New Enforcement of Corded Window Covering RegulationsAs of May 1, Health Canada will be increasing compliance monitoring and enforcement around the requirements for the import and sale of corded window coverings. The increased enforcement is intended to help eliminate strangulation hazards for small children associated with window covering cords.
Every year, on average, one child in Canada dies from strangulation caused by the cord from a window covering. In May 2021, new regulations were set out in the Corded Window Coverings Regulations (CWCR) under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA).
Because the new regulations were introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic when many businesses were facing additional challenges and disruptions, Health Canada decided to focus on promoting awareness and compliance for a period of one year before beginning proactive enforcement activities. In May 2022, Health Canada will shift their focus to compliance verification.
The new regulations apply to any indoor window covering that is equipped with at least one cord. Importers must be able to provide evidence that their goods comply with the regulations on request. These regulations include requirements for warning labels and instructions, lead content, and small parts safety, as well as restricting the length of reachable cords and the size of loops that can be created by a cord. Reachable cords with one free end must not exceed 22 cm in length, and cords with no free ends must not exceed 22 cm between contact points. If a covering has two cords with free ends that can be connected to each other, the length of the resulting cord must not exceed 22 cm. A reachable cord pulled in any direction must not be able to form a loop that exceeds 44 cm in diameter. All corded window coverings must display required warning labels and manufacture information in both English and French.
According to Health Canada, the new regulations “go further than those of any other country in addressing the risk of strangulation to children.” Health Canada will begin conducting inspections of establishments that sell window coverings this May, and it is likely that imports of corded window coverings will be subject to additional scrutiny. Importers are strongly advised to make sure any products they purchase conform to the new requirements before the goods are shipped to Canada.
The full text of the corded window coverings regulations is available online here
As of May 1, Health Canada will be increasing compliance monitoring and enforcement around the requirements for the import and sale of corded window coverings. The increased enforcement is intended to help eliminate strangulation hazards for small children associated with window covering cords.
Every year, on average, one child in Canada dies from strangulation caused by the cord from a window covering. In May 2021, new regulations were set out in the Corded Window Coverings Regulations (CWCR) under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA).
Because the new regulations were introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic when many businesses were facing additional challenges and disruptions, Health Canada decided to focus on promoting awareness and compliance for a period of one year before beginning proactive enforcement activities. In May 2022, Health Canada will shift their focus to compliance verification.
The new regulations apply to any indoor window covering that is equipped with at least one cord. Importers must be able to provide evidence that their goods comply with the regulations on request. These regulations include requirements for warning labels and instructions, lead content, and small parts safety, as well as restricting the length of reachable cords and the size of loops that can be created by a cord. Reachable cords with one free end must not exceed 22 cm in length, and cords with no free ends must not exceed 22 cm between contact points. If a covering has two cords with free ends that can be connected to each other, the length of the resulting cord must not exceed 22 cm. A reachable cord pulled in any direction must not be able to form a loop that exceeds 44 cm in diameter. All corded window coverings must display required warning labels and manufacture information in both English and French.
According to Health Canada, the new regulations “go further than those of any other country in addressing the risk of strangulation to children.” Health Canada will begin conducting inspections of establishments that sell window coverings this May, and it is likely that imports of corded window coverings will be subject to additional scrutiny. Importers are strongly advised to make sure any products they purchase conform to the new requirements before the goods are shipped to Canada.
The full text of the corded window coverings regulations is available online here
