June 23, 2010

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Health Canada, and the European Commission's Directorate General for Health and Consumers (DG SANCO) recently called for immediate action to develop strong and comprehensive international safety standards on corded window coverings.

This is the first time the three safety agencies, representing consumers in 29 countries, have united in their demand for stronger international safety standards on a specific product.

The goal of an internationally coordinated effort by the safety agencies, standards development organizations, and manufacturers is to develop cost-effective product development, manufacturing, and sales processes in a global economy while upholding the highest level of safety for children.

The agencies pledged to continue to collaborate with standards development organizations by providing available epidemiological data and expertise, describing hazard scenarios, and identifying specific risks of injuries from corded window coverings. Corded window coverings cause strangulation deaths and significant injuries in children worldwide.

Full article. (CPSC)