Japan’s New Standard for Cords and Drawstrings Promotes Children’s Clothing Safety

Cords and drawstrings on children’s clothing pose the risk of accidental strangulation and entrapment. Several countries have already set safety requirements to minimize the risk of accident.

FDJIS L 4129 Targets Cords and Drawstrings

In June 2014, the Japanese Industrial Standards Committee (JISC) decided to formulate a new standard to ensure that children’s clothes placed on the Japanese market are safe with regard to cords and drawstrings according to the requirements of the FDJIS L 4129 (final draft version). The final JIS will be promulgated in December 2015.

Similar Scopes for FDJIS L 4129 and EN 14682

The new FDJIS L 4129 requires related industries to meet standards for such cords and drawstrings based on age group and body part to ensure that all children’s clothing is safe. FDJIS L 4129 applies to all clothing with cords or drawstrings designed for children under 13 years of age, and the general requirements are similar to those stated in the European safety standard: EN 14682, but with some modifications made.

Scope:

- Defines the requirements for cords and drawstrings attached to children’s clothing.
- Applies to cords and drawstrings on children’s clothing for children up to 13 years of age.

Items not covered by standard:

a) Bibs, diapers, pacifier holders, other products for children and childcare such as underwear.
b) Shoes, boots or the like.
c) Gloves, hats, mufflers, scarves and socks.
d) Ties designed to wear with shirts and blouses.
e) Belts, suspenders and armbands.
f) Clothing for private ceremonies or religious ceremonies, as well as clothing used for national or regional festivals.
g) Special sportswear or clothes for activities worn for a limited time under the supervision of caretakers of children excluding everyday clothes and nightwear.
h) Costumes for theatrical performances.
i) Aprons worn over every day wear for a limited time to protect children from paint or food stains when painting or eating under the supervision of caretakers of children.
j) Japanese clothing (e.g. underwear for newborns, jinbe, yukata, etc.).

Note that it is desirable to set separate safety standards for these products as needed.

Young child: children under 7 years of age from birth.
Old child: children over 7 years of age and under 13 years of age.

In addition to the general requirements on cords and drawstrings for children’s clothing, the standard also includes risk assessment consideration in Appendix E (Reference) to minimize the risk to children of accidentally being tangled in strings attached to their clothes; and safety of hoods in Appendix F (Reference).

References:

- Announcement of the Draft JIS Concerning Children’s Clothing (New Safety Standard for Cords and Drawstrings)
- JSA Web Store – FDJIS L 4129
- SGS SafeGuardS Bulletin no. 015/15 – January 2015

About SGS Softlines Services

Documents for FDJIS L 4129 are written in Japanese. However, SGS is prepared to update any interested parties on this standard as well as on the latest Japanese regulations on textile and apparel products.

SGS Global Softlines has an extensive network of over 40 laboratories worldwide, with a strong team of committed professionals from multi-disciplinary backgrounds. Its internationally accredited state-of-the-art testing laboratories offer a comprehensive range of physical and mechanical tests, chemical and functional testing services for components, materials and finished products. SGS helps companies ensure quality, performance and compliance with international, industrial and regulatory standards worldwide.

For further details, please do not hesitate to contact an SGS representative.

Contact details:

SGS Consumer Testing Services
Kris Wan
Senior Manager, Global Softlines Development Office
SGS Hong Kong

t: +852 2765 3695
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.sgs.com/softlines

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