SelectBlinds.com Responds to WCMA’s June 29 Statement Regarding Timeline to Update Window Covering Safety Standard
July 1, 2016 | By Business Wire News
PHOENIX
SelectBlinds.com, a leading online retailer of 100 percent cordless custom window coverings, today responded to the Window Covering Manufacturers Association’s June 29, 2016, statement announcing the timeline to update the window covering safety standard.
The statement discussed that in the window covering industry there are technological advances, innovation, and new product development “that will allow WCMA to revise the standard using new approaches that will effectively address the risk posed to young children by window coverings with accessible cords.”
WCMA’s statement goes on to say, “We are also confident that the performance standard created by such an approach will result in the vast majority of window products sold in the U.S. being cordless or having inaccessible cords.”
SelectBlinds.com Says Cordless or No Accessible Cords Period
According to Al Silverberg, SelectBlinds.com’s co-founder and CEO, while the WCMA’s statement is encouraging that improvement is on the horizon, WCMA’s effort falls short if the organization only plans to address some and not all of the window products sold in the United States. Silverberg also notes there is no mention of consumer education.
“Historically, the window covering industry has proven time and time again to lack the ability to effectively police itself as evident by the needless cord-related window covering deaths and injuries of hundreds of children,” Silverberg said. “There is only one, simple option to consider for an updated window covering safety standard and that is cordless or no accessible cords. I believe WCMA should make a standard that effective January 1, 2018, window coverings sold in the USA must have no accessible cords. It shouldn’t take months and multiple options to decide the updated standard.”
Silverberg testified in June before the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), including Chairman Elliot Kaye, requesting CPSC consider issuing a mandate for window covering products to be cord free by January 1, 2018. He reinforced that the time for self-regulation had passed, that the industry is capable of solving the issue, and that consumer education around the topic is necessary.
“The window covering industry has a key opportunity to completely transform a broken industry and to prevent needless deaths and permanent injuries. Let’s get it right this time as the updated safety standard is being formulated,” Silverberg said. “We at SelectBlinds.com are here to collaborate on an updated safety standard and can leverage our experiences of going cordless.”
SelectBlinds.com made the decision to go cordless last year and transitioned the company’s stock and custom product offerings by March 31, 2016, becoming the first to do so in the custom window covering industry.
More than 20 children a year in the United States, on average, are injured or killed by a window covering cord, according to statistics maintained by Parents for Window Blind Safety (PFWBS). SelectBlinds.com is asking consumers and the industry to join them in the #GoCordless Movement to help prevent needless deaths and injuries by creating safer living environments. Go to www.selectblinds.com/gocordless for more information or to share on social channels.
In addition, SelectBlinds.com is partnering with PFWBS for the Project Cordless giveaway to upgrade an entire home, apartment, military housing unit or daycare facility with custom cordless window coverings at no charge each month. Go to www.selectblinds.com/gocordless.html#ProjectCordless to submit a 30-second video to nominate your friend, yourself, colleague or family member for Project Cordless.
About SelectBlinds.com
Phoenix-based SelectBlinds.com, a subsidiary of parent company SelectShops.com, is a leading online provider of custom window coverings. Established in 2003, the company has more than 1 million customers. SelectBlinds.com is dedicated to offering blinds and shades with all the safety and efficiency features consumers need at competitive prices. All products sold by SelectBlinds.com come with a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. With a focus on safety and style, the company became the first custom window covering provider to go 100 percent cordless on March 31, 2016. The company was recently recognized by Harvard University/Harvard Business School with the 2015 Humanitarian of the Year Award for working to transform the window covering industry to cordless.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160701005914/en/
SelectBlinds.com
Lisa Hosman, 480-302-5167
lisa.hosman@selectshops.com
or
Willow St. Agency for SelectBlinds.com
Sheri D. Smith, 214-454-3969
ssmith@willowstagency.com
