Government to introduce safety standards for corded window coverings

Loose cords on window coverings such as roller blinds, Roman blinds and slatted blinds are dangerous for young children who can get tangled in them. Tragically, since 2008, 8 young children have died in New Zealand from strangulation by the cord of a window covering.

Under these changes, it will be mandatory for new corded window coverings sold in New Zealand to meet one of 4 internationally recognised safety standards – those used in Australia, Canada, the European Union and the United States. Each of these standards has been designed to remove or mitigate the hazards associated with these products, making them safer.

Once the standards are in place, products will need to meet certain safety measures. This could involve additional warning labels to clearly identify the risks, shorter cords, or components sold with the item so parents and caregivers can affix any loose cords to the wall and out of reach.

MBIE will now work through the final scope and design of the standards, which will be made under the Fair Trading Act. Final details will be available in due course. Once the standards have been made, there will be a 1-year transition period to ensure businesses have time to prepare for the changes.

More information

Corded blind safety

Anyone with existing corded window coverings can find information on MBIE’s Product Safety website about how to replace these products or use safety devices to keep cords out of reach of young children.

Blinds and window shades with cords(external link) — Product Safety

Read the Government’s press release:

Corded blinds to be made safer for children(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz