CEN/TC 248/WG 20 - Safety of children's clothing

This document defines a test method for security of attachment of functional and decorative buttons to clothing including garments such as gloves, hats, scarves, hosiery, ties, and textile belts.
This document does not apply to:
a)   child care articles;
b)   shoes, boots and similar footwear;
c)   toys (see NOTE 2);
d)   other articles sold with clothing.
NOTE 1   The above items are covered by other CEN Technical Committees and as such are out of scope of this document.
NOTE 2   Disguise costumes including carnival costumes are examples of clothing which are also toys and fall within the scope of the Toy Safety Directive.
The scope of this document is limited to sewn-on buttons, toggle buttons and tack buttons.
Assessment of other garment components are considered in:
-   CEN/TS 17394-3, or
-   CEN/TS 17394-4.
Performance requirements are provided in CEN/TS 17394-1.

This document provides requirements for security of attachment for clothing components that are considered as small parts such as buttons, press fasteners, rivets, sequins, diamantes (or pieces of these components) which fit entirely within the small parts cylinder without compression, for infants' clothing.
Release of these small components from clothing is considered to present hazards of choking, swallowing, ingestion, inhaling (aspiration) or insertion into eyes, nose or ears for infants. This age group is particularly vulnerable as they often do not have the language skills to convey the accident to their carers.
In older children and adults, incidents of accidental insertion or swallowing etc are significantly reduced, predominantly due to the ability of the child to remove the component themselves or to explain and obtain medical help.
This document does not apply to:
a)   child care articles;
b)   shoes, boots and similar footwear;
c)   toys (see NOTE 2);
d)   other articles sold with clothing.
NOTE 1   The above items are covered by other CEN Technical Committees and as such are out of the scope of this document.
NOTE 2   Disguise costumes including carnival costumes are examples of clothing which are also toys and fall within the scope of the Toy Safety Directive.

The method described in this document complements
- EN 17394 2:2020, Textiles and textile products - Part 2: Safety of children's clothing - Security of attachment of buttons - Test method
- CEN/TS 17394 3:2021, Textiles and textile products - Part 3: Safety of children's clothing - Security of attachment of metal mechanically applied press fasteners - Test method
and is applicable to all other components including labels, badges, sequins, rhinestones, rivets, eyelets and non-metal press fasteners, which are too small to be gripped in test equipment jaws or their integrity is disrupted by gripping.
The performance requirements are provided in CEN/TS 17394 1:2021.
The method is an extremely aggressive wash method has been developed to assess if the components remain attached.
It is specifically applicable to clothing, where the detachment of these components might result in accidents to children.
This document does not apply to:
a)   child care articles;
b)   shoes, boots and similar footwear;
c)   toys (see NOTE 2);
d)   other articles sold with clothing.
NOTE 1   The above items are covered by other CEN Technical Committees and as such are out of the scope of this document.
NOTE 2   Disguise costumes including carnival costumes are examples of clothing which are also toys and fall within the scope of the Toy Safety Directive.

This document defines a test method for security of attachment of functional and decorative metal mechanically applied press fasteners to children's clothing including for example gloves, hats, scarves, hosiery, ties, and textile belts.
IMPORTANT: Eyelets and rivets cannot be tested by this method as the integrity of the component when attached to textile fabrics is destroyed in the gripping action. Eyelets and rivets are assessed as described in CEN/TS 17394 4:2021.
This document does not apply to:
a)   child care articles;
b)   shoes, boots and similar footwear;
c)   toys (see NOTE 2);
d)   other articles sold with clothing.
NOTE 1   The above items are covered by other CEN Technical Committees and as such are out of the scope of this document.
NOTE 2   Disguise costumes including carnival costumes are examples of clothing which are also toys and fall within the scope of the Toy Safety Directive.
The scope of this document is limited to metal mechanically applied components. Work is in progress to develop standards for other garment components.
- EN 17394 2:2020, Textiles and textile products - Part 2: Safety of children's clothing - Security of attachment of buttons - Test method
- CEN/TS 17394 4:2021, Textiles and textile products - Part 4: Safety of children's clothing - Security of attachment of components except buttons and metal mechanically applied press fasteners - Test method
Performance requirements are provided in CEN/TS 17394 1:2021.

This Technical Report has been written to help all users of EN 14682:2014 with the understanding of garment styling and the harmonized standard.
The document is in 'Question and Answer' format. All the garments mentioned are examples of frequently asked questions raised by the clothing industry or market surveillance authorities. The responses have been reviewed and agreed upon by CEN/TC 248/WG 20.

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.

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.

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.

This Technical Report has been written to help all users of EN 14682:2007 with the understanding of garment styling and the harmonized standard.
The document is in 'Question and Answer' format. All the garments mentioned are examples of frequently asked questions raised by the clothing industry or market surveillance authorities. The responses have been reviewed and agreed upon by CEN/TC 248/WG 20.

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.

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.