Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Cords for children's clothing in the EU are designed according to the EN 14682 standard, which restricts cords and drawstrings due to risks of snagging, strangulation, and pinching. For garments for young children (usually up to 7 years old), cords in the hood and neck area are not allowed. For older children (up to 14 years), cords are permitted only without free ends and decorative elements, while waist and hem cords have length limits for free ends.
Why there is a standard for cords in children's clothing
A hood cord can catch on playground equipment, fences, bus doors, or escalators, causing serious accidents. Long hanging cords at the bottom of garments can get caught in bicycle wheels or vehicle doors. EN 14682 is the European standard “Safety of children's clothing – cords and drawstrings for children’s garments.” It is used by manufacturers, importers, and regulatory authorities as a basis for product safety assessment under general product safety legislation. Children's garments with inappropriate cords are among the most common reasons for market recalls in the EU.
Age groups
| Group | Guideline | General approach |
|---|---|---|
| Young children | up to about 7 years (height up to approx. 134 cm) | strictest requirements |
| Older children and youths | about 7 to 14 years | cords allowed with conditions |
The standard defines age groups also by height. For exact limits, use the current EN 14682 version.
Requirements for cords in children's clothing by zones
Hood and neck
- Young children – no drawstrings, functional cords, or decorative cords allowed in the hood and neck area.
- Older children – drawstrings are allowed but must have no free ends, no aglets, knots, stoppers, or decorative elements, and no loops that can catch. Adjustment is usually done with elastic or cords hidden inside a tunnel.
Waist
Cords at the waist are allowed, but free ends protruding from the garment when the waist is loose are limited in length (the standard allows a maximum around 14 cm) and must not end with three-dimensional decorative elements. It is recommended to sew the cord in the middle to prevent it from being pulled out on one side and leaving a long end.
Hem below the pelvis
For garments reaching the hem below the pelvis or ankles – long coats, dresses, trousers – cords and drawstrings at the lower edge must be fully inside the garment or must not hang below the hem. This is to prevent snagging on wheels, escalators, and doors.
Sleeves and other zones
The standard also includes requirements for cords on sleeves, back, and belts – for example, limits on the length of decorative cords and loops. Belts and cords on the back for young children are also restricted.
What this means in practice for the manufacturer
- Determine the target age group of the model using the size chart.
- Check each zone – hood, neck, waist, hem, sleeves – for cords and drawstrings.
- Remove cords from the hood and neck completely for young children.
- For older children, use cords without free ends or replace them with elastic.
- Measure free ends at the waist when the garment is loose.
- Sew the cord in the middle to prevent it from pulling out.
- Document the check and keep technical data for the model.
Safe alternatives to cords
- Elastic in a tunnel – adjusts hood or waist without free ends.
- Adjustable elastic with buttons inside – classic solution for children's trousers waistbands.
- Hook and loop (Velcro) – for adjusting cuffs and hood widths.
- Snap buttons – for fastening hoods and sleeves instead of cords.
- Hidden cord – cord fully inside the tunnel and adjusted from inside.
Common mistakes in children's collections
- Using the same adult hoodie model in children's sizes – with cords and aglets.
- Stoppers and aglets on hood cords for older children.
- Long decorative cords at the waist for young children.
- Cord not sewn in the middle, resulting in a long end after washing.
- Drawstrings at the hem of long coats hanging below the edge.
How to choose cords for children's clothing where allowed
Where cords are permitted, choose soft, lightweight, and durable cords – usually polyester, flat or round with small thickness. Avoid heavy metal aglets that could hit the child. Ends should be heat sealed or finished with flat thermo aglets without volume. The cord should be colourfast and not shrink with frequent washing, typical for children's garments.
Responsibility and inspection
The responsibility for product safety lies with the manufacturer or importer placing the item on the market. The standard is periodically revised, so ensure you work with the current requirements for each new collection. Consult an accredited laboratory if in doubt.
Cords and alternatives for children's clothing from Polkom
Polkom is a manufacturer of haberdashery and accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear, and bags based in Sofia with over 30 years of experience. We offer cords, elastics, hook and loop, and snap buttons to solve adjustment needs in children's models. We send samples quickly and deliver across the EU. Send an inquiry with your model description.
