SAFETY

Safety

We take safety very seriously and only stock products from trusted suppliers who are the industry leaders in the fancy dress market. They invest heavily to ensure the integrity and safety of all the products we source from them. They have gone above and beyond the required safety standards for children’s costumes. In 2015 alone, they invested over £1,000,000 in their safety testing and procedures

Regulations of Children's Costumes

Children’s costumes are regulated and must comply with EN71. This is a European standard which tests for flammability, choking and strangulation hazards, and toxicity. This strict criteria does not apply to everyday children’s clothing (with the exception of some nightwear).

  • Children’s clothing can catch fire and burn when exposed to fire and naked flames and some manufacturers only voluntarily add "keep away from fire" warnings.
  • Children’s costumes must comply with EN71 Toy Directive. This is a Europe-wide standard which tests for Small Parts / Sharp edges (Choking & Strangulation prevention) Flammability and Toxicity.
  • The flammability testing for EN71 measures the ‘rate of flame spread’ on fabric & complete costumes and how quickly the flame self-extinguishes.

Suppliers can voluntarily test children’s costumes to Nightwear (Safety) Standards, and Smiffys our supplier does this as an additional measure to EN71.

See FAQs for more information.

Our supplier Smiffys approach: Going above and beyond

Their dedicated in-house team ensure that all of our children’s costumes (and certain accessories) are manufactured and rigorously tested to comply with both EN71 regulations and Nightwear (Safety) Standards. This ensures the absolute highest safety standards and reassurance that all children’s costumes are as safe and fit for purpose.

We take pride that all Smiffys children’s costumes we supply are:

  • Labelled "Warning. Keep away from fire" irrespective of the burn rate within the EN71 regulatory limit
  • Labelled with the CE mark as a declaration that the product meets the European Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC), and has undergone a variety of product tests to ensure that it is safe for use
  • Tested to Nightwear (Safety) Standards as an additional safety measure
  • Subject to further safety checks through spot-checks and batch tests (surveillance and due-diligence testing) once the products are received in the UK warehouse to guarantee quality and safety assurance

In addition, every production they run is batch tested and verified as compliant at source and their safety certificates are continually updated.

Click here to view which standards our costumes have been tested to. You can search the PDF by product name or SKU using Ctrl + F.

What to look for in Children's costumes

Other manufacturers may not be as vigilant about safety and may not be willing to invest in safety procedures and testing standards.

Safety checks: What to look out for

  • The packaging, or any accompanying leaflet, should contain specific parental or flammability warnings, safety symbols and instructions for use, etc
  • Costumes should be permanently labelled with the CE mark and relevant fire warnings
  • Check the CE marking hasn’t been faked – check the correct logo has been used, particularly the middle line of the E as it should be shorter
  • The label or packaging should contain the manufacturers name, address, postcode or phone number and a registered trademark

Don't be deceived by cheap, counterfeit products, online or in-store. These items will not have undergone safety checks or stand up to the safety standards Smiffys employs as a responsible manufacturer. Not only are counterfeit costumes poor quality, but also potentially unsafe. Selling counterfeit goods is illegal and usually funds criminal activities.

Our supplier has invested time and money removing counterfeit products and work closely with online marketplaces to remove infringing product listings and fake replicas. They take legal action where they identify illegal sellers copying their 'branded' designs and products. This is significantly reducing the amount of cheap alternative unbranded products that are sold using official Smiffys IIimages which we may feel we have to compete with.

As a family run business they understand the needs of parents to feel confident in the costume they choose for their children. They pride themselves in going above and beyond the safety regulation requirements to provide a costume that you can both feel confident putting your children in for Halloween and any dress up occasion.

Safety FAQs

1 What are the legal obligations for testing fancy dress costumes? Fancy dress costumes are categorised as toys and therefore must comply with the European Toy Safety Directive EN71 parts 1, 2 and 3. This means that in the UK, all costumes Age 14 and under, must meet strict criteria with regards to testing and labelling.

Costumes are tested to make sure that they do not pose a choking or strangulation risk. They are also tested to additional flammability tests over and above EN71. Plus individual fabrics and components are tested for toxicity, to make sure we manufacture a safe and fit for purpose costume.

2 What does the flammability test involve? A specific flame is applied to both fabric and samples as a complete costume, to test the rate of flame-spread and any self-extinguishing properties - in other words, how quickly the fabric burns in (s)/mm and how quickly the flame goes out by itself, if ignited and self-extinguished.

The rate of spread of flame of the test sample should not exceed 30 mm/or the test sample shall self-extinguish. If the rate of spread of flame is between 10 mm/s and 30 mm/s, the appropriate part(s) of the toy and the packaging shall be permanently marked with the following warning: “Warning. Keep away from fire”

3 What steps are taken to ensure the legal safety standards are met on all Smiffys costumes? Working in partnership with our preferred global Test House - Intertek, Smiffys follow a strict due diligence process to ensure that all our products are rigorously tested before they reach the market. Every product line is batch tested at production stage and on arrival in to the UK. Then additional spot checks are performed as a surveillance measure, to ensure that the highest safety standards are maintained.

4 What should I look for on the label? Smiffys products carry a CE mark to show that they comply with the legal standards set out in EN71. Smiffys costumes are also labelled with a ‘Warning – Keep Away From Fire’.

5 What are the legal safety-testing requirements for Nightwear? In the UK and Europe, nightdresses, pyjamas, dressing gowns, bath robes and similar garments must comply with the Nightwear (Safety) Regulations standards BS5722. Smiffys are applying this test method to all our Children’s Costumes for Age 14 and under, as an additional flammability measure.

6 What does the Nightwear (Safety) Standards flammability test involve? Six pieces of the same garment, including threads, trimmings and decorations (prints/components) are tested. All samples must be washed/conditioned prior to testing. The garment is hung in a vertical frame and a flame is applied to the bottom two inches for ten seconds. The time it takes for the flame to spread to a “trip thread” must not exceed 25s/300mm and subsequently 50s/600mm.

7 What are the main differences between EN71 and the Nightwear (Safety) Regulations? EN71 has a broader remit and requires that testing criteria on a wider range of safety issues is adhered to, for example small parts / heavy metal content of the fabric. In many respects, the testing process for EN71 is more rigorous and further criteria must be met in order to comply. It is possible for a garment to comply with the Nightwear Regulations if the fabric melts or chars when set alight, which may be more dangerous to a child than an EN71-compliant, self-extinguishing fabric.

8 What does Smiffys new safety policy on all new lines in the 2016 collection mean for consumers? From January 2016, all Smiffys children’s costumes are tested to meet BOTH EN71 & Nightwear standards, in order to ensure the absolute highest safety standards and provide reassurance that all children’s costumes are as safe and fit for purpose.

Building on the strict safety testing standards already in place, Intertek will continue to test Smiffys costumes to EN71 standards and additional Nightwear (Safety) Regulations standards testing has been introduced at source.

Compliance

For statements and information relating to regulatory and legislative frameworks and guidance please click on the relevant link.

1. The European Online Dispute Resolution platform http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/ provides information about alternative dispute resolution.

2. Modern Slavery Statement: Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Act (2005)

3. Smiffys are delighted to be working with the Lincolnshire Trading Standards and their Primary Authority scheme; showcasing how seriously we take safety. As legal partners with the Primary Authority for Lincolnshire, we ensure compliance with all trading standards and fire safety regulations. Guidance from Primary Authority is invaluable to Smiffys, allowing us to confidently invest in our protocol resources with the knowledge of guaranteed conformity. Our partnership with the Primary Authority ensures that all our Children’s Costumes exceed industry safety standards especially; surpassing both EN71 regulations and Nightwear (Flammability) Standards.

Safety

At The Costume Corner, we prioritise safety above all and invest heavily to ensure the highest standards in product safety. We consistently go beyond the legal requirements to guarantee the integrity of our children’s costumes. In 2015 alone, we invested over £1,000,000 in safety testing and protocols.

Regulations for Children's Costumes
Children’s costumes are subject to strict regulations and must meet the European EN71 standard, which tests for flammability, choking and strangulation risks, as well as toxicity. These criteria are far more stringent than those for everyday children’s clothing (with the exception of some nightwear).

While all children’s clothing can catch fire if exposed to flames, some manufacturers only voluntarily include "keep away from fire" warnings. However, children's costumes must comply with the EN71 Toy Directive, which ensures they are rigorously tested for Small Parts/Sharp Edges (to prevent choking and strangulation), Flammability, and Toxicity.

EN71 flammability testing examines the rate at which flames spread across fabrics and full costumes, along with how quickly a flame extinguishes itself. At The Costume Corner, we go beyond EN71 standards, testing our products to meet Nightwear (Safety) Standards as an additional safety measure.

For more information, visit our FAQs.

The Costume Corner’s Commitment to Safety
Our dedicated in-house team ensures that all of our children's costumes (and certain accessories) are meticulously manufactured and tested to meet both EN71 regulations and Nightwear (Safety) Standards. This dual testing ensures the highest possible safety for every costume we sell.

We take pride in the fact that all The Costume Corner children’s costumes:
- Are labelled with "Warning: Keep away from fire", regardless of the burn rate being within the EN71 limits.
- Display the CE mark, confirming that they meet the European Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC) and have passed rigorous safety tests.
- Undergo Nightwear (Safety) Standards testing, offering an extra layer of protection.
- Are subject to further safety checks, including spot-checks and batch tests, once they arrive at our UK warehouse to ensure continued quality and safety.

Each production batch is tested at the source, and we continuously update our safety certificates to maintain compliance.

You can click here to view which standards our costumes meet. To find specific products, use Ctrl + F to search by product name or SKU in the PDF.

What to Look for in Children’s Costumes
While The Costume Corner goes above and beyond, other manufacturers may not be as diligent. It’s important to look for the following:

Safety Checks: What to Look Out For
- Packaging or accompanying leaflets should include parental guidance, flammability warnings, and safety symbols or instructions.
- Costumes should be permanently labelled with the CE mark and relevant fire safety warnings.
- Ensure the CE mark is authentic, particularly the middle line of the ‘E’, which should be shorter.
- The label or packaging should include the manufacturer's name, address, and contact details.

Beware of counterfeit or cheap costumes found online or in stores. These items often bypass safety checks, posing potential risks. Not only are counterfeit costumes of inferior quality, but they are also unsafe. Selling counterfeit products is illegal and often supports criminal activity.

We invest significant time and resources into eliminating counterfeit items, working closely with online marketplaces to remove infringing listings and fake replicas. We also take legal action against those selling illegal copies of our branded designs and products, which helps reduce the number of cheap, unbranded alternatives falsely marketed under our images.

As a family-run business, we understand how important it is for parents to feel secure in the costumes they choose for their children. That’s why we go beyond basic safety regulations, ensuring that every costume we offer provides confidence and peace of mind for Halloween and other dressing-up occasions.

Safety FAQs
1. What are the legal requirements for testing children's fancy dress costumes?
Fancy dress costumes are classified as toys and must comply with the European Toy Safety Directive EN71 parts 1, 2, and 3. This ensures that all costumes for children aged 14 and under meet strict criteria for testing and labelling.

2. What does flammability testing involve?
A specific flame is applied to both the fabric and full costume samples to assess the rate of flame spread and any self-extinguishing properties. The test measures how quickly the flame spreads and how rapidly it goes out on its own.

3. How does The Costume Corner ensure safety compliance for all products?
We partner with our global testing agency, Intertek, to follow a strict due diligence process. Every product line is batch-tested during production and upon arrival in the UK. We also conduct spot-checks as an added surveillance measure to maintain the highest safety standards.

4. What should I check for on labels?
All of our costumes carry the CE mark, indicating compliance with EN71 standards. They are also labelled with a ‘Warning – Keep Away From Fire’ notice.

5. What are the safety-testing requirements for nightwear?
In the UK and Europe, nightwear such as pyjamas and dressing gowns must comply with the Nightwear (Safety) Regulations BS5722. At The Costume Corner, we apply this test to all our children's costumes as an added measure of safety.

6. What does the nightwear flammability test involve?
Six samples of the garment are tested, including threads, trims, and decorations. The fabric is subjected to a flame for ten seconds, and the time it takes for the flame to spread is measured. This ensures that the costume's flammability is within safe limits.

7. How does EN71 differ from Nightwear (Safety) Standards?
EN71 testing is more comprehensive and covers a wider range of safety issues, such as the risk from small parts or toxic elements. While the Nightwear Standards focus primarily on flammability, EN71 sets a higher bar for overall safety.

8. What does The Costume Corner’s 2016 safety policy mean for consumers?
From 2016, all The Costume Corner children’s costumes have been tested to meet both EN71 and Nightwear standards. This ensures our products offer the absolute highest safety standards and provide complete peace of mind for parents.

For more information on regulatory and legislative frameworks, please visit the following links:

1. The European Online Dispute Resolution platform: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr


2. Modern Slavery Statement: Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Act (2005)

Our partnership with the Primary Authority for Lincolnshire ensures all our children’s costumes exceed industry safety standards, surpassing both EN71 regulations and Nightwear (Flammability) Standards.