Competition and Consumer (Corded Internal Window Coverings)

Safety Standard 2014

Competition and Consumer Act 2010

I, Bruce Billson, Minister for Small Business, make the following safety standard under subsection 104 (1) of the Australian Consumer Law, set out in Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

(Dated)   20 March 2014

1.   Name of safety standard

This safety standard is the Competition and Consumer (Corded Internal

Window Coverings) Safety Standard 2014.

2. Commencement

This safety standard commences on 1 January 2015.

3.      Purpose

This safety standard sets out mandatory installation requirements for corded

internal window coverings.

4.      Application

This safety standard applies to the installation of corded internal window

coverings in domestic dwellings other than:

 (a) caravans; and

 (b) mobile homes; and

 (c) boats.

5.      Definitions

In this safety standard:

cleat means a device that has a bar with arms around which a cord can be

wound, and that can be attached to a wall or other structure.

cord means a rope, strap, string, chain, line or wire used to manipulate a

corded internal window covering.

corded internal window covering means:

 (a) a window covering, such as a curtain or blind; or

 (b) fittings used with a window covering, such as a traverse rod or track;

that can be used inside a building and has a cord.

cord guide means a device designed to retract, tension or secure a cord.

retail packaging means the packaging in which a corded internal window

covering is supplied when it is offered for retail sale.

6.      Installation of corded internal window coverings

 (1) A corded internal window covering must be installed:

  (a) in such a way that a loose cord cannot form a loop 220 mm or

     longer at less than 1,600 mm above floor level; and

  (b) using any components specified in the installation instructions as

     necessary to meet requirements for cord safety.

 (2) A corded internal window covering must also be installed in accordance

with:

  (a) the installation instructions on any retail packaging for the covering;

    and

 (b) other information provided in the installation instructions about how to

install the corded internal window covering for the purpose of ensuring

that a loose cord cannot form a loop as described in paragraph (1) (a).

 (3) No part of a cord guide may be installed lower than 1,600 mm above floor

level unless:

  (a) the cord guide will remain firmly attached to a wall or other structure

     specified in the installation instructions when subjected to a tension

     force of 70 N applied in any direction for 10 seconds; and

  (b) the cord is sufficiently secured or tensioned to prevent the formation of

           a loop 220 mm or longer.

  (4) A cleat used to secure a cord must be installed at least 1,600 mm above

floor level.

7.      Labelling requirements

(1)   A person installing a corded internal window covering must:

  (a) attach a label to the corded window covering containing the name and

contact details of the person or company responsible for the

installation; and

  (b) ensure that any warning label or swing tag supplied with the corded

internal window covering remains attached to the cord.