Updated January 20, 2023
On January 10, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit granted a motion by the Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA) to stay the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) rule, A Safety Standard for Operating Cords on Custom Windows, pending judicial review. The CPSC’s rule will not take effect while the case is pending in the D.C. Circuit.
WCMA Lawsuit Challenging New Rule
WCMA filed a lawsuit on November 30, 2022 against the CPSC challenging the final rule for custom window covering products. The rule did not substantively advance child safety and ignored the fact that safety incidents have steadily declined since the voluntary standard has been in effect. The CPSC also failed to account for the significant cost increase to consumers, the enormous harm that the rule will cause to small businesses, and the large commercial market for custom window coverings, despite the fact that there is no data to suggest those products pose a risk.
WCMA Filed Stay Motion
WCMA filed the stay motion because, among other reasons, the CPSC had adopted a six-month effective date for the rule, which would have eliminated the availability of proven safe products before the industry could develop new products and would delay consumer transition to available safer products. The CPSC staff briefing acknowledged the industry will need at least two years to develop completely new products.
Current Window Covering Safety Standard
The window covering industry will continue to be required to meet the provisions of the current window covering safety standard, ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2018. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recently approved an update to this standard that will require the vast majority of all window covering products sold in the United States to be cordless or to have inaccessible or short cords. The revised updated safety standard strengthens window-covering safety by eliminating the use of free hanging operating cords, free hanging tilt cords, and multiple cord connectors on all made-to-order custom window covering products.
MYL Options for Child-Safe Roman Shades
MYL offers Roman Shades with a 100% cordless operating lift system and the MYL Shield which are good options for homes with young children. We also offer completely blackout Slated Roman Shades that have no goop or patching and the lift cords are not accessible between the lining and face fabric. For a clean presentation from the outside, select one of our color coordination options. Easy Spring and Motorization are also good options.
The Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA) and the Window Coverings Manufacturers Association (WCMA) are keeping the industry informed on updates. We will continue to provide updates as they are available.