Discussion paper: Options to address safety risks of corded window coverings 33 pages in English (33 page(s), in English)Corded window coverings, including those under HS 3925.30.

Discussion paper: Options to address safety risks of corded window coverings 33 pages in English (33 page(s), in English)

The New Zealand Government is considering regulating corded window coverings under a product safety standard to address the risk that they pose to young children.

This discussion document seeks feedback on the nature and scale of the problem, the options, benefits, costs and other impacts of the options, and implementation. The feedback from the consultation will be used to inform policy development and advice to Ministers on next steps.

The discussion document seeks feedback on two possible approaches to product safety regulations:

1.    Mandatory design requirements for corded window coverings (similar to Australia Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standard - Corded Internal Window Coverings) Regulations 2010 and Competition and Consumer (Corded Internal Window Coverings) Safety Standard 2014

2.    Prohibiting window coverings with exposed cords (similar to the recently updated 16 CFR 1120 and new regulation under 16 CFR 1260 in the United States. This deems the presence of hazardous window covering cords on stock and custom window coverings, which have been adequately addressed by the voluntary standard for window coverings, ANSI/WCMA A100.1 – 2018, American National Standard for Safety of Corded Window Covering Products (ANSI/WCMA-2018), as a "substantial product hazard," as defined in section 15(a)(2) of the CPSA.).