SGS: New regulation in Canada aimed at reducing the rate of fatal strangulations associated with corded window coverings

SGS: New regulation in Canada aimed at reducing the rate of fatal strangulations associated with corded window coverings

The proposed Corded Window Coverings Regulations which is under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) was published in Part 1 of Canada Gazette dated June 17, 2017. This proposed regulation is currently out for review. Comments and feedback is due no later than August 31, 2017.

GENEVA, 22-Aug-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — On 17 June, 2017 Health Canada and the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) proposed the Corded Window Coverings Regulations, aimed at reducing the rate of fatal strangulations associated with corded window coverings, these regulations would establish construction, performance and labelling requirements. Health Canada, who believes these regulations are the next step in their effort, to inform the public of the dangers inherent to these products. The public awareness campaign urges consumers to replace old products sooner than the full lifespan of the product, while remaining vigilant that many corded window covering products on the market today pose a risk of injury or death to young children.

The proposed regulations would:

• restrict the length of cords that can be reached and the size of loops that can be created to help eliminate the risk of strangulation; and
• require a warning on the product that states that the product should be disposed of if a long cord or large loop is ever exposed.
• require that any cord that can be reached must be too short to wrap around the neck of a one-year-old child’s neck (i.e. not more than 22 cm in length) or form a loop that can be pulled over a one-year-old child’s head (i.e. not more than 44 cm in perimeter).
• require cords that cannot be reached to remain unreachable throughout the useful life of the product.

Currently under a 75 day review period from date of publication, once a final regulation is published in Part II of the Canada Gazette there is a 6 months window for window coverings to comply with the final regulation [1].

If you have any questions or would like to have products evaluated, please contact your customer service representative at SGS.

For enquiries, please contact:

Owen Jones
Technical Key Account Manager
479-273-5929

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SOURCE: SGS SA