EU/UK – All Four Documents Related to Security of Attachments for the Safety of Children’s Clothing Have Now Been Published

Vol. 1221 | 26 Jan 2021

CEN (the European standardisation body) has now published the four new documents – three test methods and one specification – for the safety of children’s clothing that address the security of attached components (refer to Insight Vol. 1212 for previous announcement).

The newly published test methods and specification will replace the test methods and requirements that were originally included in the under-revision CEN/TR 16792. These were prepared under the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD 2001/95/EC), which requires that only safe products shall be placed on the market and components that are attached to children’s clothing should be securely attached and remain attached during the foreseeable use of the product.

The four new documents are as listed below.

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.

• This is a specification and is intended to be supported by the test methods listed below.
• Provides requirements for buttons, press fasteners, rivets, sequins, diamantes.
• Applicable for infant clothing (Up to 36 months and height of 98cm)
• Not applicable for toys, childcare articles, footwear, or articles sold with clothing.

EN 17394-2: 2020 – Textiles and textile products – Safety of children's clothing — Security of attachment of buttons – Test Method

• Defines a test method for the attachment strength of functional and decorative buttons to clothing, including gloves, hats, scarves, hosiery, ties and textile belts.
• Defines specific equipment for the purpose of gripping the buttons.
• Includes sewn-on buttons, toggle buttons and tack buttons.
• When tested according to EN 17394-2:2020 the removal force shall be as per below table.
  

  Size (mm)	Minimum Removal Force (N)
  ≥6	70
  ≥3 to <6	50

• No detached button or part of button, when pulled to the appropriate removal force, shall be a small part.

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

• Defines a test method for the attachment strength of functional and decorative metal mechanically applied press fasteners (poppers) to clothing, including gloves, hats, scarves, hosiery, ties and textile belts.
• Not intended for eyelets or rivets as the gripping action may damage the integrity of the component. They must be tested to CEN/TS 17394-4 instead.
• When tested according to CEN/TS 17394-3:2020 the removal force shall be as per below table.
  

  Size (mm)	Minimum Removal Force (N)
  ≥6	70
  ≥3 to <6	50

• No detached component or part of component, when pulled to the appropriate removal force, shall be a small part.

CEN/TS 17394-4: 2020 - 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

• Defines a test method for assessing the attachment of all other components including labels, badges, sequins, rhinestones, rivets, eyelets and non-metal press fasteners (poppers) which are too small to be gripped using the specified equipment or their integrity is affected by griping.
• Test uses an extremely aggressive wash cycle known as a durawash to assess if the components are securely attached.
• Garments are washed 10°C above care label temperature and are also tumble dried, even garments with “Do not tumble dry” care labels.
• When tested according to CEN/TS 17394-4:2021 the component shall not be detached. No detached component or part of component shall be a small part.
• These requirements do not apply to fabric, fuzz, elastic yarn or string, which are excluded from these requirements. (However tightly packed or stuffed component made of fabrics and/ or yarn are not excluded.)

For more information:

Dave Smith
dave.smith@intertek.com