The Requirements of Childrenswear Accessories for Buyer

Childrenswear Accessories for Buyer

To ensure that only an acceptable quality of fabric and childrenswear accessories are used for producing garments and proper quantity of shipment is received from the supplier. All incoming fabric and accessories of Auto Garments Limited.Store Manager and QC Manager is responsible for fabric and accessories inspection and proper reporting to the Director (Marketing & QC) or Merchandiser. Merchandiser/Director (Marketing & QC) is responsible for informing and negotiating with buyer regarding any non-conformity issues. Director (Marketing & QC) and Merchandiser is responsible for giving disposition decision.

Procedure

• Store Manager will receive incoming fabric and accessories and store them with YELLOW MARKED BOARD signifying the QUARANTINE status.
• Store Officer will check the received fabric with the reported length, color and type of fabric with the stated shipment document quantity and the actual order quantity.
• The findings will be recorded in Fabric Receive report (No. F/ST/10) and Accessories Receive Report (F/ST/01) as applicable. Discrepancy will be notified to the Director using Non-Conforming Material/Product Report (F/QC/20)
• QC Inspector (Fabric) will check 10% of received fabric (shall include all colors and dyelots received) for quality using the fabric inspection machine. He will identity any defect, hole or stain and shade variation in the fabric and make calculation as given in the following page.
• If the initial Inspection on 10% fabric fails, an additional 15% of fabric shall be checked. If the second check also shows high fault point, the shipment shall be either rejected or checked for 100%.
• If point grade is 28 or below, the fabric is accepted.
• The maximum penalty for any running yard (36″ X fabric width) must not be more than 4 points
• If result is more then 28 points the Director (Marketing & QC) or the Merchandiser shall be informed and the Fabric identified with ORANGE color board representing non-conforming status.

• The fabric is also visually checked for shading defects in side by side and length during fabric inspection and by cutting 6″ full width of fabric from each roll.
• The defect and inspection result is recorded in Pre-Cutting Fabric Inspection Report (Form No. F/QC/17). Any non-conformity and abnormal shading will be notified using Non-Conforming Material/Product Report (F/QC/20). Roll wise Color continuity card is maintained for identification of shade variations.
• Director (Marketing and QC)/Merchandiser shall make required communication with buyer and supplier for action to be taken. Director (Marketing & QC) shall review all decisions taken for the reported non-conformities.
• During the fabric inspection if the yardage of any roll is reported more or less by the Fabric Inspection Machine than the one specified in the roll, the roll will be measured manually using measurement tapes. Only calibrated measurement tapes shall be used.
• The result of manual measurement will be accepted as final. Any major discrepancy in roll length shall be notified to the Director (Marketing & QC) or the respective Merchandiser for that buyer.
• For washable garments, Fabric shrinkage and color fastness is tested by QC inspector (Fabric) on roll of fabric. A sample is cut into 15 sq. centimeters block and washed. After wash it is rechecked for shrinkage. Fastness of color/color bleed is checked after ironing he washed sample and comparing with the buyer approved sample. The record shall be made in Fabric Shrinkage and Color Fastness test Report (Form no. F/QC/18)
• Store Officer (Accessories) shall receive all accessories and check the received quantity for color wise and size wise break-up against suppliers commercial invoice/Packing list/work order & challan.
• Accessories carton will be weighted and checked against the stated weight.
• If the actual weight is found in accordance to the weight mentioned in shipping documents, packages will be opened for counting.
• If the weight is not found proper store Manager will be notified of the findings and the packet will not be opened.
• Store In-charge will record the non-conformity in Non-Conforming Material/Product Report (F/QC/20) and inform Director (Marketing and QC) or respective Merchandiser. Director 9Marketing & QC) / Merchandiser will give decision on that packet/lot of accessories after communicating with the supplier.
• 10% of Accessories of each type of every style shall be physically checked as per criteria specified by the buyer. The applicable sample size, inspection criteria and test method is available in Reference for Accessories Checking. The record (Pass/Fail) shall be maintained in Accessories Receive report (Form no. F/ST/01)
• Non-Conforming Material/Product Report (F/QC/20) will be used for recording of any non-conformity identified. Director (Marketing & QC) or respective merchandiser will be notified of any non-conformity in quality of accessories.
• If the accessories are found bearing acceptable quality and stated quantity, these will be stored in proper place in the stores with Identification and Quality passed status.
• Non-conforming Accessories shall be identified with “ORANGE” board representing non-conforming status. After decision from the Director (Marketing and QC) or the respective Merchandiser, Rejected accessories shall be stored with “RED” board showing Rejected status.

Accessories Requirements

• There should be no sharp edges that could result in injury to the wearer.
• For childrenswear, all non-detachable components such as buttons, zips, sliders, studs, buckles and cords must withstand a specified pull force, which is customer specific. Buyer will mention relevant requirements in our make sheets.
• All components for childrenswear must be either:
• Too large to pass through a cylinder 32mm in diameter, or
• Small enough to pass straight through the cylinder.
• In other words, they must not stick in the cylinder and thus be capable of sticking in a child’s throat.
• Generally, it states that any materials used must be designed and manufactured to meet the requirements of hygiene and cleanliness, avoiding risk of infection, sickness or contamination. Materials must in particular be visually clean and free from contamination.
• Components must not rust or corrode, so be steel free as well as nickel & lead free.
• All components used on childrenswear must be non-ferrous.
• All zips must have no scratch top-stops.
• Open-end zips must have top stops to prevent the slider being pulled off when the garment is unfastened.
• Autolock sliders for zips must be used for all principle fastening applications for all garments.
• With regard to childrenswear specifically:
• Metal/Claw top or bottom stops must not be used. Plastic top stops must be used whenever available in the country of manufacture.
• Coil zips must not be used on garments intended for children under 36 months.
• On closed end coil zips, plastic bottom stops must be used whenever possible.
• Metal zips are not suitable for children under 36 months.
• A placket is required behind all zips on garments for children aged 36 months or under.
• Pullers can be metal provided they meet all criteria and are non-ferrous and nickel free.
• All zippers must have plastic moulded stoppers top and bottom.
• Buttons must conform to all aspects of British Standard and must not contain toxic elements in excess of the limits.
• All buttons and other trims must be lockstitch attached with a minimum of 10 stitches.
• Any handsewing required must be discussed with the technical department buyer prior to production start.
• Buttons and any other components must be able to withstand a pull test force of 90N, so thread used and the design of the button must support the required security of the attachment of the button.
• Buttons made from glass, wood, mother of pearl, two-part or fabric covered buttons must not be used for childrenswear unless agreed with the customer.
• All buckles whether sewn on or riveted must be checked for sharp edges or burrs before attached.
• PU belts must be phthalate free, sides to be painted and ends rounded
• Any metal used must be strong enough not to bend or break, in accordance with BS5665.
• Eyelets & Metal fasteners must be cleanly clenched over to prevent sharp edges.
• Prong studs must be at least 15 lignes (9.53mm) in size.
• Stud buttons have arrow head fitment. Staple/prong attachments are unacceptable.
• Waste punched from the eyelet hole must be removed and the item checked thoroughly prior to packing, to ensure that no waste remains.
• Eyelets & Metal fasteners must be applied securely (with backing washer) according to the instructions of a signed data sheet and using the correct & recommended machinery (for press fastener attachment ratchet machines should be used). For childrenswear in particular, foot pressure machinery is not allowed.
• Roll setting eyelets (opposed to split setting eyelets) must be used on all products.
• All machines must be checked with sample pieces 2 – 4 hourly to ensure correct pinch is achieved.
• Facings should be made wide enough to accommodate the press fastener easily.
• They should not be positioned over seams or stitching.
• They should not be applied to a single layer of fabric. On knitted fabrics woven interlinings should be used as a backing.
• On garment wash items buttons/press fasteners etc. must only be attached after the washing process.
• Garments should be turned inside out before attaching press fasteners. Then turned the correct way at inspection to ensure no loose press fasteners remain.
• Supervisors and inspectors must have been trained on how to carry out daily random checks and document those (i.e. using a micrometer to check foundation depths on garments and a Vernier caliper to check correct pinch).
• All accessories to be BHT free and of at least 100 gauge thickness.
• All polybags must have at least 2 punched through airholes (so 4 holes in total) at least 150mm apart, of a ventilation area of 300mm per hole, to avoid accidental suffocation of children.
• All polybags to carry a “child safety” warning. Please see the required wording below. Font size to be a minimum of 14 pt.
• 100% Polyester thread must be used on products with low-flammability requirements.
• Monofilament thread must not be used in the production of auto garments
• Harsh or rough threads must not be used where they will come into direct contact with the skin.
• Where the back of a stitch, with heavy construction, may cause irritation to skin on any age, there must be a non-woven fusible interlining applied to prevent irritation
• Chain stitch must not be used with heavy thread counts to reduce abrasion
• For external decorative features, bulk thread double high twist thread products should be used
• Cable ties must be no longer/wider than 14 cm x 4mm.