Advice on handmade clothing regulations

[Janies]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum.

I make handmade baby and children's clothing and am considering starting up as a business.

However, as the clothes are for babies and children I'm sure there must be some selling regulations? For example, labelling, safety requirements, any documentation, insurance?

I have looked high and low for this I for this information and I can't find it anywhere. I am hoping you guys might be able to help out?

Thank you so much.

Janie

 

[billmccallum1957]

see www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1803/contents/made

 

[Janies]

Thank you. I can only seem to see there about the product must be safe. It's clothing but we are getting so litigious as a nation. How do I 'prove' it is safe?

 

[Millinerymouse]

Hi Janie,
Did you ever come across any relevant info?
I’ve been trialling tome baby shoes but wondered what regs I need to comply with.
MM

 

[deniser]

There is a general obligation for the product to be safe. This means that it should not be capable of causing harm or injury to the wearer and would include considerations such as:

• flammability
• choking hazards eg. small parts such as buttons and decorative pieces being firmly attached so they can't fall off
• strangulation
• chemical or hazardous materials - the big one is lead

There are two specific pieces of legislation you should also be aware of in relation to children's clothes generally:

1. Cords and drawstrings regulations - there are very precise rules about anything which is a cord, drawstring, ribbon, belt etc. and where it can be attached and how long it is allowed to be. There are different rules for babies and older children.
2. Flammability of nightwear - nightwear fabrics need a special non flammability coating

 

[Millinerymouse]

Thanks Deniser
I am only looking at doing baby “shoes”- the soft leather soled ones which are aimed at babies & pre walkers.
I would be using 100% wool as uppers, no beads, no cords, just elastic within the wool around the back.
Any further thoughts?
MM

 

[CHUKTC]

I agree with the above re flammability of nightwear for children. You are also required to insert a label listing the composition of the textiles and in the case of footwear list the make up of the upper and sole separately. This can be in the form of approved pictograms or words. The label must be attached to at least on of the shoes.

 

[deniser]

Thanks Deniser
I am only looking at doing baby “shoes”- the soft leather soled ones which are aimed at babies & pre walkers.
I would be using 100% wool as uppers, no beads, no cords, just elastic within the wool around the back.
Any further thoughts?
MM

AS long as they are clearly labelled with what they are made of and don't contain any harmful dyes or chemicals then you should be fine.

 

[Millinerymouse]

Thanks everyone for he advice
MM

 

[Chris Ashdown]

I think it would be wise to contact your local trading standards and ask there advice and maybe show them a sample so they can advise

 

[Lil B]

There is a general obligation for the product to be safe. This means that it should not be capable of causing harm or injury to the wearer and would include considerations such as:

• flammability
• choking hazards eg. small parts such as buttons and decorative pieces being firmly attached so they can't fall off
• strangulation
• chemical or hazardous materials - the big one is lead

There are two specific pieces of legislation you should also be aware of in relation to children's clothes generally:

1. Cords and drawstrings regulations - there are very precise rules about anything which is a cord, drawstring, ribbon, belt etc. and where it can be attached and how long it is allowed to be. There are different rules for babies and older children.
2. Flammability of nightwear - nightwear fabrics need a special non flammability coating

Hi, I’m making bandana bibs for babies/toddlers and read your comment.
Not sure if anyone has any advice on how to go about getting them checked for ‘strangulation’ and the snap buttons they attach with. I can’t seem to find any information online that can help with this

Thanks
Lil B

 

[CHUKTC]

This is a very well known international company that may help. We have certainly found them helpful in the past. http://www.intertek.com/textiles/childrens-apparel-testing/

 

[MOIC]

My advice. . . .

With regards to the fabric, ensure it conforms to OEKO-TEX standards.

If in doubt, get it tested and certified.

 

[Lil B]

Hi, that’s great thank you I will have a look into it

 

[chloie]

as the fabric supplier for an up to date OEKO-TEX certificate as they often have them. you need to send a few meters of fabric for testing and the test aren't cheap.
Fabric suppliers can also provide fabric compositions
save the penny's where you can at the begging.