The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is holding an important meeting to discuss the Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA) and children’s sleepwear safety.
The group announced that it will hold a seminar at its offices in Maryland on Oct. 20 to discuss certification, testing and other compliance related to FFA standards for children’s sleepwear.
CPSC staff and stakeholders, including importers, manufacturers, legal counsel, retailers, suppliers and testing laboratories will be present at the one-day seminar to address challenges in regulating children’s sleepwear.
According to the CPSC Office of Compliance, the Flammable Fabrics Act was issued in 1953 to regulate manufacturing for highly flammable apparel. After forming in 1972, CPSC today under this act issues industry wide flammability standards for clothing textiles and children’s sleepwear.
These standards require that all children’s sleepwear, including nightgowns, pajamas and robes, must be flame resistant and able to self-extinguish if they catch on fire. Children’s sleepwear above size 9 months and up to size 14 are required to pass flammability tests issued by the CPSC or have a tight fit that complies with the group’s specific dimensions. Infant sleepwear apparel that is size 9 months and smaller isn’t required to meet the standard if it either is a one-piece garment under 25 and three-quarter inches, a two-piece garment under 15 and three-quarter inches or it has a label indicating infant’s age in months.
For children’s sleepwear retailers, CPSC says garments that failed the flammability standards should not be advertised, children’s sleepwear shouldn’t be separated from other clothing categories in stores and brands should avoid mislabeling children’s sleepwear garments.
Consumers may find children’s sleepwear recalls on the CPSC website. Companies that recently recalled their children’s sleepwear included Cecil & Lou and Saro Trading. The CPSC found that both brands violated flammability standards and posed a risk for children to be burned. Cecil & Lou and Saro Trading are refunding their consumers to prevent injuries and promote apparel safety.