G/TBT/N/NZL/120  
8 February 2023  
(23-0937) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original:  English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member:  NEW ZEALAND  
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible:   
Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment  
PO BOX 1473  
Wellington 6140  
www.mbie.govt.nz  
Consumer Policy  
Consumer@mbie.govt.nz  
Ph: +64 4 901 1499  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers , email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:   
Standards New Zealand  
Phone: +64 4 498 5990  
Email: wto@standards.co.nz  
Website: www.standards.govt.nz   
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [  ], 5.6.2 [  ], 5.7.1 [  ], 3.2 [  ], 7.2 [  ], 
other :  
4. Products covered  (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Corded 
window coverings, including those under HS 3925.30.  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Discussion 
paper: Options to address safety risks of corded window coverings 33 pages in English 
(33 page(s), in English)  
Consultation document: O ptions to address safety risks of corded window coverings 
(mbie.govt.nz)  
https://www.mbie.govt.nz/dmsdocument/25929 -consultation -document -options -to-
addres s-safety -risks-of-corded -window -coverings -pdf 
6. Description of content:  The New Zealand Government is considering regulating corded 
window coverings under a product safety standard to address the risk that they pose to 
young children.  
This discussion document seeks feedback on the nature and scale of the problem, the 
options, benefits, costs and other impacts of the options, and implementation. The 
feedback from the consultation will be used to inform policy development and advice to 
Ministe rs on next steps.  G/TBT/N/NZL/120  
 
- 2 - 
 
  The discussion document seeks feedback on two possible approaches to product safety 
regulations:  
1. Mandatory design requirements for corded window coverings (similar to 
Australia Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standard - Corded 
Internal Window Coverings) Regulations 2010 and Competition and 
Consumer (Corded Internal Window Coverings) Safety Standard 2014  
2. Prohibiting window coverings with exposed cords (similar to the recently 
updated 16 CFR 1120  and new regulation under 16 CFR 1260  in the United 
States. This deems the presence of hazardous window covering cords on 
stock and custom window coverings, which have been adequately 
addressed by the voluntary standard for window coverings, ANSI/WCMA 
A100.1 – 2018, American National Standard  for Safety of Corded Window 
Covering Products (ANSI/WCMA -2018), as a "substantial product 
hazard," as defined in section 15(a)(2) of the CPSA.).  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:   
Uncovered cords for window coverings (e.g. roller blinds, concertina blinds, Roman blinds 
and slatted blinds like Venetian blinds) pose a risk of strangulation to young children who 
can become entangled in cord loops. In New Zealand, three children have died due to 
cords in w indow coverings from 2012 -2021. This is an average of 0.33 deaths per year, 
equivalent to 0.12 deaths per 100,000 children under 4 years of age. Protecting young 
children is considered a high priority, as they are not able to take independent measures 
to protect themselves.  
This discussion paper is intended to gather information on the best option to address the 
risk presented to small children by corded window coverings in New Zealand.  
Protection of human health or safety  
8. Relevant documents:   
Discussio n paper: Options to address safety risks of corded window coverings pages in 
English (33 page(s), in English)  
Consultation document: Options to address safety risks of corded window coverings 
(mbie.govt.nz)  
https://www.mbie.govt.nz/dmsdocument/25929 -consultation -document -options -to-
address -safety -risks-of-corded -window -coverings -pdf 
9. Proposed date of adoption:  To be determined  
Proposed date of entry into force:  To be  determined  
10. Final date for comments:  90 days from notification  
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [ ] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available , of other body:   
MBIE Consumer Policy  
consumer@mbie.govt.nz