Drawstring and sleepwear guidelines

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

When we have new members, I do my best to look over their shops to see what they sell, so that I am better able to advise them on product safety and labeling compliance. I have noticed that I need to give some general information to them and also reminders to all current members. 2 areas that are hot buttons with safety and trigger recalls. Drawstrings. and Sleepwear. please read the following links, and correct any clothing that you have that may be in violation. I have included links that list US and Canada, the EU regulations. If you want to sell to other countries, you need to go by the strictest guidelines. If you want to only sell to the USA and Canada, you can stick with those, but you will need to NOT SELL outside the USA and Canada. Some of these regulations go beyond neck and waist drawstrings and include bows and sashes, For children, you may like those big sweeping bows at the neck, shoulder and back, but if they are caught in a car door, bus door, bicycle or stroller wheel, in playground equipment, they could be a hazard.

Some of these are PDFs that open automatically. Just save into your CPSIA file on your computer. You do have one I assume. If not, you need one to keep all your information for future reference.

https://www.iaaqaservices.bureauveritas.com/OTRS/images/693Bureau_Veritas_Int%27l_Drawstring_Require...

http://www.nordstromsupplier.com/NPG/PDFs/Product%20Integrity/Product%20Testing%20and%20Requirements...

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?rgn=div5&node=16:2.0.1.2.37


Sleepwear and lounge wear whitepaper. Disclaimers of "this is not sleepwear" or doesn't meet sleepwear guidelines" , when you tag it sleepwear won't work. Selling sleepwear and lounge wear that does not meet the regulations will get you in big trouble. Don't do it.

The following looonnnngggg link connects to Bureau Veritas a world wide testing company. It is a pdf paper.

http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0LEV7xwoztXnQQA4JUnnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTEyYjV2NjBqBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ...

[Former_Member]

I sell photography props and my snuggle sacks have a draw string on them and also the diaper covers either have a button or draw string. I didn't realize I needed to be cpsc compliant so any help or suggestions would be great! Thanks!

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Tracy, everything for babies and children under 13 must follow CPSIA. And anything you sell to other countries must meet their safety laws.

[TheDancingPosy]

I would love some help in this area. I want to make some ballet-type wrap sweaters and am researching the regulations. I haven't found any US regulations on sashes or functional ties as closures for clothing, only the EU standards of 14in of free sash. As long as I follow that, am I in compliance (I'm only looking to sell in the US)? It did mention that when tied, the sash can't extend past the hem of the garment. In a top that will be near impossible. However, there are many RTW wrap tops out there for children...

Thanks for help from anyone who has navigated this previously.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Sky, in a post about 3 posts above this one are several links to drawstrings and sashes. The one that is best for your purposes is the one from Nordstroms. They use the strictest guidelines for EU and USA states. http://www.nordstromsupplier.com/NPG/PDFs/Product%20Integrity/Product%20Testing%20and%20Requirements...

[TheDancingPosy]

Beverly, thanks, I have seen that one, but I wasn't sure if I was missing some official US regulations. I will just design to those guidelines though. Thanks.

[Former_Member]

I make a halter type dress out of used t shirts (see shop). I can't seem to find anything definitive regarding strap length or requirements for the type of strap I make. I had no idea all these requirements existed for handmade clothing. I have looked through the links and would love some input or direction. Thanks, Carrie!

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Carrie, I just reread the guidelines both CPSIA and Nordstrom's vendor safety regulations. Don't see anything specifically for halter ties. The object of safety is to not have any tie, ribbon, sash that could become a drag, entrapment or strangulation hazard. The hoods, which go around the neck if pulled off the head, it recommends, buttons or hook and loop (velcro). I think I would alter your design, (which are cute as can be) by not having them tie, but have them a fixed length that overlaps, with no ends dangling. Use 2 buttons securely attached spaced maybe 1" or so with one buttonhole on the other end. The halter could be adjusted by using either button as needed for fit. You could use hook and loop, but it could get caught in their hair.

[SydneyKathryns]

Does this apply to clothing only? I have laundry bags for back to campus with drawstrings, and have begun to wonder about those, too.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Clothing for children. The issue was drawstrings, sashes, belt and things that could and have gotten caught in bus door, and playground equipment and injured/strangled children. A number of children have been drug to death when their clothing has been caught in the bus door as they were leaving the bus and they were killed. Also, going down the slide, when the drawstring was caught in the metal handrail at the top of the slide, children have been choked.

[TheTrendyMunchkin]

Would it be possible for you or someone else to look at my shop and help me out a little? I've had my children's clothing shop for a little over a year now selling mostly leggings and children's nightgowns. I have just been made aware recently of the CSPC guidelines and as such, want to my make sure my items/listings are up to par if at all possible?? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

I don't have strings or bows on my nightgowns but I still want to make sure things are compliant. 

Thank you! 

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Hi, I'm sorry with this new layout in the teams groups new posts do not show up at the top on the first page. I'm not even sure where they do show up, I've search up to the 6th page and only old questions show up. So.  Please accept my apologies for not seeing your questions about your questions. 

I have looked over your shop and the area of concern is with your nightgowns, Infant nightgowns must be able to fit up to 9 months, no larger.  They do not want a baby who can stand and walk around even holding on to the couch or coffee table to wear long nightgown type sleepwear. After they are mobil  they must be in either flame retardent fabric (which no one wants on their children) or in tight fitting night garments.  Your baby nightgowns need to stop at 6-9 months, not 9-12 months and may not be even shown on a toddler as in your pictures.  It leads the consumer to think that you can have them in a larger size.  For your 2 piece sleepwear, you have to follow the measurements on this link and the charts where they show all measurements. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/16/1615.1#d   

I hope that this helps, feel free to contact me direct by convo or my email at Fayemalonedesign@aol.com and I will help you with whatever I can   Beverly