NEW CANADIAN CORDED WINDOW COVERING REGULATIONS FOR IMPROVED CHILD SAFETY
- What are the new Canadian window covering regulations?
- When do these new regulations take effect?
- What do these new regulations cover?
- Can I still buy the same types of window coverings as before?
- I am looking for window coverings (e.g. mini blinds, top-down bottom-up shades) which are no longer available on your site. Will I be able to find them anywhere else?
- What if I want to match other blinds I already have in my home, and these blinds are no longer available due to the new regulations?
- What if my windows are too high to raise & lower with a cordless lift system?
- Are the window coverings I see on the site the only ones which will be available from Select Blinds Canada in the future?
- I ordered samples for window coverings that are no longer available. Can I still order them?
- What should I do with the corded window coverings that I already have in my home?
- I have other questions – can you help?
What are the new Canadian window covering regulations?
In order to eliminate strangulation risks to children due to accessible cords, Canada is enforcing new Corded Window Covering Regulations in Canada as of May 1, 2022.While there are many specifics in the new regulations, some of the key changes include the following:
- A reachable cord with one free end must not exceed 22 cm in length when it is pulled in any direction by the gradual application of force attaining 35 N
- A reachable cord with no free end must not exceed 22 cm in length between two consecutive contact points when it is pulled in any direction by the gradual application of force attaining 35 N
- If a reachable cord is pulled in any direction by the gradual application of force attaining 35 N, the perimeter of any loop, whether it is existing, created or enlarged, must not exceed 44 cm
Note that this is just a brief overview of some of the requirements. For more details and specifics on the new Canadian Corded Window Covering Regulations, please click here.
Continuous Cord Loop
Inner cords on Horizontal Blinds
Back cords on Roman and Bamboo Shades
Standard Cord Lift
Top-Down Bottom-Up Inner Cords
When do these new regulations take effect?
These new regulations will be enforced for any window coverings shipped as of May 1st, 2022.You will see product changes on the National Interiors website as of April 11th, since we need to be sure that any blinds which would not comply with the new regulations ship by April 30th.
What do these new regulations cover?
These new regulations apply to all window coverings for consumer use in Canada from all manufacturers and retailers, regardless of whether the window coverings are manufactured in Canada or imported into Canada from any other country.Can I still buy the same types of window coverings as before?
These regulations require changes to many window coverings.1. Most blinds & shades will still be available, just without a corded lift system. Most window coverings will now be raised and lowered through cordless lift systems, power wands, or motorization/automation. In addition, certain products will have some new types of lift systems (e.g. wand lift)
Cordless Lift
Motorization
Power Wand
2. Certain products and options will not be available any longer due to the way they operate with internal cords, including:
- Mini/aluminum blinds
- Top-down bottom-up shades
- Pleated shades
- Faux wood and wood blinds will be tilt-only as of as April 11th (these blinds will always be in the lowered position, without the ability to raise the blinds). National Interiors will then have fully operational faux wood and wood blinds which can be raised & lowered within a few months.
I am looking for window coverings (e.g. mini blinds, top-down bottom-up shades) which are no longer available on your site. Will I be able to find them anywhere else?
We manufacture our window coverings through some of the top factories in Canada and internationally. We are confident that we have the widest selection of products and features available. There are certain types of window treatments, such as mini blinds and top-down bottom-up shades, which we don’t expect will be available in Canada from any other on-line or in-store retailer.What if I want to match other blinds I already have in my home, and these blinds are no longer available due to the new regulations?
We will offer recommended substitutes wherever we can on the site. And be sure to order free samples so that you can best match new window coverings to your existing blinds or shades. And remember, most window coverings will still be available in the same fabrics and colours with cordless/motorized lift systems.Please also feel free to contact one of our Design Consultants by chat, email or phone at info@nationalinteriors.ca or 204-783-8559. We are here to help you find exactly what you need!
What if my windows are too high to raise & lower with a cordless lift system?
Most blinds and shades will be offered with lift system options that can work with taller & oversized windows, including motorized solutions and other types of lift systems (e.g. wand operation for many roller/solar shades). In addition, for some cordless blinds you will have the option of adding an extension pole which can be used to raise & lower the blinds.Are the window coverings I see on the site the only ones which will be available from National Interiors in the future?
Definitely not! National Interiors is constantly innovating and developing new window coverings, designs/fabrics and features so that you can find the perfect blinds, shades or shutters for your home. We will continue to add new products monthly. For instance, you can expect to see the following additions in the upcoming months:- Faux wood blinds and wood blinds that raise and lower (as well as tilt)
- An expanded assortment of roman shades and bamboo/woven wood shades
- Day/night honeycomb/cellular shades which have light filtering material on the top and blackout material on the bottom (a potential substitute for top-down bottom-up shades)
I ordered samples for window coverings that are no longer available. Can I still order them?
No. Once window coverings that do not comply with the new Health Canada regulations are no longer on our site (April 11th, 2022), you will no longer be able to order them, as we cannot guarantee we would be able to ship this product before the new regulations are enforced on May 1st. We therefore recommend that you order any blinds of interest as soon as possible, and certainly before April 11th.You can also contact one of our Design Consultants by chat, email or phone at 888-685-1735. We are here to help you find the right window coverings for your home.
What should I do with the corded window coverings that I already have in my home?
The new regulations only apply to new window coverings sold as of May 1st, 2022, so you can continue to use your existing window coverings.However, cordless blinds & shades that comply with the new regulations are the safest choice for any home with kids and pets, so now might be the right time to replace some of your older, corded window coverings.
If you do plan to keep your current corded window coverings, we recommend the following to provide the safest environment for kids:
- Install only cordless blinds and shades in baby nurseries and kids’ rooms.
- Ensure that pull cords are secured with a cord cleat, and that continuous-loop cords are anchored to the wall or floor.
- Make sure there are no accessible cords on the front, side, or back of all window coverings.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions and read all warnings. Corded window coverings become a greater risk if they are not properly installed.
- Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys far away from any windows with corded blinds/shades.
- Keep all cords high enough so that they are out of the reach of children.
- Make sure cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit the movement of inner lift cords.
- Lock cords into position whenever blinds or shades are lowered.
- Never tie knots in cords and untie any knots that form. Also remove any devices that form dangling loops anywhere on the cords.
