Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Drawstrings for children's clothing in the EU are designed to the EN 14682 standard, which restricts cords and drawstrings because of the risk of entrapment, strangulation and trapping. On clothing for young children (usually up to 7 years), cords in the hood and neck area are not allowed. For older children (up to 14 years) they are permitted only without free ends and without decorative elements, and at the waist and hem there are limits on the length of the free ends.
Why there is a standard for drawstrings in children's clothing
A hood cord can catch on a slide, a fence, a bus door or an escalator and lead to serious accidents. Long hanging ties at the bottom of a garment can get caught in a bicycle wheel or between the doors of a vehicle. EN 14682 is the European standard "Safety of children's clothing – Cords and drawstrings on children's clothing". It is used by manufacturers, importers and market surveillance authorities as the basis for assessing product safety under the general product safety legislation. Children's clothing with unsuitable drawstrings is among the most common reasons for recalls in the EU.
Age groups
| Group | Guide | General approach |
|---|---|---|
| Young children | up to about 7 years (height up to about 134 cm) | the strictest requirements |
| Older children and young persons | from about 7 to 14 years | drawstrings are permitted under conditions |
The standard also defines the age groups by height. For the exact limits, use the current version of EN 14682.
Drawstring requirements for children's clothing by zone
Hood and neck
- Young children – no drawstrings, functional cords or decorative cords are allowed in the hood and neck area.
- Older children – drawstrings are acceptable, but without free ends, without cord ends, knots, cord stoppers or decorative elements and without loops that can catch. Adjustment is usually solved with elastic or with a cord concealed in the channel.
Waist
Waist drawstrings are acceptable, but the free ends that come out of the garment when the waist is relaxed are limited in length (the standard gives a maximum of around 14 cm) and must not end in three-dimensional decorative elements. It is recommended that the cord is stitched in the middle so that it cannot be pulled out on one side, leaving a long end.
Hem of garments below the hip
On garments that reach below the hip or to the ankles – long jackets, dresses, trousers – cords and ties at the bottom edge must be entirely inside the garment or must not hang below the hem. The reason is the risk of being caught in wheels, escalators and doors.
Sleeves and other zones
The standard also contains requirements for ties on sleeves, the back and the belt – for example limits on the length of decorative ties and loops. Belts and back ties on young children's clothing are also restricted.
What this means in practice for the manufacturer
- Determine the target age group of the style from the size range.
- Check every zone – hood, neck, waist, hem, sleeves – for cords and ties.
- For young children, remove the cords from the hood and neck entirely.
- For older children, use cords without free ends or replace them with elastic.
- Measure the free ends at the waist with the garment relaxed.
- Stitch the cord in the middle so that it cannot be pulled out.
- Document the check and keep the technical data for the style.
Safe alternatives to drawstrings
- Elastic in a channel – adjusts the hood or waist without free ends.
- Adjustable buttonhole elastic with buttons inside – a classic solution for the waist of children's trousers.
- Hook and loop – for adjusting cuffs and hood width.
- Snap buttons – for closing hoods and sleeves instead of ties.
- Concealed cord – the cord is entirely inside the channel and is adjusted from the inside.
Common mistakes in children's collections
- Using the same adult hoodie model in children's sizes – with the drawstring and cord ends.
- Cord stoppers and cord ends on hood cords for older children.
- Long decorative waist ties on young children's clothing.
- A cord that is not stitched in the middle and after washing comes out as a long end.
- Ties at the hem of a long jacket that hang below the edge.
How to choose a cord for children's clothing where it is allowed
Where a cord is acceptable, choose a soft, light and strong cord – usually polyester, flat or round and of small thickness. Avoid heavy metal cord ends that could hit the child. The ends are heat-sealed or finished with flat heat-shrink tips without bulk. The cord must be colourfast and must not shrink with the frequent washing typical of children's clothes.
Responsibility and checking
Responsibility for the safety of the product lies with the manufacturer or importer who places it on the market. The standard is revised periodically, so with every new collection make sure you are working with the current requirements. If in doubt, consult an accredited laboratory.
Cords and alternatives for childrenswear from Polkom
Polkom is a Sofia-based manufacturer and wholesaler of haberdashery and garment accessories with over 30 years of experience. We offer cords, elastics, hook and loop and snap buttons with which you can solve adjustment in children's styles. We send samples quickly and deliver throughout the EU. Send an inquiry with a description of the style.
