WINDOW COVERING SAFETY STANDARDS

WINDOW
COVERING
SAFETY
STANDARDS
What every
business needs
to know
From B&W Window Fashions
Which businesses face risk for
non-compliance with the new
Window Coverings Safety Standards?
Every window fashion retailer
Every window fashion manufacturer
Every drapery workroom,
no matter how small
Every retail fabricator, regardless of size,
regardless of which products it fabricates
If you sell or manufacture window
fashions, you cannot afford to
ignore the new Safety Standards
Window covering safety is a shared responsibility among manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers. By manufacturing and
sourcing only products that comply with the new Safety Standards, we can all do our part to promote safety.
This publication is intended to raise awareness of the current window coverings Safety Standards.
It should not be used as a substitute for reading ANSI/WCMA A100.1-201 (PS2). We recommend obtaining a copy of the
Safety Standards and seeking legal counsel on their implementation.
Questions & Answers
for Window Coverings
Professionals
1. What are these new window covering safety standards that
everyone is talking about?
The new safety standards are included in the 2ND PROVISIONAL AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD FOR
SAFETY OF CORDED WINDOW FASHIONS (ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2010 (PS2)) published by the Window Coverings
Manufacturers Association (WCMA). The Safety Standards were approved on September 3, 2010, under procedures of
the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Copies are available at http://www.wcmanet.org/wcmastandard.html
2. What window
coverings are
affected?
The scope of ANSI/WCMA
A100.1-2010 (PS2) includes all
corded window coverings:
“Window covering products
covered include cellular shades,
horizontal blinds, pleated shades,
roll-up blinds, roller shades,
roman style shades, traverse rods,
and vertical blinds, and stock and
custom products” (Section 1.3).
Honeycomb Shades
Horizontal Blinds
Pleated Shades
Roll-up Shades
Roller Shades
Roman Style Shades
Traverse Rods
Vertical Blinds
3. What if I sell a window covering from a manufacturer who is not in compliance?
You may have noticed that several of the recent recalls were conducted by retailers, not the manufacturer. The
Consumer Products Safety Commission has authority to seek to require manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to
conduct recalls. Similarly, product liability risks may apply to any product seller in the distribution chain.
©2010 B&W Window Fashions
4. When are the new Safety Standards effective?
The new Safety Standards were approved for publication on September 3, 2010. Through a corrective action
plan proposed by the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC), member companies agreed that, beginning
December 3, 2010, all newly manufactured shades will comply with ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2010(PS2). The U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC) accepted that plan in December 2009.
5. What are the potential repercussions for non-compliance?
Product safety is a shared obligation and a core value. Further, companies face product liability risks if a window
covering is found to be defective and causes injury to a child, and non-compliant firms may face the prospect of a product
recall. The CPSC -- the government agency charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury
or death from over 15,000 types of consumer products -- has the authority to seek to require recalls of non-compliant
window coverings even if there have been no injuries. Indeed, on November 10, 2010, the CPSC announced the recall of
495,000 window coverings deemed to “present a serious risk of strangulation to young children.”1 It was in connection
with those recalls that the CPSC accepted the commitment of the WCSC member companies to comply with ANSI/
WCMA A100.1-2010 (PS2).
1 http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10077.html#table
6. What are the new Roman Shade guidelines
that were added to the Safety Standards?
Sections 4.5 & 4.6 and appendixes C & D outline very specific
requirements and testing for all Roman style shades to help
prevent cords on these shades from forming a hazardous loop. In
summary, these sections include standardized testing devices and
test criteria. Fabricators can build or purchase their own testing
devices according to the precise plans in the Safety Standards and/
or have their shades tested by an independent lab. In one test,
the device pulls the rear cord of a Roman shade with 5 pounds of
tension or until a distance of 25 inches is created, and then a probe
the size of a child’s head is inserted into the formed loop with 10
pounds of lateral force. In order to pass, the shade must not allow
the formation of a loop through which the head probe may pass.
(Please see the referenced sections of the Safety Standards for
details of the test criteria.)
“Hazardous Loop Test Head Probe” as
prescribed in Appendix D
of the Safety Standards.
©2010 B&W Window Fashions
“Hazardous Loop Test
Stand Assembly” as
prescribed in Appendix D
of the Safety Standards.
7. What are the requirements for window coverings operated with
a CORD OR CHAIN LOOP?
Among other requirements, the Safety Standards indicate that a cord tension device should be attached to the cord or
bead loop. Manufacturers are required to design, place, and ship the tension device so that -- “unless properly installed or
altered from the shipping condition with sequential process or tools, it prevents the window covering from operating.” When not
properly installed, the tension device must “at least partially prevent the lift system from moving the window covering through
lowering and raising.” (Section 6.5.1 and 6.5.2). Therefore, the Safety Standards would, for example, preclude the use of a
P-Clip which does not even have to be installed.
8. What are the requirements for window coverings
DRAWN WITH AN OPERATING CORD?
If a window covering is designed with a draw cord for operation, the manufacturer has several choices: separate
operating cords (Section 4.3.2), a cord release device (Section 4.3.3), a retraction device (Section 4.3.4), a shear device
(Section 4.3.5), a shroud device (Section 4.3.6), a tension device (Section 4.3.7) or a cord connector (Section 4.3.8). Each of
these devices is defined with specific requirements in the Safety Standards.
Examples of cord
retaining devices
that are no longer
compliant:
A simple
P-Clip is not
enough to
satisfy the
requirements
of Section 6.5.
Cord Cleats are no
longer a prescribed
option to reduce the
hazard posed by an
exposed operating cord.
9. What other requirements are in the Safety Standards?
ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2010 (PS2) includes requirements pertaining to lead content (Section 4.1), devices intended to
separate from the product (Section 4.2), labeling and operational tags (Section 5.1 – 5.4), as well as specific definitions and
ENTS
TAG
AND OPERATION
5. LABELING
testing
methods
forALall
ofREQUIREM
the devices
mentioned.
with cords that are accessible,
5.1 Labeling Manufacturers shall provide, on all window covering products
warning labels and hang tags
warnings about the potential dangers of these products to young children. All
in both English and Spanish. If
provided
be
shall
and
B),
Appendix
(see
shall adhere to ANSI Z535 standards
labels, only one set of
a single long label containing both languages is used instead of two separate
Some people may feel that there are too many warning tags and labels on window coverings. However, these tags
is required.
pictograms
and
labels
are part of the Safety Standards,
and they are there to help protect the end consumer. Every5.2.9
installer
should
in English and
Roll-Up Style Shade
5.1.1 Generic Warning Bottom Rail Label(s) The signal word (“warning”
not less than 5/16" (8 mm) in
measuring
letters
all uppercase
shall be in
in Spanish)
know“advertencia”
to leave
these
tags
on
for
the
end
consumer.
The
Safety
Standards
have
specific
labeling
requirements,
which
are to the lower most sectio
be attached
must
tag
This warning
surrounding an
height and preceded by an ANSI safety alert symbol (an equilateral triangle
shade product that has accessible cord(s) and be visible fro
The rest of the warning message text shall be in both
least the same size.
of at
point)a
exclamation in
addressed
9-page
section
of
the
Safety
Standards
(Section
5).
installation.
measuring not less than
uppercase and lowercase letters (sentence capitalization), with capital letters
also include a
1/8 in. (3 mm) (English) or 3/32 in. (2 mm) (Spanish). The warning label shall
symbol (circle with a
pictogram of a young child’s hand reaching for a blind cord, with a prohibition
to all products with
affixed
permanently
be
shall
label
The
pictogram.
the
covering
diagonal slash)
in a color that
printed
and
blind,
accessible cords. The label shall be placed on the bottom rail of the
shall be placed in an
contrasts the bottom rail color. For products without bottom rails, the label
that is visible
importer,
or
manufacturer
the
by
alternative location on the product, to be determined
to the consumers. The generic warning label(s) shall read as follows:
5.2.3 Tension Device Hang Tag (attach to tension device)
WARNING
ADVERTENCIA
Cords and bead chains can loop around a child’s
neck and STRANGLE.
WARNING
ADVERTENCIA
Always keep cords and bead chains out of
children’s reach.
Move furniture away from cords and bead
chains. Children can climb furniture to get
to cords.
Las cuerdas y cadenas pueden envolverse
alrededor del cuello de un niño y
ESTRANGULARLO.
Mantenga siempre las cadenas y cuerdas
fuera del alcanse de los niños.
Mueva los muebles lejos de las cuerdas y
cadenas. Los niños pueden subirse a los
muebles para llegar a las cuerdas.
label of
5.1.1.1 Generic Warning Bottom Rail Label for Narrow Product A warning
where space
reduced size may be used only on product less than 18" in. (457 mm) width
in
limitations prevent the use of label(s) described in 5.1.1 The signal word (“warning”
not less
English and “advertencia” in Spanish) shall be in all uppercase letters measuring
triangle
than 5/32" (4 mm) and preceded by an ANSI safety alert symbol (an equilateral
warning message
surrounding an exclamation point) of at least the same size. The rest of the
with capital
text shall be in both uppercase and lowercase letters (sentence capitalization),
include a
letters measuring not less than 1/16" (2 mm). The warning label shall also
symbol
prohibition
a
with
cord,
pictogram of a young child’s hand reaching for a blind
affixed
(circle with a diagonal slash) covering the pictogram. The label shall be permanently
of the
rail
bottom
the
on
placed
be
shall
label
The
to all products with accessible cords.
without bottom
blind, and printed in a color that contrasts the bottom rail color. For products
Young children can STRANGLE in cord and bead
chain loops. They can also wrap cords around
their necks and STRANGLE.
Always keep cords and bead chains out of
children’s reach.
Move cribs, playpens, and other furniture
away from cords and bead chains. Children
can climb furniture to get to cords.
Attach tension device to wall or floor. This
can prevent children from pulling cords and
bead chains around their necks.
Los niños pequeños corren el riesgo de
ESTRANGULARSE en los lazos de las cuerdas y
cadenas. También se pueden envolver las cuerdas
alrededor del cuello y ESTRANGULARSE.
Mantenga siempre las cuerdas y cadenas fuera
del alcance de los niños.
Mueva las cunas, los corrales y otros muebles
lejos de las cuerdas y cadenas. Los niños
pueden subirse a los muebles para llegar a las
cuerdas.
Coloque el dispositivo tensor en la pared o en
el piso. Ello puede evitar que los niños estiren
las cuerdas y cadenas, colocándoselas
alrededor del cuello.
5.2.4 Cord Retraction Device
WARNING
ADVERTENCIA
©2010 B&W Window Fashions
Young children can STRANGLE in cord and bead
chain loops. They can also wrap cords around
their necks and STRANGLE.
Los niños pequeños corren el riesgo de
ESTRANGULARSE en los lazos de las cuerdas y
cadenas. También se pueden envolver las cuerdas
alrededor del cuello y ESTRANGULARSE.
10. What is B&W Window Fashions doing to ensure all its
products comply with the new roman style shade safety
requirements?
B&W has developed a patent pending Safety Sleeve™ that completely encases and
secures the rear cords of Roman shades. This prevents the rear cords from pulling
out and forming a hazardous loop.
The Safety Sleeves™ are being used on all B&W roman shades including
Horizons™ Natural Woven Shades, Shades of Elegance™ Roman Shades and
Horizons™ Soft Treatments Fabric Roman Shades.
The Safety Sleeves™ are sleek and color coordinated to maintain the attractive
appearance of B&W products from the street view.
B&W Window Fashions tests its shades using equipment compliant with ANSI/
WCMA A100.1-2010 (PS2). Moreover, samples of all products have also been tested
and deemed compliant by an independent testing lab.
Shown here, a B&W Window Fashions
engineer tests its patent pending
Safety Sleeve™ with the latest ANSI/
WCMA designed testing equipment.
11. What is B&W Window Fashions doing to ensure all its
products comply with cord and loop safety requirements?
In order to ensure complete compliance with the Safety Standards (Sections 4.3.3 &
Section 6.5), all UpRight™ shades have attached spring tension devices.
In addition to child safety, clients also demand fashion and ease of use. B&W’s
newest cord tension devices are designed to do all three.
Shades with draw cords are made in compliance with Sections 4.3.2 and 4.3.8 of the
Safety Standards.
Because not every
shade is white, B&W’s
cord tension devices
will soon be offered in
seven colors.
Sleek design and color coordination
make B&W’s newest cord tension
device as inconspicuous as possible.
12. What about B&W’s other products?
Each type of window covering in the entire B&W collection has been evaluated and tested to ensure complete compliance
with the new Safety Standards. We also offer several truly cordless options such as the innovative Averté Natural Fold™,
Shades of Elegance™ Roller Shades and motorized roller shades. Soft shades in B&W’s popular Laminates Collection are
now available on a cordless spring roller.
©2010 B&W Window Fashions
Can all of your suppliers
affirmatively answer
these 9 questions?
1. Do they have a copy of ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2010 (PS2)?
2. Do they know that the new Safety Standards apply to ALL corded
window coverings?
3. Do they have the “Hazardous Loop Test Stand Assembly” to test their
own window coverings?
4. Do they have the “Hazardous Loop Test Head Probe” to test their own
window coverings?
5. Have they verified testing with an independent laboratory?
6. Which of the prescribed methods in Section 4.3 are they using for their
draw cords?
7. Do their cord loop tension devices prevent the window covering from
operating when not properly installed as described in Section 6.5?
8. Are their products properly tagged and labeled?
9. Do their products comply with 100% of the applicable standards in
ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2010 (PS2)?
Safety is a shared responsibility.
Help reduce risk to
consumers and
your business!
©2010 B&W Window Fashions
B&W Window Fashions
Your Source for Unique Window Fashions!
1705 Waukegan Road • Waukegan, Illinois 60085
Phone: 800-858-2352
www.HorizonShades.com
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WINDOW COVERINGS
SAFETY STANDARDS
What every business needs to know