Recalls in Review: A monthly spotlight on the trending regulatory enforcement issues at the CPSC.
As children head back to the classroom this Fall, the CPSC issued a news release reminding parents to “Think Safety First” as kids return to schools. Recognizing that many back-to-school shopping carts also include new clothes and pajamas, we look back at CPSC regulatory actions involving Children’s Sleepwear in this month’s installment of “Recalls in Review.”
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has regulated the flammability of children’s sleepwear since at least the 1970s. In addition to other safety standards imposed on children’s products, children’s sleepwear is governed by Federal Safety Standards for the Flammability of Children’s Sleepwear based on sizing of the garments (16 CFR Part 1615 and 16 CFR Part 1616). The regulations apply to any product of wearing apparel, such as nightgowns, pajamas, or similar or related items, such as robes, that is intended to be worn primarily for sleeping or activities related to sleeping. Specific items—including diapers, underwear, and certain infant tight-fitting garments—are exempted from the definition of children’s sleepwear.
The CPSC began monitoring the safety of children’s sleepwear more closely in 2011. At least 82 recalls of children’s sleepwear have been conducted since 2001, with 77 of those recalls occurring after 2010. Only a handful of related recalls were conducted prior to 2001. However, at least 11 civil penalties relating to children’s sleepwear were issued between 1980 and 2001, with somewhat dated fines ranging from $3,500 to $850,000.
