Why Compliance Matters in Children's Clothing
Children's clothing is held to stricter safety standards than adult clothing, and for good reason. The fabrics, dyes, trims, and components that go into a child's garment must meet specific safety thresholds to protect sensitive skin and prevent harm.
As a CPSIA compliant clothing manufacturer, we build compliance into every stage of our production process. It's not something we bolt on at the end. From raw material selection through to final inspection, every decision is made with safety standards in mind.
For your brand, this means peace of mind. When your garments arrive, they're ready to sell in your market without additional testing or compliance work on your end.
Safety Standards We Meet
CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) for the US market
All garments we produce for US-bound brands comply with CPSIA requirements. This covers lead content limits in substrates and surface coatings, phthalate restrictions in children's products, flammability standards for nightwear, and tracking label requirements. We source materials that are tested and certified to meet these thresholds, and we can provide documentation to support your compliance obligations.
REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) for UK and EU markets
For brands selling in the UK and EU, our production complies with REACH regulations governing the use of chemicals in textile manufacturing. This includes restrictions on azo dyes, formaldehyde, and other substances of concern.
GOTS Certified Clothing Production
For brands requiring organic certification, we can produce using GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified fabrics and processes. GOTS certified fabric sourcing requires minimum fabric quantities (approximately 2,500 metres), and covers the entire supply chain from raw material through to labelling. For more details on organic fabric options and minimums, see our organic clothing manufacturing page.
Our 8-Step Quality Control Process
Every garment we produce, regardless of order size, goes through our structured 8-step quality control process:
1. Raw material inspection: Fabrics and trims are checked on arrival for defects, colour consistency,shrinkage and compliance with specifications.
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2. Pre-production review: Patterns, measurements, and construction details are verified against the approved sample before cutting begins.
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3. Cutting inspection: Cut pieces are checked for accuracy against the pattern, ensuring grain lines, sizing, and fabric alignment are correct.
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4. In-line inspection during stitching: Garments are checked at multiple points during construction for stitching quality, seam strength, and consistency.
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5. Embroidery and handwork inspection: For garments with smocking, embroidery, or other handwork, each piece is individually inspected for stitch quality, pattern accuracy, and finishing.
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6. Final individual inspection: Every single garment is individually inspected against the approved sample for fit, construction, and finishing. This is not a sampling-based check. Every piece is looked at.
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7. Finishing and pressing inspection: Completed garments are checked for loose threads, pressing quality, button security, and overall appearance.
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8. Packing and shipping inspection: Garments are checked during packing for correct labelling, folding, polybag quality, and carton accuracy. We verify quantities, assortments, and shipping documentation before dispatch.
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When your order arrives, it's 100% shelf-ready.
Third-Party Testing
We can arrange independent third-party testing through internationally recognized laboratories such as Intertek when required. This provides an additional layer of assurance for brands that need formal test reports for their retail partners or regulatory obligations.
If your retail customers require specific test reports (many large retailers do), we can coordinate testing to their specifications.
Ethical & Responsible Manufacturing
Good Working Conditions
We work with manufacturing partners who maintain safe, clean, and well-managed production facilities. Workers are treated with dignity and respect, with fair wages and reasonable working hours.
Women-Owned, Women-Led
Strawberry Stripes is a women-owned business. Training and empowering women artisans is central to what we do. To date, we have trained over 50 women artisans to achieve financial independence, supporting them with flexible work schedules, healthcare, and financial planning assistance. When you work with us, you're supporting a community of skilled women who take enormous pride in their craft.
Sustainable Practices
We are committed to minimising waste in our production process. We source responsibly, use azo-free dyes as standard, and work with organic and BCI cotton options for brands seeking sustainable alternatives. See our organic clothing options →
Confidentiality & Intellectual Property Protection
We take confidentiality seriously. We do not share images or details of your collections on social media or with any third party without your explicit written permission. We do not reuse your designs. Original patterns, tech packs, and production created for you remain your intellectual property
This is especially important for private label brands whose competitive advantage depends on the exclusivity of their designs. Learn more about our private label manufacturing →
Transparent Costing
We provide detailed quotes before any work begins. Quotes are provided for multiple quantity batches if required so you know what scaling will mean for you. There are no hidden fees, no surprise charges, and no ambiguity about what you're paying for.
If costs change due to fabric price fluctuations or design modifications during development, we communicate this upfront and get your approval before proceeding.
Certifications & Memberships
Memberships
Testing partners
Frequently Asked Questions
CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) sets mandatory safety requirements for children's products sold in the United States. For clothing, this includes limits on lead content, phthalate restrictions, flammability requirements, and tracking label specifications. As a CPSIA compliant clothing manufacturer, we ensure all our garments meet these requirements before they leave our facility.
REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is a European Union regulation that governs the use of chemicals in manufactured products, including textiles. It restricts substances like certain azo dyes, formaldehyde, and heavy metals that can be harmful, particularly in clothing worn by children. REACH compliance is required for garments sold in the UK and EU markets. All our production meets REACH standards, ensuring your garments are safe for sale in these markets.
Yes. We can arrange third-party testing through internationally recognized labs such as Intertek. If your retail partners require specific test reports, we can coordinate testing to their specifications and provide the documentation you need.
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is the leading international certification for organic textiles. It covers the entire supply chain and ensures that the fabric is genuinely organic and that production meets strict environmental and labour standards. We can produce using GOTS certified fabrics, though minimum fabric quantities apply. See our organic clothing page for details.
We treat all client designs as strictly confidential. We do not reuse designs, share product images on social media, or disclose production details to any third party without your explicit written permission. Original patterns, tech packs, and specifications remain your intellectual property.
For us, ethical garment manufacturing means fair wages, safe working conditions, reasonable working hours, and investing in our workforce. As a women-owned business, we have trained over 50 women artisans, supporting them with flexible schedules, healthcare, and financial planning assistance. It also means transparency in our costing and honest communication with our clients.