Suppliers of children’s clothing with small, attached components to
markets in the European Union (EU) are advised that the European Committee for
Standardization (CEN) has developed four new documents that should be referred
to when ensuring compliance with the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD).
The four documents – one EU standard and three Technical Specifications
(TS) – are based upon CEN/TR 16792:2014 – Safety of children’s clothing –
Recommendations for the design and manufacture of children’s clothing –
Mechanical safety.
They are:
- 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 - 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 - CEN/TS 17394-1:2021 – Textiles and Textile Products – Part 1: Safety of Children’s Clothing – Security of
Attachment of Attached Components to Infants’ Clothing – Specification
EN 17394-2:2020 defines
the test method for the security of attachment for functional and decorative
buttons on a wide variety of children’s clothing. It covers only sewn-on
buttons, toggle buttons and tack buttons.
Components not under the scope of EN 17394-2:2020 must be
considered using either:
- CEN/TS 17394-3:2021 – which defines the test method for assessing
the security of attachment of functional and decorative metal mechanically
applied press fasteners on a wide variety of children’s clothing. It cannot be
used to assess eyelets and rivets - CEN/TS 17394-4:2021 – involving an extremely aggressive wash
method, this can be used to assess all other components including labels,
badges, sequins, rhinestones, rivets, eyelets and non-metal press fasteners.
These are too small to be gripped in test equipment jaws or their integrity may
be disrupted by gripping
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Performance recommendations are provided in CEN/TS 17394-1:2021. This provides the requirements for the security of
attachment for children’s 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.
It should be noted that these documents
do not apply to childcare articles, footwear, toys, other articles sold with
clothing. Disguise clothing, such as carnival clothing, falls under the EU Toy
Safety Directive.
SGS Softlines Services
SGS has a worldwide network of over 40
state-of-the-art laboratories specializing in testing of apparel, footwear and
home textiles. Their committed team is drawn from multi-disciplinary
backgrounds, allowing them to carry out a comprehensive range of physical,
chemical and functional testing services for components, materials and finished
products. SGS helps companies ensure quality, performance and compliance with
international, industrial and regulatory standards worldwide. Learn more about SGS’s Softlines Services.
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For further information contact:
Louann Spirito
Consumer and Retail — Softlines
US & Canada Softlines Business Head
Tel: +1 973 461 7919
Email: crs.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/softlines
LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail
About SGS
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