Embracing Safer Homes: The Impact of the 2022 Window Covering Safety Standared

Are you ready to make your home safer for your loved ones? In 2018, our advocacy led to a monumental change in the window covering industry. The Window Covering Manufacturing Association (WCMA) took a significant step by removing cords from stock products and introducing the ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2018 Window Covering Safety standard. This move was later mandated by CPSC that all stock products sold in retail stores and online must be cordless, marking a major win for consumer safety.

However, the journey to a safer marketplace didn’t end there. Despite the progress, misinformation spread like wildfire, with numerous paid influencers falsely claiming that all cords were banned in the USA. The reality is that custom products with hazardous cords were still being sold both in stores and online. This created confusion among consumers, highlighting the need for further action.

Fast forward to November 7, 2022, when the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission filed two rules due to hazardous cords left on custom products. This prompted the WCMA to swiftly file for approval of the safety standard on December 13, 2022. While progress was made, the preliminary standard presented to ANSI committee members fell short of addressing proven hazards on custom products, particularly continuous loop operating systems – a historic design flaw in window covering safety.

Despite opposition from CPSC, Safety Experts, and PFWBS, the ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2022 was published on January 27, 2023. Manufacturers must comply with this updated standard by June 1st, 2024, ushering in another round of safety for window coverings.

Thanks to our ongoing advocacy, the WCMA removed the deadly pull cord lift systems that had tragically claimed hundreds of lives of children for decades. Window blinds, Roman shades, cellular shades, and top-down, bottom-up shades are among the products this pivotal change affects. However, the absence of agreement between manufacturers and the CPSC has resulted in the inability to recall these hazardous products, allowing millions of banned items to remain on store shelves and in homes nationwide without alerting the public to their potential dangers.

With the updated safety standard, it’s clear that if your window covering still features pull cords, its safety has expired. For years, consumers believed these products were safe, especially by calling a 1-800 number for a repair kit that included “safety” tassels. The truth is that cordless options or cords covered by a rigid device are the only ones that meet the highest safety standards.

Let’s work together to create a safer environment for our families. Stay informed, stay safe, and choose cordless options for peace of mind. Together, we can make a difference in ensuring a safer future for all.

#WindowCoveringSafety #HomeSafety #CordlessOptions #ConsumerAdvocacy