Strangulation is a form of asphyxia that can be partial (hypoxia), when there is an inadequate oxygen supply to the lungs, or total, when there is complete impairment of oxygen transport to tissues. Retailers often suggest in-home measuring and evaluation to estimate the price for custom-designed products, because non-standard sizes or non-standard window shapes, or motorized lift systems can require professional installation. Register, and does not replace the official print version or the official [31] Technologies to address hazardous window covering cords are also known and utilized on stock products. The outer sheath is tightly braided around an inner core, thus producing a firm smooth venetian or vertical blind cord for lifting or pulling purposes. Figure 12 presents the distribution of the pull cord-related fatalities by the common modes of entanglement. Fax: (+27) 36 352 2898 Estimated Burden: 1 Shade Pull Cord Plastic Condenser White or Alabaster } var site = "http://www.repairmyshade.com"; [1] (ii) (4) View Cart In addition, the functioning of the carotid sinuses may be affected by compression of the blood vessels. 601-612) requires that the agency prepare an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) that describes the impact that the rule would have on small businesses and other entities, unless the agency has a factual basis for certifying that the proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.[36] However, public awareness is a crucial component in making safe purchasing decisions and safely using window coverings at home. The Commission solicits comments on the proposed test methods set forth in the proposed regulatory text. documents in the last year, 913 The estimated annual cost of the information collection requirements to the federal government is approximately $4,172, which includes 60 staff hours to examine and evaluate the information as needed for Compliance activities. section at the beginning of this notice. The ANPR initiated a rulemaking proceeding under the CPSA. The cost impacts of a rule on operating cords for custom window coverings vary by product type. Based on discussion in the Commission's proposed rule on stock window covering cords (Proposed rule to Amend 16 CFR part 1120, CPSC Docket No. Available in a wide range of colors. After receiving written and oral comments, CPSC staff must have time to review and evaluate those comments. A rigid cord shroud is not currently defined in the standard but is a hard material that encases an operating cord to prevent a child from accessing an operating cord. 0.9mm | 1.2mm | Section 4.3.1 of ANSI/WCMA-2018 sets forth the performance requirements for operating cords on stock window coverings ( Thus, the stockpiling limit would allow manufacturers and the industry to meet any foreseeable increase in the demand for custom window coverings, without allowing large quantities of custom window coverings to be stockpiled. (3) operating cords shorter than 8 inches in any use position (section 4.3.1.2). Given the potential for large costs for some products to conform per unit to the proposed rule, delaying the effective date would be expected to reduce costs. Stock window coverings that comply with ANSI/WCMA-2018 are available in both soft and hard types, and implementation of safer window covering technologies has been proven for both types of window coverings. all Table 4Child's Interaction Scenario in Incidents Associated With Custom Products. N. Marcy, G. Rutherford. (3) Measure the maximum deflection of the shroud, while the 5-pound force is applied. Promulgation means the date the final rule is published in the At least two commenters suggested that off-the-shelf window coverings carry higher risks, because consumers install many window coverings incorrectly. In 2020, three manufacturers accounted for almost 38 percent of dollar sales in the U.S. window coverings market (Euromonitor 2021a). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) defines product codes for United States firms. Video capturing a child's entanglement in the cords at The Commission seeks comments on the estimated strangulations by window coverings. In Figure 14, the accessibility probe cannot touch the operating cord because it is surrounded by the cord shroud. (2) The Commission considered relying on voluntary recalls, compliance with the voluntary standard, and education campaigns, rather than issuing a mandatory standard. In 4 incidents, staff confirmed that a tension device was not installed. oira_submission@omb.eop.gov. proposed revision. Section 9(f) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. i.e., To comply with the performance requirements, all accessible operating cords would need to be removed, made inaccessible, or shortened to 8 inches or less in any use position. However, as observed in the incident data, a child can still insert his/her head into the continuous loop if it is not taut enough; in addition, as explained in Tab I of Staff's NPR Briefing Package, and in section II.C of this preamble, tension devices may not be attached to the wall, which results in a free loop on the product. However, the Commission does not consider the operating cord requirements for custom window coverings in the standard adequate to address the risk of injury, because the voluntary standard still allows accessible and hazardous operating cords to be present on custom products. CPSC concludes that ANSI/WCMA-2018 adequately addresses the strangulation hazard posed by accessible operating cords on stock window covering products, because the standard either eliminates accessible operating cords, or limits the length of the cord so that it is too short for a child to strangle. 16. 12 = FeetExample of a 3 Cord Shade,The Width of your Shade is 72 InchesThe Length of your Shade is 48 inchesThe Length of your Lift Cord is 36 inches(This is the cord you raise & lower your blind)You can make it longer if needed. Start Printed Page 1041 ANSI/WCMA-2018 provides these examples to clarify that, as long as the product is substantially fabricated, subsequent changes to the product do not change its categorization from stock to custom.. Table 3 demonstrates the operating cord systems allowed on custom window coverings that are not allowed on stock window coverings in ANSI/WCMA-2018. The proposed rule to require operating cords on custom window coverings to comply with the same requirements for operating cords on stock window coverings, as set forth in section 4.3.1 of ANSI/WCMA-2018, is not expected to have an adverse impact on the environment and is considered to fall within the categorical exclusion for the purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act. If operating cords on custom window coverings must comply with the proposed rule, consumers will still have affordable window covering options. The Commission could narrow the proposed rule to address only the hazards associated with operating cords on custom vertical blinds, curtains, and drapes, on the grounds that cords are not critical to the operation of these products. e.g., Comment 7: Based on incident data, WCMA's statements, contractor report findings, and staff's examination and testing of window covering products, the Commission preliminarily determines that a substantial majority of window coverings sold in the United States comply with the readily observable safety characteristics identified in ANSI/WCMA-2018. Based on a CPSC review of 194 reported incidents, the proportion of injuries attributable to custom window coverings is approximately $53.9 million annually. The proposed rule only addresses injuries attributable to custom window coverings. (3) Retail prices of custom window coverings vary substantially. Several commenters suggested that children die from interacting with household products other than window covering cords, and some commenters suggested that the risk of strangulation on window covering cords is low. This option would be similar to the no action alternative, with the key difference being that the Commission could direct staff to pursue safety improvements in the voluntary standard, including applying the requirements for operating cords on stock window coverings to custom window coverings, as a conditional alternative to a mandatory standard. Section 7(a) of the CPSA authorizes the Given that many of the window covering incidents occurred on products with at least the permanent label attached on the bottom rail, and the high likelihood that consumers have window coverings in their homes and almost certainly use them daily, and thus have high familiarity, even well-designed warning labels will have limited effectiveness in communicating the hazard on this type of product. We estimate that approximately 512 million custom window coverings are in use in the United States. For this proposed rule, CPSC staff developed a similar test method based on the ANSI task group work. daily Federal Register on FederalRegister.gov will remain an unofficial Julius Koch is one of the world's leading manufacturers, suppliers, and exporters of high quality lift cords for blinds. Staff expects small importers to bear similar costs as small manufacturers, but staff is unclear whether the impact will be significant. Custom window coverings that already meet the voluntary standard would continue to serve the purpose of covering windows in consumers' homes. Comment 12: Installed base data for window covering products does not differentiate between custom or stock products. honeycomb shades, pleated shade. operate it with a power grip instead of a pinch grip (Figure 20). of the ANPR for corded window coverings. If finalized, operating cords on custom window coverings would require testing and certification to the rule under section 14 of the CPSA. 07/29/2022, 48 Staff analyzed the incident data, which indicated that the largest proportion of deaths, irrespective of window covering type, involved operating cords (most frequently tangled or knotted cords, followed by cord(s) wrapped around the child's neck). Customer Login. Available at (4) A user research study found a lack of awareness on cord entanglement among caregivers, lack of awareness of the speed and mechanism of the injury; difficulty using and installing safety devices as primary reasons for not using them; and inability to recognize the purpose of the safety devices provided with window coverings. for better understanding how a document is structured but Small plastic washers. Start Printed Page 1016 Response 11: Most manufacturers recommend lithium-ion batteries for use in their systems, due to the increased temperature level around window coverings. The strangulation hazard is a hidden hazard, because many people do not understand or appreciate the hazard, and do not take appropriate steps to prevent death and injury. Divide this by 36 to convert to yards. The Commission believes that adherence to the requirements of the proposed rule will significantly reduce or eliminate a hidden hazard, strangulation deaths and injuries to children 8 years old and younger, in the future; thus, the rule is in the public interest. Cord Sizing Formula. ANSI published a revision to the window coverings standard, ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2018, on January 8, 2018. If you cannot find the size code information on your window please use the table below to match your visible glass size to find the correct size code for you window: ** Please note, it rare but possible to have a new LUCTIS window with an old style grey handle. An example operating cord is pictured in Figure 8 of this preamble. Even well-designed warning labels will have limited effectiveness in communicating the hazard on this type of product. The research objective was to provide CPSC with systematic and objective data on the factors that impact installation, use, and maintenance of window covering safety devices; assess how these factors impact the likelihood of correct installation, use, and maintenance; and identify how the factors relate to the goal of reducing children's access to hazardous cords and loops on window coverings. An exact number of recalled products was not stated in the recall announcements. Because the operating cord is replaced with a wand, the strangulation hazard is completely removed. The Commission has several bases to determine preliminarily that window coverings substantially comply with the requirements for operating cords in ANSI/WCMA-2018. documents in the last year, 1384 WCMA developed a certification program for window covering products, titled Best for Kids, which includes third party testing of products for accessible cords. In 2007, the published ANSI standard required that tension devices partially limit the consumer's ability to control the blind if the tension device is not properly installed. Canada's regulation also requires that all window coverings meet one of the following conditions: et al.,[13] As discussed in section V of this preamble, and in Tab K of Staff's NPR Briefing Package, the preliminary regulatory analysis estimates the cost to modify window covering lift systems with the proposed rule ranges from $2.95 to $9.65 per horizontal blind, $2.15 to $34.57 per shade, and no expected cost increase for vertical blinds and curtains/drapes. The proposed rule would require operating cords on custom window coverings to meet identical requirements for operating cords on stock window coverings, as set forth in section 4.3.1 of ANSI/WCMA A100.12018, American National Standard for Safety of Corded Window Covering Products (ANSI/WCMA-2018). Copyright 2020 | National Braiding Industries. Degree and Nature of the Risk of Injury, B.
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