Nightwear

The Nightwear (Safety) Regulations 1985 make it an offence

• To sell children's nightwear that does not comply with the flammability requirements of BS 5722.

Children's Nightwear

Children's nightwear means:

• Anything designed for wear by, and that would normally be worn by, a child over 3 months and under the age of 13 years.

• Nightdresses with a chest measurement not exceeding 91 cm or the length measurement not exceeding 122 cm.

• Non terry towelling dressing gowns and bath robes where the chest measurement does not exceed 97 cm or the sleeve measurement does not exceed 69 cm.

but does not include:

• Pyjamas and cotton terry towelling bath robes.

• Babies' garments (garments exclusively for babies under 3 months and having a chest measurement not exceeding 53 centimetres (approx 21 inches).
  
  (Pyjamas, cotton terry towelling bathrobes and babies' garments do not have to comply with the flammability standard but they must carry a permanent label showing whether or not they meet the flammability standard).

Other Nightwear

• Adults' nightwear must be labelled so as to inform the purchaser whether or not the item meets the flammability requirements of BS 5722.

Labelling

• If the item meets the requirements, it must have a label, printed in black, stating:
  
  'LOW FLAMMABILITY TO BS 5722' (in black letters), or
  'LOW FLAMMABILITY TO BS 5722' (in black letters) and
  'KEEP AWAY FROM FIRE' (in red letters), or 'KEEP AWAY FROM FIRE' (in red letters).

All words must be in medium letter of 10 point in upper case.

• If the item does not meet the flammability requirements, it must have a label, printed in red, stating "Keep Away From Fire".

• Any nightwear that is treated with flame retardant chemicals must carry a label with the words:
  
  DO NOT WASH AT MORE THAN 50°C. CHECK SUITABILITY OF WASHING AGENT (in black letters).
  
  The words must be in medium letters of 6 point in upper case.

Examples of labels can be found at www.dti.gov.uk/access/nightwear/regul.html.

Adverts on the Internet, in newspapers, magazines, catalogues etc that contain any direct ordering facility for consumers must include information about the flammability performance of the nightwear described.

Examples of information to be included in adverts can be found at www.dti.gov.uk/access/nightwear/regul.html.

Guidance on the regulations can be found at www.dti.gov.uk/access/nightwear/regul.html.

Please Note

This leaflet is not an authoritative interpretation of the law and is intended only for guidance. For further information please contact your local Consumer Protection or Trading Standards office.

Trading Standards Division, 3rd Floor, Wallasey Town Hall, Brighton Street, Wallasey, Wirral CH44 8ED
Telephone: (0151) 691 8020    Fax: (0151) 691 8098
Internet World Wide Web http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/wirral/
Electronic Mail: tradingstandards@wirral.gov.uk