NETHERLANDS: COVENANT ON FIRE SAFETY FOR NIGHTWEAR The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6. G/TBT/Notif.97.223. 1. Member to Agreement notifying: NETHERLANDS. If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2). 2. Agency responsible: Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. Agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification can be indicated if different from above: National Enquiry Point. 3. Notified under Article 2.9.2. 4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Nightwear: any clothing which is reasonably expected to be worn in relation to sleeping (nightgowns/nightshirts, pajamas, dressing gowns and housecoats). 5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Covenant on Fire Safety for Nightwear (5 pages, in English). 6. Description of content: By means of the covenant (agreement), representatives of the organized nightwear industry have agreed tomake every effort to ensure that their members (manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and retail traders) only sell nightwear which meets the fire-safety requirements set out in Appendices I and II (pictogram: reduced fire-resistance) of the covenant. The arrangements concerned have been made on a voluntary basis. The competent authority, in this case the Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sport, is co-signatory to the covenant as it has committed itself to monitor whether the industry is actually meeting its promises within the market. The covenant is to be considered as the (self-regulatory) replacement of the Food and Drugs Act Decree on Fire Safety for Nightwear, which was withdrawn in 1996 within the framework of the deregulation sought by the Dutch Government. 7. Objective and rationale: These arrangements are essential in view of the seriousness and extent of injury caused by fires and, related to this, the established increased fire risk associated with nightwear. In this respect, we would also point out that many fires start in the bedroom and it is a fact that nightwear is as a rule worn next to the skin. Also, nightwear is often cut generously, which means that the risk of catching fire and the fast spreading thereof is quite considerable. 8. Relevant documents: Not listed. 9. Proposed date of adoption: 5 March 1997; Proposed date of entry into force: 5 September 1997. 10. Final date for comments: 22 July 1997. 11. Text available from: National enquiry point. (0154)

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