CEN Issues Updated EN 14682 Standard on Safety of Children’s Clothing Cords and Drawstrings

Released on: February 20, 2015, 11:22 am (EST)
Author: Kris Wan
Industry: Industrial

Hong Kong, China, February 20, 2015 -- /EPR NETWORK/ -- The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has recently issued a new version of EN 14682 – “Safety of children’s clothing – Cords and drawstrings on children’s clothing – Specifications”.

Harmonized Standard EN 14682 on Safety of Children’s Clothing

At the end of December 2014, CEN issued the new version which has to be published by each of the national standards bodies within the European Union (EU) by June 2015 at the latest.

The previous (2007) version is a “harmonized standard” as defined by the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) and until the 2014 version is published in the Official Journal (OJ) of the EU, the 2007 version remains the version which gives the “presumption of conformity“ to the safety of children’s clothing with respect to cords and drawstrings.

Note: As conformity with the GPSD requires either the use of a harmonized standard (giving the presumption of conformity) or an equivalent schedule which offers at least the same level of safety, it may be acceptable to adopt the new version ahead of its publication in the OJ.

Improved Safety Standard for Clothing Cords and Drawstrings

The new standard has been produced to address a number of questions raised over the earlier version concerning interpretation and implementation in practice. The new version hopes to make the process of risk assessment clearer and easier to implement with the inclusion of new pictograms and improved definitions. Some terminology also has changed to accommodate design features common to children’s clothing and to avoid unnecessarily restricting the freedom of the clothing designer.

In the foreword of the document a list of the significant changes is given which helps to identify the changes. Care should be taken however when referring to the clause numbers in reports and other documentation, as some of these have changed.

A synopsis of the list follows:

- Bags and purses are added to the scope of exclusions.
- New and revised definitions are listed.
- There is a new Note regarding functional hanging loops.
- The difference in risk between front and back of the garment is considered.
- Clarification is added regarding decorative embellishments in the head and neck area for the youngest children.
- Fasteners and adjusters are considered in shoulder and halter neck straps.
- Difference in risk between close fitting and flowing garments worn below the waist is considered.
- New views on cords attached to sleeves.
- Revised anthropometric data is given.
- Improved measuring procedures are given.
- Improved pictograms provided.

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