Australia Proposes New Draft of the Voluntary Children’s Nightwear Standard

Standards Australia has recently released a draft revised version of the voluntary Children’s Nightwear Standard - AS/NZS 1249. The public comment period is open until 19 August 2013 (1).

Voluntary Children’s Nightwear Labeling Standard

Children’s nightwear is subject to a mandatory standard in Australia (2) and must comply with certain safety and labeling requirements. The Australian Government adopted the majority of the voluntary standard of Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1249:2003 (3) – Children’s nightwear and limited daywear having reduced fire hazard, with variations and additions made by the Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standards) (Children’s Nightwear and Paper Patterns for Children’s Nightwear) Regulation 2007 (4) as part of the mandatory standard for “Children’s nightwear and paper patterns for children’s nightwear”. Therefore, the requirements for children’s nightwear in the regulation closely follow the voluntary standard AS/NZS 1249:2003.

Covered Types of Children’s Nightwear

The AS/NZS 1249 standard covers four different types of children’s nightwear and limited types of daywear. The standard specifies that the covered items should be labeled with low or high fire danger categories and symbols. The significant proposed changes in the revised standard include:

- Introduction of new requirements for fabrics that melt or drip.
- Trim requirements have been simplified and rationalized.
- Many all-in-one garments are excluded from the standard.
- A new cautionary label includes the introduction of the flame symbol.

To comply with the mandatory standard for children’s nightwear, business must meet all the requirements for marking, design, construction and performance. The mandatory standard requires children’s nightwear to be classified into one of four categories depending on the style of garment, the type of fabric used in the garment and the burning behavior of the fabric. Those garments that do not comply with the mandatory standard are prohibited from being sold in Australia.

References:

(1) Product Safety Australia – News & alerts (http://www.productsafety.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1001450)
(2) Nightwear for children mandatory standard (https://www.productsafety.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/973519)
(3) Safeguards No. 027/07 (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/SafeGuards_02707_children_nightwear.pdf)
(4) Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standards) (Children’s Nightwear and Paper Patterns for Children’s Nightwear) Regulation 2007 (http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2007L00215)

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This release was published on openPR.