EU Standards on Blind Cord Safety

An EU Commission Decision on window blind safety has now been approved by the EU Parliament and was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 28 July. This will affect everyone involved in designing, manufacturing, selling or installing internal blinds where children live or may visit.

The Commission Decision will require a change in the child safety aspects of EN 13120 (Internal Blinds performance requirements including safety). Whilst this is still a voluntary standard all members are mandated to comply with the child safety aspects via the BBSA’s Code of Practice.

Click here to read the full text of the EU Decision (requires Adobe Reader)

Every company in Europe is legally obliged to comply with the General Product Safety Directive which in the UK is enshrined in the General Product Safety Regulations, 2005. These regulations state that you must sell a “safe” product.

However, the revised version of EN 13120 will be a “reference standard” which means that if one complies with the child safety aspects of EN 13120 there is a “presumption of conformity” to the General Product Safety Regulations.

In other words, if any business does not comply with EN 13120 then they are not selling a “safe product”.

When it is ratified by the 27 member states, this will apply to all internal blinds and corded window coverings in all buildings where children aged 0-42 months have access and are likely to be present.

• Window coverings shall (ideally) not form a hazardous loop
• If it doesn’t eliminate the risk that a hazardous loop is formed, then an appropriate safety device is provided
• Safety devices (ideally) shall be provided as an integral part of the product
• If the safety device is not integral it shall be pre-installed on the operating cord/chain with a warning message; “Children can strangle if this device is not installed. Read carefully the instructions and install accordingly. Always use this device to keep cords or chains out of the reach of children”

Here at Conservatory Blinds Limited we already offer blinds with cord safety devices or no accessible looped cords, and we have fitted warning labels to any looped cord blinds for many years.

Our news section is constantly updated with information on all aspects of safety.