With the arrival of the rainy season, raincoats and ponchos have become essential items for children when heading outdoors. The Consumer Council tested 14 models of children’s raincoats and ponchos available on the market and found that the cords and drawstrings design of 3 models failed to meet the safety requirements of the European Standard, posing potential risks of strangulation, dragging or entrapment to the wearer. Additionally, 2 models were found to contain the phthalate DEHP at levels exceeding the upper limit stipulated under the European Union’s (EU) REACH Regulation, with 1 model exceeding the threshold by nearly 11 times. The same model’s pocket component was also detected with lead, with the total amount exceeding the limit set under the United State’s (US) Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). The Council urges manufacturers to improve product design and material, and reminds parents to select safe and reliable rainwear for their children.
The Council purchased 14 reusable children’s raincoat and poncho models from lifestyle stores, children’s product shops and department stores between March and April this year, with prices ranging from $12 to $238. The models were labelled as suitable for children between 110cm and 130cm in height, or aged between 3 and 7 years. The test covered both physical and chemical safety aspects, including the safety of cords and drawstrings, sharp points and edges, as well as phthalates and heavy metal content. Test results showed that 10 models met all relevant requirements, including the lowest-priced model, indicating that good choices are available across different price ranges.
3 Models Found Non-compliant with European Standard on Cords and Drawstrings with Increased Risks of Strangulation and Dragging
In view of multiple past accidents in regions such as the US and Canada involving cords and drawstrings on children’s outerwear, the test adopted the safety requirements set out in the European Standard EN 14682:2014 “Safety of Children’s Clothing – Cords and Drawstrings on Children’s Clothing – Specifications” for clothing intended for children under 7 years old (including those with height 134cm or below) in evaluating the relevant safety levels of the tested models. The standard stipulates that adjusting tabs at sleeve openings of children’s clothing shall be no longer than 10cm in length and shall not hang below the edge of the sleeve when opened; adjusting tabs at the back of garments shall be no longer than 7.5cm in length and shall not hang below the lower edge of the garment, and shall have no button, toggle or buckle on the free end which may pose entrapment hazard. It is to prevent the child from being trapped by external objects such as playground facilities, escalator handrails or lift doors, or being dragged by cars when wearing the garment. The standard also specifies that fixed loops (e.g. for fastening or loops on fixed bows) shall be no more than 7.5cm in circumference to avoid risks of snagging, which could lead to falling due to imbalance, or strangulation.
Among the 14 models tested, 3 failed to comply with the European standard requirements, of which 1 model had sleeve adjusting tabs which measured 13.4cm in length, exceeding the 10cm upper limit, and hung below the edge of the sleeve; another model featured a back adjusting tab 9.1cm long, exceeding the standard’s 7.5cm limit; while the hood of another model had a fixed loop with a circumference of 21cm, exceeding the 7.5cm standard limit by almost twofold.
The Council also conducted tests of simulated use and abuse in accordance with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) requirements based on the age indicated on the product packaging. All models were found to be free from sharp points and edges, meeting the relevant safety standards for toys and products intended for children under 8 years old set out in the CPSC, showing satisfactory performance.
Phthalate Levels in 2 Models Exceeded EU Limit with the Worst Case Close to 11-fold
Plasticisers such as phthalates are commonly used for softening plastics, enhancing flexibility, transparency, durability and lifespan. 4 types of phthalates — DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP — are classified by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) as reproductive toxicity category 1B substances, which may disrupt the endocrine system and adversely affect reproductive health or foetal development. Some phthalates may also contribute to marine and environmental pollution.
Given the prolonged skin contact with the plasticiser materials on the surface of raincoats and ponchos during wear, the EU REACH Regulation restricts the concentration of DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP, either individually or in any combination, at below 0.1% (w/w) of the weight of plasticised materials. The test revealed that 2 models were detected with DEHP: the decorative part in the hood of 1 model was detected with 0.12% (w/w) DEHP, exceeding the EU limit, while the orange pocket material of another model was detected with 1.19% (w/w) DEHP, nearly 11 times more than the EU’s permissible level. On the other hand, all models were not found with DBP, BBP or DIBP.
Under normal circumstances, the health risk to children arising from skin contact with phthalates in children’s rainwear is generally low, but the risk of absorbing the phthalates may increase if the skin has wounds or is sensitive due to eczema. The use of sunscreen or oil-soluble skincare products may also raise the risk of skin exposure to phthalates released from such plasticised materials. Furthermore, phthalates may be released into the air and attach to dust particles, and if such dust particles are inhaled in large amounts over a prolonged period, it could potentially trigger asthma. Therefore, rainwear should be stored in well-ventilated areas.
Total Lead Content in 1 Model Exceeded US Regulatory Limit
The Council also conducted chemical safety tests in accordance with the total lead content for children’s products stipulated in the US CPSIA, which sets an upper limit for total lead content of no more than 90ppm in the surface coating of parts such as snap buttons, buttons, and zippers, while that for accessible components that could come into contact with skin must not exceed 100ppm. According to the results, the orange pocket component of 1 model was detected with 145ppm of total lead content, exceeding the US regulatory limit. The extractable heavy metal test made reference to Entry 72 of the EU REACH Regulation, Annex XVII. All models performed satisfactorily with none detected with heavy metals including lead, cadmium, chromium VI and arsenic.
4 Models Provided Cleaning and/or Storage Instructions in Japanese Only
Most tested models included cleaning and storage instructions in Chinese or/and English on the product or packaging. However, 4 models only provided such information in Japanese, which may hinder consumer understanding. The Council urges manufacturers and agents to provide accurate bilingual product labelling in Chinese and English to facilitate safe use, cleaning and storage.
Although Hong Kong’s Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance does not specify maximum limits for phthalates or total lead content in general consumer goods such as children’s raincoats and ponchos, it requires manufacturers, importers and suppliers to ensure that consumer goods they supply in Hong Kong comply with general safety requirements. The Council has referred the test findings to the Customs and Excise Department for follow-up, and calls on manufacturers to improve the design of cords and drawstrings in children’s raincoat and poncho products, as well as reducing plasticiser and total lead content in products through improving selected materials, so as to safeguard children’s health and safety.
When choosing and buying raincoats and ponchos for children, consumers may refer to these recommendations:
- Opt for reusable products over disposables to reduce environmental impact;
- Check the design of cords and drawstrings (e.g. adjusting tabs and fixed loops, etc.), and avoid models with cords and drawstrings located around the head, neck, or chest area, or products with excessively long cords and drawstrings in other areas, or those with accessories that may pose entrapment risks;
- Follow label instructions for cleaning, and store products in a well-ventilated area to prevent damage; and
- Immediately discard any products that show signs of damage or have peeling coatings to prevent children from accidentally ingesting loose fragments.
Download the article (Chinese only): https://ccchoice.org/585-raincoats
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