Code of Practice for the Design and Manufacture of Children’s
Clothing to Promote Mechanical Safety
1 Scope
This standard specifies the implementation specifications of materials, design and manufacture of children's (under 14 years old) clothing to improve mechanical safety of children's clothing.
This standard is applicable to the children's (under 14 years old) clothing.
2 Normative References
The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this standard, constitute provisions of this standard. For dated reference, subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications do not apply. However, all parties coming to an agreement according to this standard are encouraged to study whether the latest editions of these documents are applicable. For undated references, the latest edition of the normative document referred to applies.
GB/T 1335.3 Standard sizing systems for garments - Children
GB/T 6529 Textiles—Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
GB/T 8685 Textiles—Care labelling code using symbols
GB/T 15557 Standard terminology relating to apparel
GB/T 22702 Standard safety size for drawstrings on children’s upper wear
GB/T 22705 Safety specifications for cords and drawstrings on children’s clothing
FZ/T 80003 Textiles and garments-Seam types-Classification and terminology
QB/T 2171 Metal slide fasteners
QB/T 2172 Injection molding slide fasteners
QB/T 2173 Nylon slide fasteners
3 Terms and Definitions
For the purposes of this standard, the terms and definitions established in GB/T 15557 and the following ones apply.
3.1
Filling material
Waddings and foams which are encased in fabric to form part of the structure of a garment
3.2
Fit trial
Supervised fitting of a prototype garment.
3.3
Foreign objects
Objects not intended to belong to the product.
3.4
Non-detachable components
Components attached to a garment that are not intended to detach during normal use.
3.5
Ischemic injuries
Injuries to parts of the body resulting from a restriction of blood circulation.
3.6
Motif
Decorative attachment, usually made from fabric, which may be secured to a garment by stitching or adhesive.
Note: in this standard, “motif” doesn’t include printed designs which are which are applied as a coating directly to the fabric.
3.7
Snap; press fasteners
If fastening devices usually consisting of male and female component parts; components of each gender are attached to corresponding parts of the garment and fasten together by aligning and applying force.
3.8
Repeated aftercare
A number of aftercare treatments, in accordance with the care label, to reflect the intended end use and useful life of a garment.
3.9
Hazard
Potential source of harm to the wearer.
3.10
Risk
Probable rate of occurrence of a hazard causing harm to the wearer and the degree of severity of the harm.
3.11
Risk assessment
Thorough evaluation of potential mechanical hazards to the end user resulting from the design, construction, materials or components of a garment.
3.12
Sharp objects
Objects with edges or points which are exposed or may become exposed and which are likely to cause a cutting or piercing injury to the wearer
3.13
Touch and close fastener
Fastener comprising hook surface and knap surface tapes, one engages the other forming a secure closure, which is also called as velcro.
3.14
Wear trial
User trial by the originator of a garment in order to obtain information on the wear performance and characteristics of the garment
3.15
Mechanical hazard
Injuries such as tripping, slipping, falling, choking, induced vomiting, entrapment, lacerations and restricted blood circulation, suffocation and strangulation of the wearer caused by the non-physical chemical property factors of garment, are detailed in Appendix A.
4 Exchange of Information
4.1 General
The exchange of information between all parties concerned with the design and manufacturing operations should be arranged that the party has a full knowledge of the particulars of the work and provides information to other parties to cooperate to complete mechanically safe garments. Information should include the results of any risk assessments carried out. See 6.1.
4.2 Design details
The designer must provide the requirements of relevant materials and components to the purchasing department and production department in written, picture, template or prototype garment type, including:
——Description of the garment and the intended end use and age group;
——Description and positions of any buttons or press fasteners to be attached to the garment;
——Description and function of any slide fastener to be attached to the garment;
——Description and position of any touch and close fastener to be attached to the garment;
——Description and position of any filling material and foam to be incorporated in the garment;
——Description and position of any elasticated area of the garment;
——Description and position of any pom-pom, bow or motif to be attached to the garment;
——Description and position of any cord or ribbon to be attached to the garment;
——Description of any hood to be attached to the garment;
——The results of the risk assessment, see 6.1.
5 Materials and Components
5.1 General
Materials and components should be purchased from suppliers operating a quality management system. Care labels shall be correctly selected according to the requirements of GB/T 8685. Components should not break or disintegrate when subjected to repeated garment aftercare in accordance with the care label. The type and frequency of aftercare processes shall be taken into consideration when assessing safety-critical performance values. All performance tests should be carried out after at least five appropriate aftercare processes.
5.2 Fabric
5.2.1 Fabrics should not present a mechanical risk or hazard to the wearer when forming part of a garment.
5.2.2 Fabric used to support a sewn-on component, for example a button, shall not be tear at unduly low loads, and reinforcement material should be used at the suture of component. The test method of tear-off force of garment component, see Appendix B.
5.3 Filling materials
Filling materials, for example those used for quilting or waddings, should not contain any hard or sharp objects.
5.4 Thread
Monofilament sewing thread is used to process zephyr or knitted fabric, and shall not be used in the manufacture of children’s garments. Thread used to support a sewn-on component, for example a button, shall not break at unduly low loads. The test method of tear-off force of garment component, see Appendix B.
5.5 Non-detachable components
5.5.1 Buttons
5.5.1.1 All buttons used on children’s clothing should pass the strength tests given in Appendix C. Buttons composed of more than one rigid component which could disassemble to cause a hazard, or could separate from the garment, shall not be used on garments designed for children (90cm or below in height) aged three years old and under.
Note: in this standard, refer to GB/T 1335.3 for the child height.
5.5.1.2 Button should not have sharp edges since these may have danger.
5.5.1.3 Buttons should not be used which bear any resemblance to food.
5.5.2 Other components
On garments for children (90 cm or below in height) aged three years old and under, pom-poms should not be used, motif, patterns and labels should not be attached on garment only by adhesive; it shall be guaranteed that garment not fall off after several times of aftercare.
5.6 Slide fasteners
The purchase of slide fasteners shall comply with QB/T 2171, QB/T 2172 and QB/T 2173. Slide fasteners with plastic elements (teeth) may reduce the severity of an injury if entrapment does occur.
5.7 Elastics
Elastics should be used elastics without introducing a risk of injury to the wearer, see 6.7.
6 Design
6.1 General
Not only the complete range of sizes to be manufactured, the age-related abilities of the child and the circumstances under which the garment is intended for use shall be taken into consideration, but also the mechanical hazards under any circumstances such as tripping, slipping, falling, choking, induced vomiting, entrapment, lacerations and restricted blood circulation, suffocation and strangulation, see Appendix A. Each potential hazard needs to be considered and actions taken to minimize risks.
6.2 Cords, ribbons, bows and neckties
6.2.1 The design of the cords and drawstrings of garment shall meet the requirements of GB/T 22702 and GB/T 22705.
6.2.2 The bows on the garments designed for children (90 cm or below in height) aged three years old and under shall be fixed to prevent mistaken eating, and the bow tail end shall not exceed 5 cm. The ends of ribbon and bow shall be fixed sufficiently and not loose. Appropriate techniques include bartacking, heat sealing, or the use of plastic sleeve on cords. Where plastic sleeve is used to terminate cords, it shall withstand a pull-off force of at least 100 N, the test in accordance with the procedure in Appendix D.
6.2.3 Neckties similar to the those for adults are not allowed to use on the garments for children (100 or below in height) under 5 years old. Children's necktie shall be easily to pull off, and avoid winding; touch and close fastener or clamp may be used on neckline.
6.3 Fillings and foams
6.3.1 Garments which contain fillings or foam should be designed so that the filling material is inaccessible and secure for children .
6.3.2 The garment should be manufactured to ensure that the seams which encapsulate the filling material are strong enough not to fail in wear.
6.4 Garments with integral feet
Slip resistance of garments with feet which are intended as indoor clothing shall be reinforced. An example is the use of a friction enhancing surface bonded to the fabric on the sole of the garment.
6.5 Hoods
6.5.1 Sleep-wear designed for children (90cm and below in height) aged three years old and under should not have hoods.
6.5.2 When designing garments with hoods and headwear, the hazards affecting children’s vision or hearing shall be minimized.
6.5.3 Designers should carry out a risk assessment for the possibility of snagging and entrapment. Where this is found to be a problem, measures should be taken to minimize the risk.
6.6 Garment sizing
According to GB/T 1335.3 or other suitable anthropometric data.
6.7 Elasticated cuffs
Elasticated cuffs can cause a reduction in blood flow to the hands or feet if the elastic is too tight or too strong and is of particular concern in babywear garments. The design shall refer to GB/T 1335.3. Records of materials used and of critical measurements shall form part of the manufacturing specification and these should include relaxed and stretch measurements.
6.8 Slide fasteners in boys’ trousers
6.8.1 functional slide fasteners shall not be used in the fly area of garments designed for boys (100cm and below in height) aged five years old and under.
6.8.2 It is recommended that all boys’ garments with a zip fly are designed with an inner flap at least 2 cm wide secured by stitching across the fly opening at the bottom.
7 Manufacturing Procedures
7.1 General
Manufacturers should document their manufacturing practices and procedures keeping adequate records of all activities relating to product safety. Records should be in a form which allows traceability
7.2 Elastication
The size of elastics at loose state shall be issued in the manufacturing specification and the stitching procedures, see 6.7.
7.3 Sharp objects
Pins, staples or other sharp objects used in the manufacture of clothing can cause serious injury if they come into contact with the wearer. Manufacturers should avoid their use.
7.4 Sewing needles
7.4.1 Manufacturers shall practice good housekeeping and have documented procedures to ensure that garments are not contaminated with needles or needle fragments. It is recommended that a needle control procedure is adopted by manufacturer, which includes:
a) Identify a person who will be responsible for the issue of needles;
b) Ensure that only the designated person has access to needles;
c) Ensure that new needles are only issued on receipt of the old ones;
d) Require all pieces of a broken needle to be retrieved or destruction of the offending garment;
e) Record all incidents of broken needles and details of the actions taken.
7.4.2 The procedure and the actions taken should be in written form enabling the system to be independently audited.
7.4.3 the above method is also applicable to knitting machine needles and linking points.
7.5 Metal contamination
7.5.1 Metal detection
7.5.1.1 Metal detector scanning of garments can provide additional security against contamination although it shall complement needle control and other procedures and not be in place of them.
7.5.1.2 Metal detection devices shall be calibrated daily to ensure that the sensitivity of the equipment is correct.
7.5.1.3 Metal detection shall be carried out prior to the attachment of metal components.
7.5.1.4 needle detector and compatible instrument shall be used after production is completed.
7.5.2 Garment identification
Inspected garments should be clearly identifiable from those not yet inspected or rejected garments.
7.6 Buttons
Buttons attached by lockstitch and handstitch re generally more secure provided that the process is adequately controlled. Buttons attached by chainstitch can be prone to becoming detached and should not be used for garments for children (90cm or above in height) aged three years old and under. The stitch type classifications, take reference to FZ/T 80003.
7.7 Press fasteners
7.7.1 Instructions relating to the application of press fasteners shall be made available to those involved in the process. This shall include the type of press fastener and the position etc.
7.7.2 Manufacturers shall have a procedure to control the fastness of press fasteners, and shall test the fastness of press fasteners according to Appendix E:
a) Ensure that suitable fasteners are selected, see 5.1;
b) Ensure the accuracy of metal formwork and setting;
c) Set out machine inspection routines and frequencies;
d) Set out garment inspection criteria;
e) Record abnormal phenomenon for inquire in the future;
f) Clearly label or otherwise identify all non-conforming garments and separate them from production;
g) Pinch settings on press fastener machines shall be recorded and checked at least twice per shift to ensure correct application of the press fastener.
h) Pre-washed garments shall be attached with press fasteners after washing process.
7.8 Fillings and foams
When processing seam allowance of fillings or foams, adequate seam allowance shall be taken, see 6.3.
8 Inspection and Testing of Materials and Garments
8.1 General
8.1.1 It is essential that personnel involved in inspection and testing are supplied with all relevant information to enable them to perform their task effectively.
8.1.2 Safety inspection of garments shall be carried out during the construction of the garment and after completion of the garment.
8.2 Component attachment
Components shall not become detached as a result of fabric failure (see 5.2.2) or thread failure (see 5.4), see Appendix B and Appendix E.
8.3 Loose threads and floats
There shall be no loose threads or uncut floats longer than 1 cm in the hand or foot area of garments designed for children (75 cm or below in height) up to 12 months old.
8.4 Foreign objects
Completed garments shall be inspected to ensure that foreign objects are not present. Garments with feet shall be turned inside out to ensure the conducting of inspection.
8.5 Disposal of rejected garments
Garments which are rejected shall be clearly marked to distinguish them from perfect garments. Garments which have been rejected for safety reasons shall only be released for sale after they have been corrected.
Foreword
1 Scope
2 Normative References
3 Terms and Definitions
4 Exchange of Information
5 Materials and Components
7 Manufacturing Procedures
8 Inspection and Testing of Materials and Garments
Appendix A (informative) Potential Mechanical Hazards to Children from Their Clothing
Appendix B (normative) Test Method for Determining the Fall-off Strength of a Sewn-on Component
Appendix C (normative) Test Method of Button Strength
Appendix D (normative) Test method for Determining the Security of Plastic Sleeve on Cords
Appendix E (normative) Test Method for Determining the Operability of Press Fasteners Attached to the Fabric Best wishes by Means Other than Sewing
