New Version of European Standard for Safety of Childrens Clothing

Cords and Drawstrings on Childrens Clothing EN 14682: 2014

Released December 2014
EN 14682 : 2014 is now available and will be published as BS EN 14682 : 2014 on the 31 st of
December 2014.Publication dates in other European countries will vary dependent on how long
national standard bodies take to publish the new version.
The new version of the European Standard supersedes EN 14682: 2007. The 2014 version of the
standard has to be given the status of a national standard and any conflicting standards have to be
withdrawn by June 2015 throughout CEN countries..
EN 14682 is a harmonized standard that is directly referenced by the EU General Product Safety Directive and
as such this standard is mandatory in all member states of the European Union. To illustrate the significance of
this fact EN 14682, has been, and continues to be, the single most common reason for product notifications/recalls
in the European Union RAPEX (Rapid Alert System for non food Dangerous Products) for at least, the past
seven years.

There are a number of changes in the new version of the standard that are too many to list in terms of the
context of a bulletin. However in a welcome development in the world of standards creation there is a
comprehensive list of changes; in comparison to the 2007 version of the standard; in the Foreword to the
standard.
The following is a summary of some of the significant technical changes that occur in the new 2014 version of
the standard;

Bag and Purses have been added to the list of exemptions

Fringes on garments are now considered to be a series of decorative cords
Functional Hanger Loops and other loops inside a garment are permitted if a risk assessment shows
that they are not a hazard to the wearer
The definition of a belt in the scope 2007 version has been clarified to state that the only belts which
fall into the scope of EN 14682 are tied belts. In the definitions section of the standard Tied Belts or
Sashes are defined as decorative or functional pieces of any material of not less than 3cm width tied
around the chest or waist area of a garment. If the width is less than 3cm the item would be
considered as a cord or drawstring
Free ends of fixed bows are considered to be decorative cords
There is a new definition of three dimensional embellishments which was not included in the 2007
version i.e. a 3D embellishment is a decorative item attached to a cord that is thicker or wider than
the cord itself.
References to Back of the Head/Neck are now in Body Zone A rather than Zone D in the 2007
version of the standard as per Figure 1 of clause 2.25
Both Annex D and Annex F have improved figures to illustrate requirements in more detail.

As always, with this standard, it is important to note that Risk Assessments are a key requirement. Bureau
Veritas Softlines Laboratories worldwide offer testing and evaluation to this standard.
Contact Information
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Contact Information:
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December 2014, Bulletin 11B-046