Legislation - Corded Blinds Safety & Compliance
Due to the potential strangulation hazard, landlords are required to ensure that all corded window coverings are properly fitted and maintained in accordance with complex safety standards.
Don’t assume blinds have been correctly installed. A 2016 survey of display homes conducted by the ACCC found that only 10% of the homes would be compliant if they were sold with the window coverings as installed.1 It’s crucial that window coverings are fitted and checked by a compliance expert.
Landlords are legally obliged to keep properties safe for habitation and hazard-free. This includes maintaining the compliance of all corded window fittings in accordance with the Competition and Consumer (Corded Internal Window Coverings) Safety Standard 2014.
Agents may be contractually responsible for informing landlords of their responsibilities and ensuring that corded window coverings are correctly fitted and regularly maintained in accordance with the Safety Standard.
The Safety Standard 2014 states that:
- A corded window covering must be installed in accordance with the safety instructions on the packaging.
- No part of a cord guide or a loose cord may hang lower than 1600mm above floor level, unless the cord guide will remain firmly attached to the wall when a tension force of 70N is applied for 10 seconds in any direction, and the loose cord is secured to prevent the formation of a loop 220mm or longer.
- The person responsible for installing the window covering must attach a label with their name and contact details; any warning labels/swing tags provided with the window covering must remain attached to the cord.
- For more detailed information see the Safety Standard 2014.
A record of an electrical safety check must include the following information:
- The name of the licensed or registered electrician who conducted the check;
- The licence or registration number of the licensed or registered electrician who conducted the check;
- The date the check was conducted; and
- The results of the check, including any repairs that were required and actions taken to address the repair.
For more information see the draft Residential Tenancies Regulations 2020
In addition, the packaging, labelling and supply of corded window coverings is regulated by the Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standard – Corded Internal Window Coverings) Regulations 2010.
Detector Inspector’s annual Corded Blinds Safety & Compliance service is safer and more reliable than a tradesperson. We’ll help you ensure that all mandatory requirements are met in accordance with the Safety Standard 2014 and relevant state-based legislation.
Ask Detector Inspector about our Corded Blinds Safety & Compliance service today.
1https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-warns-of-dangers-of-loose-blind-and-curtain-cords
Important disclaimer
The advice provided in these guidelines is of a general nature only and is a summary of the main legislation and regulations affecting electrical safety in the relevant states described. It is not to be treated as a comprehensive appraisal of all electrical safety legislation and regulations in force. This advice does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. The advice is a summary of guidelines published by state and territory government websites. Accordingly, we have relied on the accuracy of the content published by the relevant websites in compiling this advice. You should seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content.