After years of delays and despite intense lobbying by manufacturers, a federal safety agency finally adopted a window covering rule that eliminated the dangers from cords on custom window coverings in November 2022.
However, almost immediately after the Consumer Product Safety Commission finalized the rule, the Window Covering Manufacturers Association filed a lawsuit challenging the agency’s rule, arguing that it didn’t substantively advance child safety.
In September 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated the CPSC’s rule and sent the issue back to the agency.
“The deadly designs of custom products are identical to the corded stock products [the] industry eliminated in 2018,” said Linda Kaiser, founder of Parents for Window Blind Safety, a group dedicated to improving children’s product safety.
The percentage of the custom online market is growing larger every year making it more affordable, Kaiser said.
“Every blind that is produced today will remain in American homes for many years to come, perpetuating the hazard,” she said.
About nine children 8 years old and younger die every year from window coverings with long, hazardous cords.
