CPSC is planning to make ASTM (F1816-97, Standard Safety Specification for Drawstrings on Children’s Upper Outerwear) and drawstring guideline (Guidelines for Drawstrings on Children’s Upper Outerwear) into a mandatory standard for drawstrings and ties.

The guidelines for drawstrings on children’s upper outerwear emphasized the safety concerns of drawstrings in children’s upper outerwear and recommended alternative closures, such as buttons, hook and loop closures, snaps, and elastic to be used in children’s upper outerwear to prevent the risk of accidental strangulation.

Despite the above guideline and standard, there is an increasing number of recalls in recent years in the children’s upper outerwear in US market.

More information of the guideline can be accessed at:

http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/208.pdf