# 2026-19579: Window Blinds Cords Deemed Deadly: CPSC's Cord Crackdown Begins 2026-19579, Substantial Product Hazard List: Amendments to Requirements for Window Covering Cords, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Consumer Product Safety Commission published 2026-09-24, effective Written comments must be received by November 23, 2026.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-01). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19579 - As of: 2026-10-01 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-19579 - Title: Substantial Product Hazard List: Amendments to Requirements for Window Covering Cords - Type: Proposed Rule - Agencies: Consumer Product Safety Commission - Citation: 91 FR 60546 - Published: 2026-09-24 - Effective: Written comments must be received by November 23, 2026. - Comments close: 2026-11-23 - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: none - Last updated: 2026-10-01 ## In one line Window Blinds Cords Deemed Deadly: CPSC's Cord Crackdown Begins ## Summary The Consumer Product Safety Commission wants to make certain window covering cords a big safety concern because they can cause strangulation. This affects makers and sellers of custom and stock window coverings with long or looped cords, requiring new warnings and safer designs. Comments on these changes are open until November 23, 2026, so businesses should get ready to update their products and stay safe! ## Abstract To address window covering cord strangulation risks, the Commission proposes to designate certain window coverings a substantial product hazard. These include products with: accessible free hanging operating cords longer than 8 inches on custom window coverings; exposed continuous loops with and without tension devices on custom horizontal blinds; exposed continuous loops without tension devices on other custom window coverings; lack of a warning on exposed continuous loops and single retractable cords on custom window coverings; presence of stroke lengths longer than 36 inches on single retractable cord lift systems on custom window coverings; and a cord loop lift system on stock or custom roll up style shades. ## Effects PRIA read - Custom blinds: no free cords over 8 inches: cost, medium. If you make, import, or sell custom window coverings, free‑hanging operating cords that are accessible to children and longer than 8 inches are proposed to be designated a substantial product hazard. The ANSI/WCMA-2022 standard (effective June 1, 2024) requires such cords to be inaccessible or 8 in… - Custom horizontal blinds: no exposed loops: benefit, high. The proposal would deem exposed continuous loop operating systems on custom horizontal blinds a substantial product hazard, even if a tension device is present. This change targets looped cords that can act like a noose and cause strangulation of children. - Other custom coverings: loops need tension device: benefit, high. For custom window coverings that are not horizontal blinds, exposed continuous loops without an installed tension device would be designated a substantial product hazard. The ANSI/WCMA-2022 standard allows continuous loops on some custom products only if equipped with a compliant tension device, lo… - Custom retractable cords limited to 36 inches: benefit, high. The proposal would deem single retractable cord lift systems on custom window coverings with a stroke length exceeding 36 inches a substantial product hazard. ANSI/WCMA-2022 sets a maximum stroke length of 36 inches for a cord retraction device. - Roll‑up shades: cord loop lifts prohibited: benefit, high. The proposal would deem cord loop lifts on stock and custom roll up style shades a substantial product hazard; ANSI/WCMA-2022 defines roll up style shades as flexible sheets without cords. This would prevent use of cord loop lifts on roll up shades. - Custom systems must have warning labels/tags: benefit, low. The NPRM would deem the absence of a required warning label and warning tag on (1) continuous loop operating systems containing a tension device and (2) single retractable cord lift systems on custom window coverings a substantial product hazard. Custom manufacturers would need to include the speci… - Noncompliant imports can be seized/refused: cost, high. If finalized, stock and custom window coverings that violate the rule would be subject to refusal of admission into the United States under section 17(a) of the CPSA, and Customs and Border Protection may seize and forfeit merchandise under the Tariff Act. Importers could therefore face seizure and… - Failure to report an SPH can bring penalties: cost, medium. A product listed as presenting a substantial product hazard would trigger the reporting requirements of section 15(b) of the CPSA; manufacturers, importers, distributors, or retailers that fail to report may face civil penalties under section 20 and criminal penalties under section 21. 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