Have questions about how the new safety standards will affect existing window coverings at your facility? Get in touch below, or read on for more information.
What is the new safety standard for window coverings?
When does the new standard take effect?
Do I need to retrofit or replace existing window coverings?
What is the new safety standard for window coverings?
The new safety standard — ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2022 Standard for Window Covering Products — was developed by the Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). It’s designed to enhance the safety of window coverings with cords that can be dangerous to children.
Under this new standard, window coverings operated with continuous loop cords or bead chains, like manual solar shades and horizontal or vertical blinds, must be manufactured with a tensioned hold-down device that partially disables the product if not installed correctly.
All major window coverings manufacturers, including Mecho, SWF Contract, and Draper, are members of WCMA and are participating in the new standard.
When does the new standard take effect?
All products manufactured on or after June 1, 2024 must comply with the new standard. After this date, only ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2022 compliant window coverings products will be available for purchase from dealers of participating manufacturers.
Do I need to retrofit or replace existing window coverings?
The updated safety standard was developed to prevent more potentially-dangerous products from being sold and installed in facilities around the country.
Replacing existing window coverings is not obligatory under this standard, nor is the updated standard a new law. However, it's important to consider that noncompliance with the latest safety standards may pose a liability risk in the event of an incident related to the continuous-loop components of existing window coverings.
In some cases, existing window coverings may be retrofitted, while some may be need to be replaced to meet the new compliance standards.
If you have additional questions about compliance with the new standards, as well as options for retrofitting or replacing existing window coverings with new standards-compliant products, get in touch below for a free consultation with a member of our team.
