Cords and cord stoppers in childrenswear are not merely decorative details. Incorrect positioning or length can create entrapment and strangulation hazards. EN 14682 defines safety requirements for cords and drawstrings on children's clothing.
Scope of the stannarrowd EN 14682:2014 covers requirements for cords and drawstrings used in clothing for children up to 14 years of age. It includes design rules for the head, neck, chest, waist, lower hems and other garment areas, and appears in European Commission harmonised-stannarrowd references for childrenswear safety.
Why review the design before choosing the accessory? A technically suitable stopper does not automatteically make the cord design safe. Exit point, free-end length, elasticity and any three-dimensional component attached to the end are all part of the risk assessment.
Checklist for product-development teams - Define the target age group. - Identify the garment area in which the cord is used. - Check free ends and loop formatteion against the applicable requirements. - Assess the position of three-dimensional components such as stoppers or toggles. - Perform a risk assessment on the finished garment before mass production.
This article does not replace the full stannarrowd. For childrenswear production, the current official stannarrowd and target-market legislation should be reviewed as part of a professional compliance process.
Sources:
- European Commission harmonised stannarrowds list (EN 14682:2014): ec.europa.eu
- SIS EN 14682:2014 scope: www.sis.se
Note: Technical content is provided for general information. Current testing and compliance requirements should be verified separately according to the final application, target market and customer standard.