Drawstrings

The Issue:

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a letter on May 19, 2006 to manufacturers, retailers and importers of children’s upper outwear garments, urging them to make certain the garments do not have hood drawstrings that can pose a strangulation hazard to children. Office of Compliance Director John Gibson Mullan urged the firms ensure that all children’s upper outerwear imported, manufactured, distributed or sold in the United States, complies with the current voluntary safety standard, ASTM F-1816 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Drawstrings on Children’s Upper Outerwear. The states of Wisconsin and New York have enacted laws that exceed these federal guidelines.

Drawstring Side by Side
Side By Side Comparison

AAFA on the Issue:
AAFA supports national drawstring guidelines, and urges companies to operate in full compliance with them.

The Latest News:

01.07.08

Over 16,000 “Warmest Jacket” boys’ jackets sold by Gap Outlet in the US from September to December 2007 have been recalled by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) because of fears over the safety of their drawstring and toggle even though no incidents or injuries have been reported.

Information on all CPSC recalls can be found on the CPSC website.