Can I sell 100% cotton pajamas for kids in the U.S.?
Yes, but usually only as tight-fitting sleepwear or, for babies sized 9 months or smaller, as infant garments. CPSC says untreated 100% cotton typically fails the flame-resistance tests for children’s sleepwear, so loose-fitting cotton pajamas up to size 14 are unlikely to pass. For loose styles, CPSC suggests other fabrics or flame-resistant fibers, such as modacrylic.
What CPSC says about cotton
CPSC staff is aware that sleepwear made of certain untreated fibers typically fails the tests of parts 1615 and 1616, including 100% cotton, 100% silk, 100% rayon and 100% modal. Its advice: use different fabrics or integrate flame-resistant fibers, modacrylic being one example; or meet the infant or tight-fitting criteria, which move the garment to part 1610, where “it may be possible that these fabrics comply” CPSC FAQ: what is sleepwear.
Three routes for a cotton style
| Route | What it takes |
|---|---|
| Tight-fitting, sizes 9–12 months to 14 | Every chest, waist, seat, upper arm, thigh, wrist and ankle measurement at or under the maximum for its size, sleeves and legs tapering, no trim over 1/4 in 16 CFR 1615.1(o) 16 CFR 1616.2(m); sizes in months or numbers, the yellow hangtag and the snug-fit label CPSC sleepwear FAQ |
| Infant garment | Sized and labeled 9 months or smaller; a one-piece garment no longer than 25.75 in, no piece of a two-piece set longer than 15.75 in; meets parts 1610 and 1611 16 CFR 1615.1(c) |
| Loose fit | Passes part 1615 or 1616: five specimens per sample, average char length no more than 7.0 in, none burning the full 10 in 16 CFR 1615.3(b), tested as produced (or after one wash) and again after 50 washes and dryings 16 CFR 1615.4(g)(4) |
Renaming a loose cotton set “loungewear” does not help: CPSC staff treats loungewear as sleepwear (see kids’ loungewear and robes) CPSC FAQ: what is sleepwear.
What every route needs
A CPC, since parts 1610, 1615 and 1616 are all on CPSC’s list CPSC CPC rules list, based on tests by a CPSC-accepted lab unless a testing exclusion applies: plain-surface fabrics of 2.6 oz/sq yd or more need no part 1610 test 16 CFR 1610.1(d). Plus a permanent tracking label CPSC tracking label FAQ. Lead in prints and painted snaps, and phthalates for sleepwear for children 3 and younger, are covered on our pajamas page.
You can work out the route and order the tests yourself. If you would rather not, send us each style, its sizes and measurements: our free check tells you by email which route it is on and which lab tests to order; once you have the lab reports, we write the CPC, the Registry import file and the broker sheet. $79 per certificate, 2 U.S. business days. We do not test, measure or label garments.
Last reviewed: October 26, 2026 · First published: October 26, 2026 · Not legal advice.
Sources read October 26, 2026
- CPSC, FAQ: Children’s Sleepwear
- 16 CFR 1615.1(o) — Tight-fitting garment
- 16 CFR 1616.2(m) — Tight-fitting garment, sizes 7 through 14
- CPSC, FAQ: Infant garments and tight-fitting sleepwear
- 16 CFR 1615.1(c) — Infant garment (sized nine months or smaller)
- 16 CFR 1615.3 — Children’s sleepwear: test criteria (char length)
- 16 CFR 1615.4 — Children’s sleepwear: test procedure (including laundering)
- CPSC, Rules requiring third-party testing and a CPC
- 16 CFR 1610.1(d) — Exemptions from testing
- CPSC, Tracking Label FAQ