Design, Materials And Construction
Garments requires ferrous free trims on all children’s products as they need to go through needle detection process.
Open construction materials
• Fabrics with holes or open construction, such as crochet and lace should be assessed for safety if used for baby wear as there could be a risk of finger/toe entrapment and risk of ischaemic injury.
• Mesh fabrics can cause a risk of entrapment of genitals if used as lining in boy’s swimming trunks. The lining should only be of fabric with soft handle and with hole size of maximum 1.5 mm.
Non-breathable materials (impermeable fabrics)
Due to risk of suffocation, non-breathable materials must not be used in hoods of baby wear, up to and including size 80.
Feathers
Exposed feathers are generally not allowed due to high flammability risk.
Exceptions must be approved by Global Quality Department.
Metallized fibres
Below requirement concerns size 44 up to and including size 98
No loosely twisted or untwisted metallized (Lurex type) threads should be used if exposed so that it is accessible for the child to suck on. For example when used in fringes or tassels.
Fibre shedding / yarn shedding
Due to the tendency of small children to put everything in their mouths, we must consider potential risks for hairy products. Loose fibres can together with the saliva start a felting process in the mouth and thus create a small ball of fibres, which could become a choking risk.
Below requirements concern size 44 up to and including size 80
Long hair alpaca and mohair
Long hair alpaca and mohair are banned due to their tendency of shedding long strong fibres.
Cashmere, angora and possum
Cashmere, angora and possum, should not represent more than 7% of the total composition. It is up to PO to decide/make risk assessment if we need to have even lower % of these fibres to achieve a less hazardous quality.
Untwisted or slightly twisted yarns
Untwisted or slightly twisted yarns should not be used, especially for fringes, pom poms or tassels.
Fake fur/long pile
Fake fur qualities need to pass the Auto in house test for fibre shedding. For detailed instructions regarding this test method – please see Textile Lab manual.
Final product should go through a cleaning process in air blowing machine to remove excess fibres.
Fake fur not recommended for mittens.
Pile
Pile qualities with pile shorter than 5 mm, such as fleece, velour, velvet, terry etc.
must be evaluated through visual check, and by pulling the fibres by hand to make an assessment.
Recycled materials
Additional requirement for size 44 up to and including size 98
Mechanically recycled natural material, recycled plastics or up-cycled material should not be used since we cannot guarantee that it will be safe.
Felt
As felt is easily falling apart into small pieces, woven felt is recommended. For small details a woven felt like Nylex is recommended to be used.
Monofilament thread
Monofilament thread is generally not allowed in any children’s products. This thread is exceptionally strong and wound around a finger or toe the blood supply could be cut off.
Monofilament thread is only allowed to be used for attaching sequins as long as the length of monofilament thread that can form a loop or string with free end, is maximum 1 cm for sizes up to and including size 98, and maximum 7,5 cm long for sizes above 98.
2.9 Float stitches
Float stitches wound around a finger or toe can cut off the blood supply. Babies are especially vulnerable as they cannot communicate the source of distress. Below requirements concerns size 44 up to and including size 80
Products covering hand or foot area must not have any thread ends or float stitches longer than 1 cm.
This concerns mainly jacquard, knitted patterns, embroideries and appliqués.
Blanket stitch, chain stitch
Blanket stitch must be properly secured at beginning and end so that the thread does not unravel and form loops.
Below requirement concerns size 44 up to and including size 98 No chain stitches for attachment of small parts.
Embroidery/appliqué
Embroideries/appliqués could be scratchy on the back side. Where there is a risk of skin abrasion it is recommended to use a fusible interlining or full panel lining.
Filling material
Filling material for padded or stuffed products should not contain any hard, sharp or foreign objects.
Additional requirement for size 44 up to and including size 98
Product must be constructed so that filling material is inaccessible and secure.
Glass, mother of pearl, shell, resin based plastic
Buttons or other trims like beads must not be made from glass, shell, and mother of pearl since these materials break easily and become sharp. When using resin based plastic this must be evaluated carefully as this plastic could be very brittle and become sharp when broken.
Below requirement concerns size 44 up to and including size 98
Buttons should not be made from wood or coconut as these materials are porous and uneven, and thus have a risk of breaking and becoming small parts.
Sharp edges and sharp points
Sharp edges and points are a risk for cutting the skin and damaging eyes.
• It is not allowed to have any sharp edges or points.
• Glass, shell and mother of pearl is not allowed since these materials can easily break to form sharp edges. When using resin based plastic this must be evaluated carefully as this plastic could be very brittle and become sharp when broken.
• Touch and close fasteners shall have rounded corners, or sewn with no exposed edges. The male part (scratchy part with hooks) should be directed away from the body to avoid skin abrasion.
• Metal wires of any kind are not allowed.
Food imitation
Products that look like food or drink might be mistaken as such by children.
We are not allowed to sell any products or packaging that can be mistaken for foods or drinks. Printed food is OK.
Glitter, plastic prints, foil print
Below requirements concern size 44 up to and including size 98
Glitter, plastic print and foil prints can cause choking if coming loose as small parts. This has to be risk assessed for each product.
Small individual glitter sprinkles coming off is acceptable from safety point of view.
However, it is not acceptable if chunks of glitter can come off.
Scented products / smelling prints
Scented products should be avoided as much as possible. In exceptional cases where scented products are needed, Global Quality Department must give an approval.
Stone wash & other treatments
Below requirements concern size 44 up to and including size 98
Pockets on stonewashed garments must be loosely stitched together before wash. During finishing process the stitches should be removed. The garments must be thoroughly checked, to make sure that no stone fragments are left in the pockets or in any folds of the garments.
For all special treatments such as stone wash, sand wash, softener etc it is important that the garments are rinsed properly to ensure no residues are left in the garments.
Hoods
Due to risk of suffocation, non-breathable/wind-proof materials must not be used in hoods of baby wear, up to and including size 80.
No hoods are to be added to pyjamas, up to and including size 80 due to the risk of overheating. Hoods may be used on nightwear that is not intended for sleep, such as bathrobes and dressing gowns.
Detachable hoods sizes 68-170
Outerwear with hoods
Hoods on outerwear must be detachable to reduce the risk of entrapment.
The detachable hood should be attached by press buttons or touch and close fasteners. This enables the hood to detach and reduce the risk of an accident if the child would get caught in the hood when playing. It is not allowed to use zippers or sewn on buttons as these will not detach in case of entrapment.
Innerwear with hoods
Innerwear styles visually looking too much like outerwear shall have a detachable hood. This includes styles which have:
• pile lining where the pile is exceeding a length of 5 mm
• quilted or very thick linings
For help assessing whether the garment is outdoor or indoor, please contact Global Quality Department.
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