Packaging Compliance
Suffocation Warnings
Thin plastic bags can create a breathing hazard. Understand why warnings exist, how an actual rule defines its scope and how to keep safety text readable on the finished bag.
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The warning is about a specific physical hazard. Bag dimensions, opening, thickness, intended use and destination determine the applicable review.
- Read dimensions, thickness and scope together.
- One mil equals 25.4 micrometers.
- Check the required warning on the actual filled bag.
On this page
Why a flexible bag creates a hazardApply the actual jurisdiction’s conditions togetherRead mil as a thickness unit, not millimetersUse the required message without burying itInspect the warning on the filled physical bagPut the safety review before final artwork approval01 / 06
Why a flexible bag creates a hazard
Thin flexible film can cover a baby’s or child’s nose and mouth and obstruct breathing. A bag that protects a garment during transport is therefore not an appropriate toy or bedding accessory. The safety message addresses that foreseeable misuse.
A warning is one part of the design review. Consider whether an unnecessary bag can be removed, whether the construction is appropriate and how it is supplied. Increasing thickness or adding ventilation should not be treated as an automatic worldwide exemption from every applicable requirement.
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Apply the actual jurisdiction’s conditions together
Rules can use different dimensional thresholds, thickness limits, intended-use definitions and presentation requirements. Marketplace policies can add their own requirements. A familiar supplier warning template is not evidence that the item has been assessed for the destination.
New York City provides a concrete example: the cited provision considers combined length and width, opening and film thickness together, within its stated scope. A summary saying only ‘bags over five inches need a warning’ would lose important conditions.
| NYC § 173.17 condition | Threshold in the cited provision |
|---|---|
| Covered bag or packaging use | Read the provision’s household/domestic and play-related scope |
| Length plus width | 25 inches or more |
| Opening | 7 inches or more |
| Film thickness | Less than 1 mil |
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Read mil as a thickness unit, not millimeters
One mil is one thousandth of an inch: 0.0254 mm, or 25.4 micrometers. It is not one millimeter. Confusing the units changes the stated thickness by a large factor and can invalidate a comparison.
Use the nominal specification with the agreed measurement method and tolerance. If a rule’s threshold is close to the supplied film thickness, resolve the actual measurement and its interpretation rather than rounding a catalog number to a convenient result.
Illustrative dimensional check using the cited NYC conditions
A bag 16 inches long and 10 inches wide has a combined dimension of 26 inches. If its opening is 8 inches and thickness is 0.8 mil, all three listed numeric conditions are met. A 14-by-10-inch bag has a combined dimension of 24 inches, so the same numeric test gives a different result. Scope and other applicable rules still need review.
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Use the required message without burying it
The cited New York City provision calls for a prominent, legible warning with contrasting presentation, printed on or attached to the bag as specified. The message explains the hazard and the action: keep the bag away from children and from sleeping or play spaces.
The exact required wording and typography must come from the applicable rule or policy. Do not shrink mandatory text merely to match a minimalist design. This page’s NYC example is useful for understanding the message; it is not a worldwide artwork template.
Wording in the cited NYC provision
WARNING: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this plastic bag away from babies and children. Do not use this bag in cribs, beds, carriages or play pens.
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Inspect the warning on the filled physical bag
Transparent film can make dark text disappear against dark contents. A fold, seal or label can cover part of the message. A readable computer proof can therefore become unreadable when the bag contains the actual product.
Review placement, contrast, type size, language and permanence at final size. Inspect the bag both empty and in its usual packed state. Keep text clear of closure and seam areas so handling does not hide the instruction.
| Physical review | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Filled appearance | Contrast against typical contents |
| Position | Not hidden by folds, seals or labels |
| Size and wording | Match the applicable rule or marketplace requirement |
| Durability | Message remains legible through normal handling |
| Language | Appropriate to the market and requirement |
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Put the safety review before final artwork approval
The production brief should include destination, sales channel, intended use, bag dimensions, opening and thickness. Establish the relevant requirement before centering the logo and fixing the print area. A late warning addition can force an otherwise approved design to change.
Keep the approved wording and physical sample with the final file revision. If the dimensions or film specification change, revisit the review. Safety approval should follow the actual bag rather than a template copied from a different order.
- 1Define market and use
- 2Record dimensions and thickness
- 3Identify the applicable requirement
- 4Place and proof the message
- 5Inspect the filled sample
- 6Approve the final revision
Official and first-party resources · reviewed October 7, 2026
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