Industry guidance related to the Corded Window Coverings Regulations: Labelling and packaging requirements
Labelling and packaging requirements
Any product that is within scope of the Regulations, including those with unreachable cords, must meet all the requirements of the Regulations, including sections 9 through 15 concerning the required information for the product, its packaging and advertising.
Labelling and packaging requirements apply to all corded window coverings regardless of their manner of distribution, including custom or stock (off-the-shelf) products.
Reference to the CCPSA or its Regulations in any information that appears on a corded window covering, accompanies it, or in its advertising is prohibited by section 9 of the Regulations. An example of a prohibited statement includes the following: "This product meets the requirements of Health Canada's Corded Window Coverings Regulations".
Presentation of information
Section 10 of the Regulations describes the language requirements, as well as the requirements for visibility, legibility and durability of label information. The information required by the Regulations must:
- appear in both English and French
- be legible, prominent, and clearly displayed
- remain legible and visible throughout the product's useful life, and
- be indelibly printed on the corded window covering itself, or on a permanently affixed label
A label is considered permanently affixed if it cannot be removed in one piece when assessed by an appropriate test method (see the Resource section). A label that has been intentionally scored is considered multiple (individual) labels; each section of the label is considered to be one piece. Consequently, if one section of a scored label can be removed in one piece then it is considered non-compliant.
Required information
Section 13 of the Regulations states the required information that must appear on the product and its packaging:
- the model name or model number
- the date of manufacture, including the year and either the month or week, in that order; and
- if manufactured in Canada, the name and principal place of business of the manufacturer or the person for whom the product was manufactured, or
- if imported, the name and principal place of business of the manufacturer and the importer
Instructions – assembly, installation and operation
Every corded window covering must include the following instructions per the requirements of section 14:
- how to assemble the corded window covering
- how to install it, and
- how to operate it
Warning
Section 15 of the Regulations states that the following warning or its equivalent must appear on every corded window covering, its packaging, and any accompanying instructions for the corded window covering:
WARNING
- STRANGULATION HAZARD — Young children can be strangled by cords. Immediately remove this product if a cord longer than 22 cm or a loop exceeding 44 cm around becomes accessible.
MISE EN GARDE
- RISQUE D'ÉTRANGLEMENT — Les enfants en bas âge peuvent s'étrangler avec des cordes. Enlevez immédiatement ce produit si une corde mesurant plus de 22 cm devient accessible ou si le contour d'une boucle de plus de 44 cm devient accessible.
Warnings that have the same content, but use different wording to convey the same meaning, are acceptable. Information that contradicts any of the required information of the Regulations or that is misleading or deceptive with respect to the required information of the Regulations is not permitted.
While the warnings may be expressed in different wording, Health Canada encourages industry to use the exact wording as set out in the Regulations to eliminate the risk of misinterpretation.
See the Resources section for further details regarding the requirements for information and advertising, and how compliance to these requirements is assessed.