Canada – Corded Window Coverings Regulations SOR/2019-97 Approved

Vol. 1080 | 07 May 2019

Health Canada has approved Corded Window Coverings (CWCs) Regulations SOR/2019-97, which will enter into force on May 1, 2021. This also repeals the current Corded Window Covering Products Regulation (CWCPR) SOR/2016-172.

Corded windows coverings must meet the physical, chemical and labelling requirements specified in this Regulations from May 1, 2021:

1. Physical requirements – corded windows coverings must comply with the requirements of small parts and cord length. The main requirements are as follows:
   1. Small parts: Every part of a corded window covering that is accessible to a child and can fit inside a small part cylinder shall not become detached when it is subjected to a force of 90 N applied in any direction.
   2. Unreachable cords: A cord that is not reachable shall remain so, whether the corded window covering is fully opened, fully closed or in any position in between, throughout the useful life of the corded window covering.
   3. Reachable cord with one free end: A reachable cord with one free end shall not exceed 22 cm in length when it is pulled in any direction by the gradual application of force attaining 35 N.
   4. Reachable cord between two consecutive contact points: A reachable cord with no free end shall not exceed 22 cm in length between two consecutive contact points when it is pulled in any direction by the gradual application of force attaining 35 N.
   5. Loop created by a reachable cord: If a reachable cord is pulled in any direction by the gradual application of force attaining 35 N, the perimeter of any loop, whether it is existing, created or enlarged, shall not exceed 44 cm.
   6. Two reachable cords: If two reachable cords with one free end each can be connected to one another, end to end, after each has been pulled in any direction by the gradual application of force attaining 35 N, the length of the resulting cord shall not exceed 22 cm and the perimeter of the loop that is created shall not exceed 44 cm.
2. Chemical requirements:
   Every external component of a corded window covering must not contain more than 90 mg/kg of lead.
3. Labelling requirements:
   This regulation requires corded window coverings to carry general information; instructions for assembly, installation and operation; and warnings. The information must be in both English and French, be legible and conspicuous, and the information required on the corded window covering be indelibly printed on the corded window covering itself or on a label that is permanently affixed to it. Specific requirements as well as the warnings can be found in the regulations.

Following are the definitions in the regulations:

Cord means any of the following:

1. a band, rope, strap, string, chain, wire or any other component that, when any tension is removed, is capable of folding in every direction; or
2. any combination of components that are connected end to end that, when any tension is removed, is capable of folding in every direction.

Corded window covering means an indoor window covering that is equipped with at least one cord.

The Regulations can be reviewed in the Canada Gazette Part II at: http://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2019/2019-05-01/html/sor-dors97-eng.html

For questions, please contact Laxmi Ravikumar (laxmi.ravikumar@intertek.com, +1-630-209-9265), Pratik Ichhaporia (pratik.ichhaporia@intertek.com, +1-847-212-8273) or Carl Tso (carl.tso@intertek.com, 852 3760 6364).