Updated 4/1/2024
The Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) has announced the approval of the updated voluntary window covering safety standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to be cordless or have inaccessible short cords. The revised safety standard, ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2022, strengthens window covering safety by eliminating the use of free hanging operating cords, free hanging tilt cords, and multiple cord connectors on all made-to-order custom window covering products.
In addition, the standard adds enhanced performance requirements for permitted categories of custom products utilizing retractable cord operating systems, rigid shrouds, and continuous cord loop / bead chain operating systems tension devices. These standards will impact all made-to-order custom window treatment manufacturers.
What are the impacts of the new regulations?
- Effective May 31, 2024, manufacturing of all blinds with cord lift and/or cord tilt operating systems will be discontinued.
- To abide by the new baseline for safety, Schammerhorn will work with our vendors and project specifiers to offer alternative options to any impacted project. Any proposals, regardless of valid dates, which include blinds with cord lift and/or cord tilt operating systems will be subject to pricing and operating system changes based on Schammerhorn’s legal and material constraints by the new regulations.
- Replacement and remakes of existing blinds with cord lift and/or cord tilt will be made in accordance with the updated standards.
- Roller and Solar Shades will continue to offer beaded chain/continuous cord loop options with new tension hold down devices. Cordless Commercial Solar Shades are a new option available from select manufactures.
Schammerhorn is dedicated to using reputable vendors that comply with national safety standards. Failure to use products that comply with the standard could result in a liability risk for the architect, general contractor, building owner, installer, and others involved.
FAQS
- Are corded blinds available from other manufacturers/vendors?
- In theory they could be, but the major industry leaders like SWF, Mecho, Hunter Douglas, Levolor, Draper, and others are already updating to the new standards. Not using product that complies with the standard could result in liability risk for the architect, general contractor, building owner, installer, and anyone else involved. Schammerhorn only works with reputable vendors who comply with national safety standards. We highly recommend you do the same to protect yourselves and your clients from unnecessary liability.
- Are horizontal blinds still available?
- Yes, wood and faux wood blinds are available with cordless lift / wand tilt, or tilt only. Mini blinds are available with cordless lift / wand tilt (in one headrail style which doesn’t use box brackets), or tilt only.
- What is the cost increase associated with the new standards?
- This will depend on the project. Manufacturers are still working to determine updated pricing following the implementation of the new standard. From what we’ve seen so far, it looks like some manual solar shades may cost less than a cordless horizontal faux wood blind of the same size. This is a great opportunity to upgrade to a nicer product with easier maintenance.
- Are solar and roller shades required to have chain tension devices installed?
- Yes – according to the new standard, chain tensioners MUST be integral to the operation of the shade and included as part of the manufacturing process. The shades will not work properly if the chain tensioners are not installed. This also greatly affects chain lengths as we won’t be able to adjust them on site.
- What about vertical blinds?
- These are still a great economy option and are available as wand draw / wand tilt only.
- What about warranty and remakes if a blind or shade is damaged?
- Warranties are not changing at this time. Blinds & shades can be repaired to the standards in effect when they were manufactured. This means Schammerhorn can still order parts and repair shades that have cords as long as the manufacturers have parts on hand. However, manufacturers will not take shades back for repair from before the new standards. So, if we’re unable to fix it on site or at our shop, a replacement shade will need to be ordered.
