The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (“ACCC”) identified a major hazard with loop cord systems as young children face a risk of strangulation. As a result the ACCC issued Mandatory Standards known as The Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standard – Corded Internal Window Coverings) Regulations 2010 (“The Trade Practices Mandatory Safety Standards”) which regulate the design, construction and labeling of corded window furnishings.
From 1 July 2011 all suppliers, including lessors, must comply with The Trade Practices Mandatory Safety Standards in relation to any corded window covering such as Vertical, Venetian, Holland and Roman Blinds and Curtains (including pencil pleat “ready mades” and pencil pleat tape) and any fitting containing cords, such as Curtain Rods and Tracks.
The Competition and Consumer (Corded Internal Window Coverings) Safety Standard 2014, which commenced on 1 January 2015, applies to the installation of corded internal window coverings in residential buildings and imposes additional labelling requirements on suppliers (including Landlords).
Over 95% of homes with corded window furnishings currently DO NOT meet this safety standard
Landlords and Property Managers
Both Landlords and Property Managers are responsible for ensuring that the property and the products they provide work effectively and safely and that products come with instructions and safety information where necessary. This includes window coverings with cords. Landlords and Property Managers have a duty of care to tenants as well as anyone the tenant invites into the property, and must ensure the property is safe to live in.
As an agent for the Landlord, you may expose yourself and your Landlord to claims from Tenants arising from the supply of goods that breach mandatory safety standards.
Failing to advise your Owners to take simple steps to remove or reduce the risk of harm may expose you to litigation should an injury occur.
Who is affected? Australian businesses involved in the supply of window coverings [importers, distributors, retailers, and installers], consumers and government are affected. In the context of blind and curtain installations, consumers are any person or business that owns, rents or leases a residential or commercial property.
DON’T RISK LIVES: INSURANCE POLICIES DON’T COVER YOU FOR NEGLIGENCE
Insurance policies do vary, however most have an exclusion clause that means that the insurance company may not have to pay out where the Owner breaks the law or has been advised that there is an issue and elects not to act to rectify the issue or harm. The question of legal liability aside, who would willingly want to risk the life of a child and subsequent knowledge that a death or tragedy could have been avoided if prior action was taken by simply addressing the issue.How we can help
Our trained compliance inspectors will visit your property and identify any potential hazards in the cord systems of your window furnishings. They will then comply your property in accordance with the Trade Practices Mandatory Safety Standards.
We supply and install all cleats, tensioning devices, cord guards and warning labels on all window furnishings that can be retrofitted. If in the unlikely event that any window furnishing cannot be brought up to The Mandatory Safety Standards, we will advise you or your Property Manager.
In addition to this we will provide the Occupier with a product safety information statement and you or your Property Manager with a Compliance Report. Get Complied TODAY!