US CPSC Publishes Safety Standard for Operating Cords on Custom Window Coverings

On January 7, 2022 the US CPSC published two NPRs which aim to reduce strangulation hazards associated with window cords.

On January 7, 2022, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published two proposed rules for standard and custom window coverings. These rules are as follows.

1. Amended: Substantial Product Hazard List: Window Covering Cords
2. New: Safety Standard for Operating Cords on Custom Window Coverings

The first proposed rule would amend 16 CFR 1120, a substantial product hazard list, to include two new definitions. These definitions define the terms “stock window covering” and “custom window covering” to be consistent with the definitions in the American National Standard for Safety of Corded Window Covering Products. 

Consumer products which are listed within 16 CFR 1120 have characteristics which present a substantial product hazard. The CPSC has determined these hazards are effectively mitigated via a product design which conforms to applicable industry standards. Products contained within this list must comply with applicable standards to be candidate for sale or import. 

The proposed rule would deem stock window coverings that fail to comply with one or more of three readily observable characteristics in the American National Standard for Safety of Corded Window Covering Products a substantial product risk:

• Operating cord requirements in sections 4.3.1.1 (cordless operating system), 4.3.1.2 (short static or access cord), or 4.3.1.3 (inaccessible operating cord)
• Inner cord requirements in sections 4.5, 6.3, 6.7, Appendix C, and Appendix D, and
• On-product manufacturer labels in section 5.3

Additionally, custom window coverings that fail to comply with one or more of two readily observable characteristics in the same American National Standard are deemed a substantial product risk:

• Inner cord requirements in section 4.5, 6.3, 6.7, Appendix C, and Appendix D, and
• On-product manufacturer labels in section 5.3

The second proposed rule, Safety Standard for Operating Cords on Custom Window Coverings, will be published under designation 16 CFR 1260. This rule would require that operating cords belonging to custom window coverings comply with the same performance requirements as operating cords on stock window coverings. These requirements are contained within the same American National Standard in section 4.3.1. These requirements are detailed within the below table.

Lastly, the second proposed rule will amend 16 CFR 1112, requirements pertaining to third party conformity assessment bodies, to include 16 CFR 1260. This will make third party testing, by a CPSC-accepted third party conformity assessment body, obligatory for window coverings classified as a children’s product. 

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References

1. Notice of Proposed Rule 16 CFR 1120
2. Notice of Proposed Rule 16 CFR 1112 & 1260

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For enquiries, please contact:
Allen Moldovan
Technical Specialist - Hardlines
t: +1 (201) 207-8503