NO. 005/08 JANUARY 2007 SGS CONSUMER TESTING SERVICES

BS 7907:2007 Code of practice for the design & manufacture of children’s clothing to promote mechanical safety was published in December 2007 after a thorough review and revision. Now more than 50 pages in length, this standard is more useful, more precise and more helpful than ever before. EN 14682:2007 Safety of children’s clothing – Cords and drawstrings on children’s clothing – Specifications was published in December 2007 after a thorough review and revision. Now 30 pages long it contains better definitions and diagrams to describe the tests and garment parts more precisely. BS 7907:2007 Although it is a British Standard publication, its readership has been worldwide as it is regarded as the leading publication of its type anywhere in the world. This new version will be of interest to manufacturers, buyers and designers of children’s clothing in the Far East, Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Americas as well as in Britain. It has been 10 years since the first version was published and in that time, many questions have been asked. This version attempts to answer those and other questions as well as to standardise on methods of test particularly in respect of security of attachment for buttons, bows, pom-poms, fasteners of all descriptions, sequins etc.

Softlines SAFEGUARDS

Children’s wear Safety BSI Publishes the long awaited revision of BS 7907

CEN publishes the revision of EN 14682

One of the most welcome improvements over the previous version is the table of recommended values and the specification of test methods for the removal of

attachments such as buttons and sequins and other non-graspable items. The standard has a new section on hazards and r i s k a n d r i s k assessment, it of course refers to EN 14682 the

European standard concerning cords and drawstrings in children’s clothing and has tables of expected minimum performance levels especially for attachment security. There is also a section on packaging and display of children’s clothing for sale. The new version covers the following in more detail than previously: ♦ Ischemic injuries ♦ Entrapment of the penis in zips ♦ Injuries from sharp objects ♦ Choking, aspiration, swallowing and suffocation ♦ Strangulation, entrapment and tripping ♦ Restriction of vision and hearing ♦ Overheating ♦ Slipping, tripping and falling

It examines the components of the garment and the manufacturing process: ♦ The fabrics used ♦ The filling materials ♦ Sewing threads ♦ Attachments

• Buttons • Bows and labels • Rubber and soft plastic embellishments • Pom-poms and tassels • Sequins, beads etc • Diamante and heat fused components • Press fasteners • Magnets • Elastication • Touch & Close fasteners • Slide fasteners • Cords and strings • Neck ties • Integral feet • Hoods • Embroidery and appliqué • Stone washing

♦ Risks from manufacture ♦ Pins and staples ♦ Sewing needles ♦ Knitting needles and points ♦ Sharp tools ♦ Metal detection

EN 14682:2007 In this review, careful consideration was given to risk assessment and the many questions received by the committee regarding interpretation of the previous version. This has resulted in clarification of aspects of design and three new appendices showing pictorial examples of garment parts to aid the user in creating a safer children’s garment design. In all, these standards are an essential reference guide to the designer, maker, buyer and seller of children’s wear and a “must have” for all those who would be sure of meeting their obligations in respect of the European General Product Safety Directive and similar legislation elsewhere.

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Some examples of recent “Recalls” from sale due to unsafe manufacturing practices:

Disclaimer: The Rapid Alert System for Non-Food Products (RAPEX)- Weekly overview reports of RAPEX notifications. The official contact points of the Member and EFTA-EEA States provide the information published in these weekly overviews. Under the terms of Annex II.10 to the General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC) responsibility for the information provided lies with the notifying party. The Commission does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the information provided.

Notifying country

Product

Danger Measures adopted by notifying

country

United Kingdom

Category: Clothing Product: Children pants – Franz mini pants Brand: Me too Type/number of model: 5 707297319550 Description: Child’s check trousers age 9-12 months. Drawstring on waist with plastic toggle. Country of origin: Denmark

C h o k i n g a n d s u f f o c a t i o n . The product poses a serious risk of: - choking because the plastic toggle/cordgrip on draw string can easily be detached and fitting entirely within t h e s m a l l p a r t s c y l i n d e r , - suffocation by strangulation because the decorative cords on the sample protruded 150mm (maximum a l lowed length i s 140mm). The product does not comply with the relevant European standard EN-71 and EN 14682.

V o l u n t a r y withdrawal from the market.

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For the USA: In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled at the neck and waist by drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts. SGS offices and laboratories around the world will be able to assess garment design against the above standards and advise on compliance but remember the earlier in the supply chain problems are detected, the easier they are to remedy.

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For enquiries: Global Competences Support Centre, gcsc@sgs.com Rob Croskell, + 44 (0) 1379 668625 or Rob.Croskell@sgs.com Ruth HON, + 852 2774 7148 or ruth.hon@sgs.com

Notifying country

Product

Danger Measures adopted by notifying country

Germany Category: Clothing Product: Hooded sweater Brand: Jacky Baby So Jacky Baby sweater Type/number of model: Barcode: 7000100718711, 434-292723/3110. Description: Green baby sweater with hood, size 56/1-2 months, 2 front pockets. Country of origin: Unknown

Choking and suffocation. This product poses a risk of: - choking because the ends of drawstrings, functional cords, decorative cords and sashes should not be knotted and must be secured through heat sealing or bars to prevent them from fraying. Through the fraying of the ends, parts of the ends could become detached and, if swallowed, result in the infant choking, - suffocation because the hooded jacket, size 56, has drawstrings in the neck area. There is a danger of the drawstrings getting caught in moving vehicles or toys, which could lead to suffocation by strangulation. The product does not comply with the requirements of the relevant European standard EN 14682.

Voluntary withdrawal from the market by the producer.

Hungary Category: Clothing Product: Children's upper garment Brand: SAIHUXIAO Type/number of model: F 806 Description: Plush children’s upper garment with a hood and a butterfly pattern on the front. The hood includes drawstring and plastic toggle. Size: 2-3. Country of origin: China

Suffocation. This product poses a serious risk of suffocation by strangulation due to the drawstring and plastic toggle provided with the hood of the children’s clothing. The product does not comply with the relevant European standard EN 14682.

Withdrawal from the market and recall from consumers ordered by the authorities