I am pleased to hear that this week the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved for publication the new window covering safety standard Safety of Corded Window Covering Products (ANSI/WCMA A100-2014). Extensive efforts have been made by CPSC staff, consumer advocates, retailers, manufacturers, test labs, and other stakeholders in the development of this consensus standard. I applaud and appreciate all of these efforts. Various organizations came together, shared their expertise and efforts to achieve a long-sought after goal of addressing the strangulation hazard of certain stock window coverings.

I look forward to this same group of experts, taking the next step to address strangulation hazards related to custom window coverings.

Today’s window covering consensus standard is a critically important step in protecting children.