An adult hoodie with a drawstring in the hood raises no concerns. The same hoodie sized for a five-year-old can be considered dangerous. The risk of strangulation, or of cords catching in bus doors, playground slides or bicycles, is why children's clothing has specific design rules, and why European authorities regularly pull non-compliant products from the market.
The general product safety rules apply to all clothing, but for children there are European standards that describe concretely what is acceptable. The best known is EN 14682, on cords and drawstrings on children's clothing. Standards are revised periodically, so always check the current version.
Cords and drawstrings: the basic rule
The standard groups children by age, based on height, and sets rules by area of the garment:
- hood and neck area: for young children, functional cords and drawstrings are not allowed in this area; for older children they are allowed only under strict conditions, with no free ends or dangerous loops;
- waist: waist drawstrings are allowed with limits on the length of free ends, and without knots or three-dimensional toggles at the ends;
- lower hem: cords hanging below the hem are an entrapment hazard and are restricted;
- sleeves and trouser legs: there are limits for tapes and cords at sleeves and hems.
The simplest design answer for young children: a hood with no drawstring, using an elastic channel or a cut that sits well without adjustment. At the waist, sewn-in elastic or a drawstring fixed at centre back so it cannot be pulled out on one side.
Small parts: buttons, snaps, rhinestones
Anything that can come off and be swallowed is a hazard for small children. Practical measures:
- Cut the number of small trims on garments for younger ages.
- Use good-quality snaps applied with a correctly set press, not by hand.
- Sew buttons securely and run pull-strength checks on samples.
- Avoid glued rhinestones and sequins for the youngest ages.
- Also check raised prints and appliqués that could peel off.
Other risks to check
- Over-tight elastic at wrist or ankle that restricts circulation.
- Zips at the neck without a guard, which can catch skin.
- Stiff labels or labels with sharp corners.
- Flammability for pyjamas and nightdresses, which have a separate European standard.
- Chemicals in fabric, prints and trims, where rules for children are stricter.
Building the rules into the tech pack
Safety is cheapest to fix on paper. In the tech pack of every children's style, add a dedicated section:
- age group and size range;
- a list of every cord, drawstring and tape, with position and length;
- a list of small trims and how they are attached;
- the standards considered and their version;
- the result of the check on the sample.
Then check the style on the first sample in every size, not only the base size. A cord length that is acceptable on the largest size can become a problem on the smallest.
Do not forget the sewing workshop. If you use a CMT partner, send the safety section together with the tech pack and say explicitly that no change to trims or tape lengths may be made without your approval. Many problems start exactly that way: the workshop swaps a sewn-in elastic for a nicer-looking drawstring, and the product becomes non-compliant without the brand knowing.
Example: a girls' winter hoodie
Suppose you are making a hooded sweatshirt for girls aged 4 to 8. A suitable fabric is our 310 g dusty pink brushed 3-thread fleece in combed cotton and polyester: warm, soft on the inside thanks to the brushing, and stable enough for hoodies that get washed often. For safety, the design would be: a hood with no drawstring, rib cuffs and waistband, a securely sewn kangaroo pocket and no small metal trims. That keeps the risk analysis simple and the product can be sold without age restrictions.
Other winter weights are in the 3-thread fleece family.
Next step
Before your first kidswear collection, it is worth talking to a lab or a consultant who knows the children's clothing standards. For fabric, our Afumați stock is sold by the roll with no minimum, ideal for small test runs, and made-to-order colours start at 150 kg per colour per article.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell kids' hoodies with a decorative cord sewn to the hood?
The standard looks at both functional and decorative cords, and the rules depend on the age group and the area of the garment. For young children, the safest option is no cord at all in the hood and neck area. Check the exact requirements in the current version of the standard.
Do I have to lab-test every children's style?
There is no general duty to test every style, but you must be able to show the product is safe. For styles with small trims or cords, a lab report is the strongest evidence. For simple styles, a documented internal check against the standard may be enough, provided it covers every size.
Which age group has the strictest rules?
The strictest rules on cords and drawstrings apply to young children, and the standard defines age groups using age and height. When a style spans several sizes, apply the rules of the strictest group across the range, so you do not need different design versions for different sizes.
