New Regulations for Corded Window Coverings Published in Canada

Health Canada issues new regulations for corded window coverings – SOR/2019-97 – which will come into effect on May 1, 2021. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) June 01, 2019 - Health Canada has published SOR/2016-172, a new regulation for corded window coverings. Released on May 1, 2019, it strengthens the requirements related to this product to eliminate the strangulation hazard and protect children.

‘Window coverings’ are defined as an interior covering that incorporates a bead chain, cord other form of flexible looped device to allow its operation. SOR/2016-172 covers both off-the-shelf and bespoke versions of the product and it includes specification requirements for:
• Small parts
• Lead content
• Unreachable cords
• Length of reachable cord with one free end
• Length of cord between two consecutive contact points
• Loop perimeter created by reachable cord
• Length and loop perimeter of two reachable cords

SOR/2016-172 also includes the following requirements relating to information and advertising:
• Must not refer to Canada Consumer Product Safety Act or the Regulations
• Product and packaging must display:
o Model name or number
o Date of manufacture, i.e. year and month or week (in this order)
o Name and address of manufacturer, if produced in Canada
o Name and address of manufacturer and importer, if imported
• Products must contain instruction containing:
o Assembly instruction and parts list, if not sold fully assembled
o Installation and operation instructions
• Product, packaging, instructions and advertising must have the following warning or its equivalent:
WARNING
STRANGULATION HAZARD — Young children can be strangled by cords. Immediately remove this product if a cord longer than 22 cm or a loop exceeding 44 cm around becomes accessible.

MISE EN GARDE
RISQUE D’ÉTRANGLEMENT — Les enfants en bas âge peuvent s’étrangler avec des cordes. Enlevez immédiatement ce produit si une corde mesurant plus de 22 cm devient accessible ou si le contour d’une boucle de plus de 44 cm devient accessible.

• All information required by the regulations must be:
o In English and French
o Legible and prominently and clearly displayed. Characters must be in sharply contrasting color with the background
o Legible and visible throughout the useful life of the corded window covering under normal conditions for transportation, storage, sale and use
o Indelibly printed on the corded window cover itself or on a label that is permanently affixed to it
o Printed in a standard sans-serif type that is not compressed, expanded or decorative and has a large x-height relative to the ascender or descender of the type
o The signal words “Warning” and “Mise en Garde” must be boldfaced, uppercase type not less than 5 mm height
o Type height of all other required information must be minimum of 2.5 mm

Stakeholders should be aware SOR/2019-97 replaces and repeals SOR/2016-172. It will come into effect on May 1, 2021.

SGS Home Furnishings & Houseware Services
SGS’s technical experts have extensive experience of testing houseware materials and articles. They can ensure that your products meet the appropriate global regulations and pave the way for compliance. SGS offers the full range of testing, along with expert advice on emerging regulations, compliance issues and documentation review. Learn more about SGS’s Home Furnishings & Houseware Services >> [link to: http://www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail/hardgoods/home-furnishings-and-houseware]

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Health Canada Publishes New Corded Window Coverings Regulations SafeGuardS. [www.sgs.com/en/news/2019/05/safeguards-06719-health-canada-publishes-new-corded-window-coverings-regulations]

Subscribe here, www.sgs.com/subscribesg, to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Dennis Lancion
Technical Manager (Hardlines)
Tel: +1 (905) 364-3757
Email: crs.media ( @ ) sgs dot com
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines
LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 97,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

###

space

Other Related Press Releases