Canada Publishes New General Flammability Testing Guidance on Marabou and Other Feather Products

Released on: April 07, 2014, 5:41 am (EDT)
Author:
Industry: Consumer Services

Hong Kong, China, -- /EPR NETWORK/ -- The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) prohibits the manufacture, importation, advertisement, and sale of non-compliant consumer products in Canada. Under the Textile Flammability Regulations (SOR/2011-22), products that do not meet the specified flammability requirements when tested in accordance with CAN/CGSB 4.2 No. 27.5 cannot be sold, advertized or imported into Canada.

New Textile Flammability Regulation in Canada

All apparel must be tested in accordance to and must comply with the Hazardous Products Act (HPA) and all government guidelines, laws and regulations in Canada (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/indust/flammability-inflammabilite/index-eng.php).

Flammability Requirements for General Wearing Apparel

Flammability requirements for all general textile products must comply with Item 4 of Part I of Schedule I of the Hazardous Products Act. These products, when tested in accordance with the Canadian General Standards Board Standard CAN/CGSB 4.2 No. 27.5-94, are prohibited if they have a flame spread time of:
- 3.5 seconds for less, where the products do not have a raised fiber surface; or
- 4 seconds or less, where the products have a raised fiber surface and exhibit ignition or fusion of their base fibers.

Flammability Requirements for Children’s Sleepwear

All children’s sleepwear sized 0-14x must comply with Item 5 of Part I of Schedule I of the Hazardous Products Act. When tested in accordance with the Canadian General Standards Board Standard CAN/CGSB 4.2 No. 27.5-94, these products are prohibited if they have a flame spread time of:
- 7 seconds or less (for products with or without a raised fiber surface, and irrespective of a base burn).

Flammability Requirements for Bedding

Flammability requirements for bedding must comply with Item 13 of Part I of Schedule I of the Hazardous Products Act. When tested in accordance with the Canadian General Standards Board Standard CAN/CGSB 4.2 No. 27.5-94, bedding is prohibited if it has a flame spread time of 7 seconds or less, and either:
- does not have a raised fiber surface; or
- has a raised fiber surface and exhibits ignition of fusion of its base fibers.

General Guidance on Flammability Testing of Marabou Feather and Other Feather Products

For feather products such as feather boas, marabou trim or feathers glued to cardboard or other supportive backing, specimens are prepared for testing in accordance with CAN/CGSB 4.2 No. 27.5. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure that the product is tested according to, and meets the requirements of the CCPSA and its regulations.

Preparation of marabou and other feather products for flammability testing:

- For feather boas, the feathers are required to be sandwiched in the specimen holder to secure in place, and the specimen is suggested to be cut to a length of 165mm. Excess feathers outside the specimen holder are trimmed.
- For marabou trim on a garment, the specimen may be oriented so that the lengthwise direction follows the “core” of the marabou trim. In the specimen holder, one side can be secured using the base fabric to which the marabou trim is attached; the other side can be secured by the marabou.
- For products with feathers glued to a cardboard surface or other supporting backing, a specimen measuring 50mm x 165mm is suggested to be cut directly from the product and place sandwiched in the specimen holder.
- As specified in CAN/CGSB 4.2 No. 27.5 – 2008, specimens that cannot be compressed to a thickness of 6mm or less, are allowed to use an alternate specimen holder which accommodates a compressed thickness of up to 20mm.
- Brushing of the specimens is not recommended. Although marabou and other feathers are considered to have a raised fiber surface, as brushing may pull the feathers from the specimen or holder.

For detailed information regarding textile flammability requirements under the CCPSA, refer to the Health Canada’s summary document (http://www.sgs.com/~/media/Global/Documents/Third%20Party%20Documents/...) or contact a Health Canada Product Safety Office (www.hc-sc.gc.ca/contact/cps-spc/hecs-dgsesc/pso-bsp-eng.php)

About SGS Softlines Services
SGS Global Softlines has an extensive network of over 40 laboratories worldwide, with a strong team of committed professionals from multi-disciplinary backgrounds. The SGS internationally accredited state-of-the-art testing laboratories offer a comprehensive range of physical, functional and chemical testing services (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Softlines-and-Accessories/Textile-and-Clothing/...) for components, materials and finished products. The SGS experts can help your company ensure quality, performance and compliance with international, industrial and regulatory standards worldwide.

Please do not hesitate to contact the SGS experts for further information.

Contact details:

SGS Consumer Testing Services
Kris Wan
Senior Manager, Global Softlines Development Office
SGS Hong Kong

t: +852 2765 3695
Email: cts.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Softlines-and-Accessories.aspx

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 80,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,650 offices and laboratories around the world.

Contact-Details: portrino GmbH

Maxstraße 10
01067 Dresden

Tel. +49(0)351 500.95.74
Fax. +49(0)351 500.95.71
Email:Online Marketing
______________________
portrino GmbH
Maxstraße 10
01067 Dresden

Tel. +49(0)351 500.95.74
Fax. +49(0)351 500.95.71
Email: gicquel@portrino.de
Web: www.portrino.de

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