Historic Safety Standard to Eliminate Majority of Corded Window Coverings from U.S. Market Takes Effect.

A vast majority of window covering products sold in the United States will be cordless or have inaccessible or short cords, as a result of a new safety standard that went into effect on December 15, 2018.  This new requirement applies to stock products, sold in stores and online, which accounts for more than 80 percent of all window covering products sold in the U.S.

Frequently Asked Questions on the New Window Covering Safety Standard

- What does the new standard do?

The new safety standard ensures that a vast majority of window covering products sold in the United States and Canada will be cordless or have inaccessible or short cords.  The updated standard requires that all stock products (items mostly sold in retail stores and online) manufactured for sale in the United States—which account for more than 80 percent of all window covering products sold in the U.S. and Canada — to be cordless or have inaccessible cords. This approach is supported by a review of the hazard data that shows that a vast majority of incidents related to corded window coverings identified by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) take place on stock products.

- What is a stock product?

Most window covering products sold to consumers in retail stores or online are “stock” products, meaning that the products are completely or substantially fabricated in advance of being distributed in commerce. The product can either be sold “as is” or modified or adjusted by the seller, manufacturer, or distributor prior to being distributed in commerce in the U.S. and it would still be considered a stock blind, shade or shading product.

- What is a custom product?

A custom product is any window covering that is not defined as a stock window covering, i.e., a “ready-made” product, available off the shelf.

- Why aren’t custom products required to be cordless?

At this time, cordless products do not meet all the needs and desires of all consumers, including the elderly and users with disabilities. As a result, manufacturers need to be able to sell corded products to these customers and for certain applications. When purchasing custom products, a consumer is required to interact with a salesperson or installation specialist, who provides window covering safety information, specifically regarding the fact that consumers should not use corded products in homes with young children. It should also be noted that there are many cordless options for custom products.

- What are the other updates from the last version of the safety standard?

The revised standard imposes new restrictions on these custom-order products such as requiring operating cords to have a default length of 40% of the blind height [currently it is unlimited] and a default to a tilt wand instead of a tilt cord. The new safety standard also includes a change in warning tags to more graphically depict the strangulation hazard.

- When does the new standard go into effect?

All window coverings manufactured after December 15, 2018 must comply with the new standard. In anticipation of the December 15th effective date for the new standard, many manufacturers began converting their stock product lines to window coverings that are cordless, have inaccessible operating cords or short cords months ago in anticipation of the effective date.

- Will there still be corded stock window coverings manufactured before December 15 in retail stores and online after December 15?

WCMA cannot speak for retailers.  The new standard is a manufacturing standard and the WCMA’s membership includes only manufacturers. Many manufacturers began converting their stock product lines to window coverings that are cordless, have inaccessible cords or short cords months ago in anticipation of the effective date. After December 15, 2018, manufacturers must only supply stock window covering products to their customers that are cordless, have inaccessible cords, or short cords.

- What products are covered under the new standard?

The standard applies to all types of window coverings sold or manufactured in the U.S. by all participants in the window coverings industry.

- What if the window coverings are purchased directly from an overseas company; do these new standards still apply?

Yes.

- Because these are “voluntary standards,” does that mean manufacturers’ compliance is not mandatory?

No. All companies who manufacture, distribute or sell window coverings in the U.S. must comply with the voluntary safety standards or face enforcement action by the CPSC and/or be open to legal action if non-compliant products are sold.  Almost all consumer products have voluntary rather than mandatory safety standards. “Voluntary” simply signifies that industry worked cooperatively with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, safety experts, and others under the auspices and guidelines of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), or a similar accreditation body, to develop the standard.

- Who enforces the safety standard?

All companies who manufacture, distribute, or sell window coverings in the U.S. must comply with the voluntary safety standard or face enforcement action by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and/or be open to legal action if noncompliant products are sold.

- How can I be certain that a window covering is cordless or has inaccessible cords?

There are many cordless options available to consumers easily identifiable by the “Best for Kids” label. Consumers today can look for the “Best for Kids” certification label to identify cordless window covering options. WCMA created the “Best for Kids” certification program in 2015 to make it easier for consumers shopping for window coverings to identify cordless products.

- Where can I get more information?

For information on the Window Covering Safety Council’s ongoing national public education campaign, visit www.windowcoverings.org.