The following is provided by Health Canada’s Consumer Product Safety Program.
In Canada, there have been many reports of strangulation deaths and near-fatal incidents caused by blinds and window coverings with long accessible cords. To help eliminate this hazard and address the safety of products sold in Canada, the Government introduced the Corded Window Coverings Regulations(the Regulations). Requirements under these Regulations will help eliminate the strangulation hazard with a goal of reducing the rate of injuries and fatal strangulations associated with corded window coverings.
The Regulations came into force on May 1, 2021. Industry is required to comply with these Regulations. In response to the disruption associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, Health Canada exercised regulatory flexibility by prioritizing compliance promotion with the Regulations over enforcement during the first 12 months after the coming-into-force of the Regulations, from May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022.
Health Canada is sharing a new resource, called the “Information Sheet on Canada’s Corded Window Coverings Regulations”. This document can be shared with consumers to provide messaging on blind and window covering safety, as well as information on the new regulatory requirements and their impact on products available on the Canadian market.
For more information, please see Blind and window covering safety.