Children's clothing suggested practice

05 Jul '11

4 min read

As a general guide, the ACCC suggests that manufacturers and retailers supplying children's clothing carefully assess the safety of all drawstrings, decorative cords, shoulder straps and functional cords protruding from the back of all children's clothing. The ACCC also suggests alternatives such as removable sashes and belts as safer options.

It is recommended that suppliers undertake a risk assessment incorporating the safety features detailed below. These safety features are based on the following voluntary US and European standards:

• ASTM F 1816-97 Standard Safety Specification for Drawstrings on Children's Upper
Outerwear;
• EN 14682:2007 Safety of Children's Clothing - Cords and Drawstrings on Children's Clothing – Specifications.

Hood and Neck
Young children from birth to 7 years - garments should not have drawstrings, functional cords or decorative cords. Decorative items such as bows should not have any free ends longer than 75 mm or loops greater than 75 mm.

Older children and young persons aged 7 to 14 years - garments including jackets and windcheaters should not have drawstrings with any free ends.

It is preferred that these garments use alternative closures such as, but not limited to, snaps, buttons or Velcro, rather than drawstrings. Functional and decorative cords should not measure more that 75 mm in length at either end.

Waist/Lower-Hem
The end of any waist or lower-hem drawstrings should measure no more than 75 mm from where the string extends out of the garment to its end, when the garment is expanded to its fullest width.

If garments are supplied with drawstrings the ACCC also suggests that:

• the drawstring be sewn to the garment at its midpoint so the string can not be pulled to one side and lengthened enough to catch on something;
• toggles or knots at the ends of all drawstrings are eliminated where possible as these can create a 'hook' or stopper that gets caught in small spaces. Other alternatives are encouraged in these cases;
• lower/ankle hem drawstrings should be finished on the inside of the garment.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

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