener fly should have a zip/slide fastener guard at least 20 mm wide,
secured by stitching across the fly opening at the bottom, to provide protection against accidental entrapment
of the penis in the elements (teeth) of the zip/slide fastener. Use of zip/slide fasteners with plastic elements is
preferable as these are less likely to cause severe injury if entrapment does occur.
6.9 Cords, strings, ribbons and bows
Where these are used, they should conform to EN 14682.
6.10 Garments with integral feet
Consideration should be given to enhancing the slip resistance of garments with feet which are designed to be
worn by walking children without footwear. An example of how this can be done is the use of a friction
enhancing surface bonded to the fabric on the soles of the garment.
6.11 Hoods
Sleepwear, especially nightwear, designed for babies should not have hoods, because of the risk of
overheating.
The design and materials of the hood in garments for babies should not pose a risk of suffocation. The use of
interlining can reduce the risk as better airflow is encouraged due to the extra space between two fabrics and
can prevent a seal forming against the face. In the case of a filled hood an appropriate filling should be used
which allows air circulation. In terms of design ensure the hood is shallow and does not entirely cover the
face.
Because a hood can restrict a child’s vision or hearing or both (see 4.9), garments with hoods should be
designed to minimize this. Particular attention should be paid to the design of hoods in garments for older
children, who are more likely to undertake activities without adult supervision.
6.12 Embroidery and appliqué
When positioning embroidery and appliqué on garments, the potential of the back of the stitching to rub on the
skin during wear should be taken into account. The use of a fusible interlining or full panel linings to back the
embroidery is recommended where there is a risk of abrasion.
Care should be taken to ensure that the stitch lengths used on embroideries and appliqués are not long
enough to form loops which could pose a risk of ischaemic injury to infants. It is recommended that there
should be no float stitches on the back or front of the embroidery or appliqué in excess of 10 mm.
6.13 Stone washing
Stones or other residues left in the pockets or turn-ups of garments following stone washing can present a risk
of choking to babies and infants (see 4.4) and, therefore, it is recommended that an alternative process, such
as enzyme washing, be used on garments for this age group.
If stone washing is used on garments for older children, physical measures should be taken to prevent stones
and other residues being retained. These include sewing up pockets prior to washing, and turning out and
cleaning all pockets, turn-ups, etc. at the garment inspection stage.
7 Manufacture
7.1 Sharp objects
7.1.1 General
Sharp objects used in the manufacture of garments can cause serious injury if they are accidentally left in a
garment and come into contact with the wearer.
7.1.2 Pins and staples
Pins and staples are sometimes used in cloth spreading, cutting, position marking and the identification of
faults. However, it is not essential to use such items during the manufacturing process. Manufacturers should
eliminate their use, for example by use of self-adhesive labels to mark garment faults, self-adhesive markers,
and clamps to hold fabric lays.
Metal staples should not be used anywhere in the manufacturing environment. This includes their use to
fasten paperwork and paper pattern
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