PD CEN/TS 17394-1:2021: Ensuring the Safety of Children's Clothing

In the world of textiles and clothing, safety is paramount, especially when it comes to garments designed for infants and young children. The PD CEN/TS 17394-1:2021 standard is a crucial document that addresses the safety of children's clothing, focusing specifically on the security of attachment of components to infants' clothing. This specification is an essential resource for manufacturers, designers, and quality assurance professionals who are committed to ensuring the highest safety standards in children's apparel.

Overview of the Standard

The PD CEN/TS 17394-1:2021 standard, released on January 22, 2021, is a comprehensive document that spans 14 pages. It provides detailed specifications and guidelines to ensure that all attached components on infants' clothing are securely fastened, minimizing the risk of detachment that could lead to choking hazards or other safety concerns. The standard is identified by the ISBN 978 0 539 01691 8 and is currently recognized as a standard in the industry.

Key Features and Benefits

• Comprehensive Guidelines: The standard offers a thorough set of guidelines that cover various aspects of component attachment, ensuring that all potential risks are addressed.
• Focus on Safety: With a primary focus on the safety of infants, this standard helps manufacturers design clothing that meets stringent safety requirements, providing peace of mind to parents and caregivers.
• Industry Recognition: As a recognized standard, compliance with PD CEN/TS 17394-1:2021 demonstrates a commitment to quality and safety, enhancing brand reputation and consumer trust.
• Applicable to Various Components: The standard covers a wide range of attached components, including buttons, zippers, snaps, and decorative elements, ensuring comprehensive safety across all garment types.

Why Safety in Children's Clothing Matters

Children, especially infants, are naturally curious and tend to explore their surroundings with their mouths. This behavior makes them particularly vulnerable to choking hazards posed by small, detachable components on their clothing. Ensuring that these components are securely attached is not just a regulatory requirement but a moral obligation for manufacturers. The PD CEN/TS 17394-1:2021 standard provides the necessary framework to achieve this goal, helping to prevent accidents and ensuring the well-being of the youngest and most vulnerable consumers.

Who Should Use This Standard?

This standard is an invaluable resource for a wide range of professionals in the textile and clothing industry, including:

• Manufacturers: To ensure that their products meet the highest safety standards and comply with industry regulations.
• Designers: To incorporate safety considerations into the design process, creating garments that are both stylish and safe.
• Quality Assurance Teams: To implement rigorous testing and inspection processes that verify the security of attached components.
• Retailers: To source products that meet recognized safety standards, providing assurance to their customers.

Implementing the Standard

Adopting the PD CEN/TS 17394-1:2021 standard involves integrating its guidelines into the design, manufacturing, and quality control processes. This integration ensures that all attached components on infants' clothing are tested for security and durability, reducing the risk of detachment during normal use. By following the standard, companies can enhance their product offerings, reduce liability risks, and contribute to a safer environment for children.

Conclusion

The PD CEN/TS 17394-1:2021 standard is an essential tool for anyone involved in the production and sale of children's clothing. By adhering to its specifications, manufacturers can ensure that their products are safe, reliable, and compliant with industry standards. This commitment to safety not only protects children but also strengthens brand reputation and consumer confidence. Embrace the guidelines set forth in this standard and be a part of the movement towards safer children's clothing.

PD CEN/TS 17394-1:2021

This standard PD CEN/TS 17394-1:2021 Textiles and textile products is classified in these ICS categories:

• 61.020 Clothes
• 97.190 Equipment for children

This document provides requirements for security of attachment for clothing components that are considered as small parts such as buttons, press fasteners, rivets, sequins, diamantes (or pieces of these components) which fit entirely within the small parts cylinder without compression, for infants' clothing. Release of these small components from clothing is considered to present hazards of choking, swallowing, ingestion, inhaling (aspiration) or insertion into eyes, nose or ears for infants. This age group is particularly vulnerable as they often do not have the language skills to convey the accident to their carers. In older children and adults, incidents of accidental insertion or swallowing etc are significantly reduced, predominantly due to the ability of the child to remove the component themselves or to explain and obtain medical help. This document does not apply to: a) child care articles; b) shoes, boots and similar footwear; c) toys (see NOTE 2); d) other articles sold with clothing. NOTE 1 The above items are covered by other CEN Technical Committees and as such are out of the scope of this document. NOTE 2 Disguise costumes including carnival costumes are examples of clothing which are also toys and fall within the scope of the Toy Safety Directive.