CPSC Reinforces Children's Sleepwear and Loungewear Enforcement Policy to Apparel Industry

In an effort to remind the industry of the obligations associated with children's sleepwear and loungewear, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC's) director of compliance and field operations sent a letter (pdf) to manufacturers, distributors, importers and retailers today reinforcing CPSC staff's enforcement policy on children's sleepwear and loungewear.

Highlights in the letter to industry review the definition of children's sleepwear, including loungewear as a type of children's sleepwear. The commission's regulations define the term "children's sleepwear" to include any product of wearing apparel (in sizes 0-14), such as nightgowns, pajamas, or similar or related items, such as robes, intended to be worn primarily for sleeping or activities related to sleeping. This definition exempts: (1) diapers and underwear; (2) "infant garments," sized for a child nine months of age or younger; and (3) "tight-fitting garments" that meet specific maximum dimensions.

In the 1990s, a category of products called "loungewear" was introduced into the children's market. CPSC staff views children's "loungewear," or other similar garments marketed as comfort wear, as garments worn primarily for sleep-related activities. Therefore, "loungewear" must comply with the children's sleepwear standards.

The letter includes a summary of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) requirements for manufacturers and importers of children's sleepwear sold online or in stores. These requirements include tracking labels, a certificate of compliance and testing requirements for phthalates, lead content and lead in surface coatings on snaps, zipper pulls and elsewhere on the product.

The CPSC is the federal safety agency responsible for the enforcement of the Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA), which includes protecting the public from the hazards of flammable fabrics, interior furnishings and wearing apparel, including children's sleepwear.

The children's sleepwear standards were developed to prevent children's sleepwear from igniting due to exposure to ignition sources, such as matches/lighters, candles, ranges, stoves, space heaters and fireplaces. Most of the ignition incidents occurred while children were wearing sleepwear or sleep-related items during the evening before bedtime or in the morning around breakfast time.

For more information, visit www.cpsc.gov.