Certification and Registration
Best for Kids Cordless Curtain Safety Certification Program FAQ
Category:
ANSI/WCMA 100.1 U.S. Standard for Drawstring Curtains
The window covering industry has introduced the new Best for Kids™ certification program to help educate consumers about potential cord hazards for young children and support informed choices when selecting window coverings. To obtain this certification, manufacturers must meet the program requirements and submit their products to an accredited third-party testing laboratory. Products that pass the evaluation may use the “Best for Kids™ Certified” label.
Products compliant with “Best for Kids™” must have no cords or no operating cords, and any internal cords must be inaccessible. Alternatively, if accessible internal cords are present in products without operating cords, these cords must not form hazardous loops.
“Parents with young children should replace corded window coverings with cordless alternatives,” said Peter Rush, Executive Director of the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC). “The newly launched Best for Kids™ Certification labels make it easier for parents and caregivers to identify products that are best suited for their homes.”
Best for Kids Tag
To help consumers make informed choices when selecting window coverings, the new Best for Kids™ certification program makes it easier to identify cordless products. To obtain this certification, manufacturers must meet the program requirements and submit their products to an approved third-party testing laboratory. Products that pass the testing may use the “Best for Kids™ Certified” label. Best for Kids™ certified products are currently available at major retailers nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Best for Kids Plan?
Best for Kids™ is the industry’s first third-party certification program designed to help consumers and retailers identify window covering products best suited for homes with children. The new Best for Kids™ program requires manufacturers to ensure that their products meet strict requirements and submit them to a third-party testing laboratory. Products that comply with these requirements may display the “Certified” label on packaging and materials, and companies may use this designation in their marketing materials.
Who is participating in this program?
This program is open to all manufacturers that sell curtain products in the United States.
How will this plan promote curtain safety?
Window covering products must comply with the ANSI/WCMA A100.1 standard. To help consumers with children select suitable products, WCMA has developed comprehensive requirements to ensure products are appropriate for use in homes with children. In addition, WCMA has established a third-party certification program to identify products manufactured in accordance with these requirements. Certified products are eligible to display the “Certified” label and be listed under the program. This certification program does not replace the requirement that all products comply with the latest applicable ANSI standard requirements.
How can manufacturers participate in this program?
To participate in the program, manufacturers can submit products that are believed to meet the program requirements for evaluation by SATIFY. Actual product samples must be submitted to SATIFY for review and testing to verify compliance with the Best for Kids™ program requirements. For products that pass the evaluation, SATIFY will issue a report to the submitting company confirming that the products are eligible to use the “Certified” label.
Are retailers participating in this program?
WCMA has contacted major retailers to encourage their participation in the program. The certification program is expected to receive strong retailer support, as it allows retailers to easily identify and promote certified products.
Why has the industry launched this initiative?
For many years, the window covering industry has worked with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and safety organizations to encourage parents to use only cordless window coverings or products with cords that are inaccessible to children in homes with young children. The Best for Kids™ program provides greater clarity for the market, allowing consumers and retailers to easily identify products that have been independently tested and meet child-safety standards.
How does this differ from previous industry plans?
This is the industry’s first certification program designed to classify products and help consumers identify those best suited for use in homes with young children when making purchasing decisions. Manufacturers seeking to qualify their products under the program must submit them for third-party testing. A new label will be placed on the product or packaging to indicate compliance with the program requirements. Retailers will be encouraged to provide information about the Best for Kids™ program and certified products at the point of sale.
Which products are eligible to participate in this program?
According to ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2012 Appendix C, products with no operating cords or inaccessible internal cords are eligible for the certification program. If accessible internal cords are present in products without operating cords, the accessible internal cords must not form hazardous loops or create any potential entanglement hazards according to Appendix D of the current ANSI/WCMA A100.1 standard. A third-party testing laboratory will determine whether products comply with the program requirements.
Do curtains equipped with additional safety devices, such as wire breakers, tethering devices, and cleats, comply with the project requirements?
Only products that meet ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2012 Appendix C requirements for no operating cords or inaccessible internal cords, or products that comply with the latest version of ANSI/WCMA A100.1 Appendix D requirements for accessible internal cords that do not form hazardous loops, are eligible for the certification program.SATIFY can help determine whether products meet the program requirements. If accessible internal cords are present in products without operating cords, these cords must not form hazardous loops or create potential entanglement hazards according to the latest version of ANSI/WCMA A100.1 Appendix D. There are no exceptions to these requirements.
Will this plan increase the costs of these products?
WCMA does not determine the cost of window covering products. Pricing is established independently by each company.
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SATISFY TECH AND SERVICE LLC
SATISFY TECH AND SERVICE LLC delivers full-lifecycle technical solutions for children’s products, hygiene care, protective equipment, furniture, and building materials. Our framework spans compliance pre-assessment, standard upgrading, and risk control. We empower manufacturers and exporters through expert testing, certification, consulting, and standards interpretation.
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