Australia Updates Standards for Children’s Nightwear

Australia has made several changes to the standards relating to children’s nightwear. Announced by the Minister for Small Business, in April 2017, they have:

• Updated the safety standard for children’s nightwear – Consumer Goods (Children’s Nightwear and Limited Daywear and Paper Patterns for Children’s Nightwear) Safety Standard 2017
• Adopted a revised version of Children’s Nightwear and Limited Daywear Standard AS/NZS 1249:2014

Effective immediately, the updated safety standard, made under section 105 of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), replaces Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standards) (Children's Nightwear and Paper Patterns for Children's Nightwear) Regulations 2007 (Federal Register of Regulation No. F2007L00215).

The adoption of a revised version of AS/NZS 1249:2014 brings Australia into line with New Zealand’s standard. Clothes that currently comply with AS/NZS 1249:2014 can be sold immediately.

AS/NZS 1249:2014 applies to nightwear or limited daywear, but does not apply to second‑hand nightwear and second-hand limited daywear. It specifies design, flammability performance and labeling requirements in four categories of children’s nightwear garments. The standard also covers some daywear/underwear that is commonly used for sleeping, for example boxer shorts and size 00-2 knitted all-in-ones with pile or nap.

Under Australian law, all children’s nightwear, size 00 to 14, must carry a fire danger label, defined by which of four categories of clothing they fit into. The first three categories are required to carry a ‘Caution Label’ – a white label with flame symbol – and category four clothing must carry a ‘Warning Label’ – red with a flame symbol. Products that fail this test are considered unsuitable for sleepwear.

The categories are defined by the garment’s design, type of fabric and the burn test results. They are:

• Category 1 – Garments made from fabrics with low flame propagation properties
• Category 2 – Garments which are designed to reduce fire hazard
• Category 3 – Predominantly knitted all-in-one garments in sizes 00-2
• Category 4 – Garments with higher flammability risks which do not comply with categories 1 to 3

The authorities have made allowances for a transition period. Until December 31, 2019, products can be sold if they comply with either the new or old standards but, after January 1, 2020, all nightwear and limited daywear must comply solely with:

• Consumer Goods (Children’s Nightwear and Limited Daywear and Paper Patterns for Children’s Nightwear) Safety Standard 2017.
• AS/NZS 1249:2014 Children’s Nightwear and Limited Daywear Standard

For further information can be found on SGS Safeguard 099/15. (www.sgs.com/en/news/2015/06/safeguards-09915-new-version-of-childrens-nightwear-standard-as-nzs-1249-2014)

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With a global network of over 40 laboratories, manned by a team of professionals from multi-disciplinary backgrounds, SGS provide a comprehensive range of physical, chemical and functional testing services for components, materials and finished products. They help manufacturers ensure quality, performance and compliance with international, industrial and regulatory standards worldwide. Learn more about SGS’s Softline Services (www.sgs.com/softlines)

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Australia Revises Children’s Nightwear Safety Standard SafeGuardS. (www.sgs.com/en/news/2017/05/safeguards-08317-australia-revises-children-nightwear-safety-standard)

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For further information contact:

Louann Spirito
Director Technical Support, Softlines
Tel: +1 973 461 7919
Email: cts.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/softlines

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This release was published on openPR.