CPSC Reinforces Children’s Sleepwear and Loungewear Enforcement Policy to Apparel Industry

CPSC Reinforces Childrens Sleepwear and Loungewear Enforcement Policy to Apparel Industry

Agency standards designed to prevent burn injuries to children

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an effort to remind the industry of their obligations associated with childrens sleepwear and loungewear, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissions (CPSCs) Director of Compliance and Field Operations sent a letter (pdf) to manufacturers, distributors, importers and retailers today reinforcing CPSC staffs enforcement policy on childrens sleepwear and loungewear.

Highlights in the letter to industry review the definition of childrens sleepwear including loungewear as a type of childrens sleepwear. The Commissions regulations define the term childrens sleepwear to include any product of wearing apparel (in sizes 014), such as nightgowns, pajamas, or similar or related items, such as robes, intended to be worn primarily for sleeping or activities related to sleeping. This definition exempts: (1) diapers and underwear; (2) infant garments, sized for a child nine months of age or younger; and (3) tight-fitting garments that meet specific maximum dimensions.

In the 1990s, a category of products called loungewear was introduced into the childrens market. CPSC staff views childrens loungewear, or other similar garments marketed as comfort wear, as garments worn primarily for sleep-related activities. Therefore, loungewear must comply with the childrens sleepwear standards.

The letter includes a summary of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) requirements for manufacturers and importers of childrens sleepwear sold online or in stores. These requirements include tracking labels, a certificate of compliance and testing requirements for phthalates, lead content and lead in surface coatings on snaps, zipper pulls and elsewhere on the product.

The CPSC is the federal safety agency responsible for the enforcement of the Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA), which includes protecting the public from the hazards of flammable fabrics, interior furnishings and wearing apparel, including childrens sleepwear.

The childrens sleepwear standards were developed to prevent childrens sleepwear from igniting due to exposure to ignition sources, such as matches/lighters, candles, ranges, stoves, space heaters and fireplaces. Most of the ignition incidents occurred while children were wearing sleepwear or sleep-related items during the evening before bedtime or in the morning around breakfast time.