Nightwear for children

Nightwear for children includes the following items:

• pyjamas
• pyjama-style over-garments
• nightdresses
• nightshirts
• dressing gowns
• bathrobes
• infant sleep bags
• other items styled and recognised as nightwear
• knitted all-in-ones, sizes 00–2, of any style, made from fabrics with a mass less than 280 g/m²
• knitted all-in-ones, sizes 2 and over, of a style which identifies them as nightwear
• woven all-in-ones, of a style which identifies them as nightwear and
• loose boxer shorts.

Unless stated otherwise, this refers to sizes 00–14.

The mandatory standard also covers paper patterns for making children's nightwear.

On this page:

Exceptions to the standard

The following garments are excluded from the mandatory standard:

• leggings
• t-shirts
• close-fitting boxer shorts (underwear)
• headwear (beanies, hats, headbands)
• footwear (slippers, bed socks)
• handwear (gloves, mittens)
• swimwear.

Hazards

Death or serious injury

Children can suffer severe burns or death if the nightwear clothing they are wearing catches fire.

Mandatory standard

This mandatory standard is based on Australian and New Zealand Standard, AS/NZS 1249:2003, Children’s nightwear and limited daywear having reduced fire hazard. 

AS/NZS 1249:2003 is a voluntary standard except for those sections specifically called up into the mandatory standard, which then become law. You must consult the mandatory standard for these details.

For complete information about all mandatory requirements for nightwear for children, we strongly advise that you read the Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standards) (Children’s Nightwear and Paper Patterns for Children’s Nightwear) Regulations 2007.

This mandatory standard came into effect on 1 March 2008.

Does this apply to your business?

• in relation to goods - (including re-supply) by way of sale, exchange, lease, hire or hire-purchase and
• in relation to services - provide, grant of confer. 

• manufacturers
• importers
• distributors
• retailers
• hirers.

To allow for staggered implementation, there are some cases where a mandatory standard or ban prescribes different compliance dates for the manufacturing, importing and supply of a product. Manufacturers, importers and distributors should check for this detail in the mandatory standard before embarking on production, importation or distribution of these goods.

Complying with the mandatory standard

Penalties and consequences

Some key requirements

The requirements below are key requirements only. They may help to give suppliers a general idea of the detail they must look up in the regulations. This information may also assist consumers when they are choosing nightwear for children.

While we provide some advice on this page to help you understand aspects of the standard you can visually check, suppliers must not rely on this information as a complete guide to compliance.

Safety categories

Nightwear for children (and some daywear) is classified into one of four categories, according to garment or fabric type.
 
However, some garments are so flammable they cannot meet any of the four categories, so cannot be given a label and must not be sold.

Labelling

Each category requires a label.
Categories 1–3 require a low fire hazard label.

Category 4 requires a high fire hazard warning label.

Category 1

Garments made from fabric and trims that pass low flammability tests. Examples include wool, some synthetics and some heavy cottons.

Category 2

Garments that are close fitting, such as pyjamas, do not ignite or burn as readily. As a result, they may be made from more flammable fabrics. Garment measurements apply according to size.

Category 3

Babies’ all-in-ones have their own category because there is little difference between daywear and nightwear. This category covers all-in-one garments in sizes 00–2, such as jumpsuits and rompers. It applies to garments made mostly from knitted fabrics and with a mass less than 280 g/m²

Category 4

Applies to garments that do not fit categories 1, 2 or 3 but still meet some fabric, size and burning test requirements.

Testing

While the mandatory standard includes some features that can be visually checked, it also specifies testing to ensure that nightwear for children meet requirements for fire hazards. Suppliers need to organise this testing through specialist laboratories with the right skills, experience and equipment. 

Testing requirements include:

Fabric type

The type of fabric used in nightwear garments for children may require testing to establish the appropriate fire hazard category.

Fabric trims

Fabric trims need to meet certain requirements under the different fire hazard categories. 

Safety markings for paper patterns

Labelling

• The envelope of the paper pattern must have a clear and legible warning about the flammability of some fabrics and nightwear styles.
• The standard sets out specifications for the label typeface including the words ‘FIRE WARNING’ to appear in bold, uppercase lettering.