What is the difference between Canada SOR/2017-117 and US CPSC cord safety standards?

Both have similar core requirements (cord loop ≤220mm, securing devices, tension devices), but key differences: 1) Canada explicitly requires tension devices to withstand at least 35N force, while US standard does not specify a numerical value; 2) Canada limits single cord accessible length to 300mm, while US standard focuses on loop cords; 3) Canada requires safety warning labels in both English and French, while US only requires English. It is recommended to design products meeting both simultaneously to cover the entire North American market.

Which standard should I use as the design baseline for globally compliant blinds?

It is recommended to use Canada SOR/2017-117 as the design baseline, as it is the strictest cord safety regulation worldwide — explicitly requiring tension devices to withstand at least 35N force and limiting single cord accessible length to 300mm, requirements that exceed other markets. Products designed to Canadian standards automatically meet EU, US, UK, and Australian requirements, achieving "one design, global compliance."

Are cordless products exempt from cord safety regulations in all markets?

Yes, products completely without accessible cords, chains, ropes, or loops are exempt from cord safety regulations in all five markets. However, note: 1) If the product is equipped with emergency cords or backup cords, those cords must still comply; 2) Motorized product remote controls or control devices are not subject to cord regulations but must meet electrical safety standards; 3) "Cordless" definitions vary slightly by market, it is recommended to ensure the product has completely no accessible cords.

What is the difference in cord retention device pull force requirements between the EU and Canada?

The EU EN 13120 standard requires cord retention devices to withstand a pull force of at least 40N without releasing the cord, while the Canadian SOR/2019-97 regulation requires 90N. Canada's requirement is significantly higher than the EU's. If products are sold in both markets, they should be designed to meet the higher 90N standard to ensure cross-market compliance.

What safety warning label content can be used across all markets?

The core warning content (child strangulation risk, correct installation of safety devices, keep away from children) can be used universally, but language requirements differ: US, UK, Australia only need English; EU needs national languages; Canada requires both English and French. It is recommended to design multi-language label templates including English + French + German + Spanish + Italian and other major market languages, one printing covering multiple markets. Note: Canada requires English-French information "equal prominence", cannot have one language larger than the other.

Global Cord Safety Regulations for Blinds: EU, US, UK, Australia, Canada

Published 2026-08-24 · Last updated 2026-10-21 · By Yuehua Blinds · 10 min read · 163 views

Fifteen years ago cord safety in blinds was voluntary in most markets. Today it is mandatory in every one of the five, and the requirements have converged on the same shape: 220 mm cord loops, wall cleats, tension devices and child safety warnings. The two real outliers are Canada, which adds a 35 N tension test and a 300 mm single-cord limit, and the US, which only made the rule mandatory in August 2024. The practical takeaway for an exporter is simple - design to Canada and you automatically cover the rest.

Key takeaways

Every major market caps accessible cord loops at 220 mm and requires cleats or tension devices. The mechanical hardware is shared; only the test method and the penalty regime differ.
Canada's SOR/2017-117 is the strictest: tension devices must hold at 35 N and a single accessible cord must not exceed 300 mm. Designing to this one standard meets EU, US, UK and Australian rules.
The US federal rule (16 CFR Part 1260) took effect only in August 2024 and references ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2018. Fines can reach $120,000 per product per day.
Cordless designs - spring, push-pull, motorized - are exempt in all five markets and are now the default children's-room choice.

Why one design covers five markets

Window blind cords are a proven child strangulation hazard, and regulators have moved from voluntary standards to mandatory rules. The effect on product design is direct: cordless, spring and motorized systems are the growth segment, while corded products carry mandatory safety hardware. Building one corded design that clears the strictest test is cheaper than running five separate tooling programs.

The five regimes at a glance

Item	EU EN 13120	US 16 CFR 1260	UK BS EN 13120	Australia AS/NZS 4158	Canada SOR/2017-117
In force	July 2014	August 2024	July 2014	July 2010	July 2017
Cord loop limit	220 mm	220 mm	220 mm	220 mm	220 mm
Cleat hook	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Tension device	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes, 35 N
Single cord limit	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified	300 mm
Test method	EN 16433	ANSI/WCMA A100.1	EN 16433	AS/NZS 4158	SOR/2017-117
Label language	National language	English	English	English	English and French
Cordless exemption	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

What differs in practice

EU and UK. EN 13120:2009+A1:2014 pairs with the EN 16433 test method. The UK adopts it as BS EN 13120 and runs the BBSA Make It Safe campaign. Enforcement is through market surveillance and Trading Standards.

United States. 16 CFR Part 1260 replaced the voluntary ANSI/WCMA standard in August 2024 and is enforced directly by the CPSC. CPSC has recalled unsafe blinds repeatedly, with fines adjusted to $120,000 per product per day in 2024.

Australia. AS/NZS 4158 has been mandatory since July 2010 and is enforced by the ACCC. It closely mirrors EN 13120, with slightly different test mechanics.

Canada. SOR/2017-117 is the outlier on hardware: the 35 N tension device and the 300 mm single-cord limit are not required elsewhere. Its warning labels must also run in English and French.

Design strategy for export

Design to SOR/2017-117 first. A 35 N tension device and 300 mm cord limit automatically satisfy the other four.
Push cordless spring and motorized lines for children's rooms; they skip the cord rule in every market.
Choose safety devices that can be tested against EN 16433, AS/NZS 4158 and SOR/2017-117 in one lab run.
Print a multi-language warning label template (English, French, German, Spanish) so one SKU ships regionally.
Archive test reports, device certificates and label samples for at least 5 years.

We build cordless lines - the cordless zebra blinds are the standard example - and fit tension devices at production, not as a post-assembly bolt-on. Our MOQ is 1000 pcs per pattern (2500 with color matching) on a 40-50 day lead time, so a multi-market cordless program is practical to stock.

Bottom line

The markets converged on the same rule: 220 mm loops, cleats, tension devices, warning labels. Canada is the strictest, so design to SOR/2017-117 and the other four follow. Where you want to remove the cord question entirely, cordless is exempt everywhere.

For the deeper standards comparison between EN 13120, ANSI/WCMA and SOR, the cord safety standards guide goes further. US market-entry context, including tariffs and Prop 65, sits in the US compliance guide. To source the cordless build, the cordless zebra blinds page lists the line.

Standards referenced here were checked against current obligations in October 2026.