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.

Cord Safety Standards: EN 13120 vs ANSI/WCMA vs SOR/2017-117

Published 2026-09-20 · Last updated 2026-10-21 · By Yuehua Blinds · 7 min read · 162 views

Window blind cords are one of the leading causes of accidental death among young children, which is why every major market has turned cord safety from a voluntary standard into a market-access requirement. For a B2B buyer, the useful comparison is between the EU's EN 13120, the US ANSI/WCMA A100.1 (now enforced through CPSC 16 CFR 1260) and Canada's SOR/2017-117. They share the same intent - cut accessible cord loops - but the test mechanics and paperwork differ.

Key takeaways

EN 13120:2009+A1:2014 is mandatory across the EU and pairs a cord release device with child safety pictograms. It requires a Declaration of Conformity, the CE mark and 10 years of technical files.
ANSI/WCMA A100.1 is technically voluntary but effectively mandatory - the CPSC references it in 16 CFR Part 1260, and Home Depot, Lowe's and Walmart require it. Third-party test reports are the proof.
SOR/2017-117 is fully mandatory Canadian law, caps free cord length at about 20 cm and bans fixed looped cords. Warning labels must run in English and French.
Cordless products - spring, push-pull, motorized - are defined and exempt in all three regimes, and retailers are shifting shelf space toward them.

EU: EN 13120

EN 13120, Interior blinds - Performance requirements including safety, was first published in 2004 and revised to its current EN 13120:2009+A1:2014. It is mandatory for every interior blind sold in the EU.

Operating cords are held within specified free-length limits.
A cord release device must open under a defined pull force, so a child cannot stay entangled.
Packaging and instructions carry child safety warnings and pictograms.
Installation guidance keeps cords out of children's reach.
Cordless mechanisms are actively preferred.

Manufacturers issue a Declaration of Conformity to EN 13120, affix the CE mark and keep technical documentation for 10 years for market surveillance.

United States: ANSI/WCMA A100.1

ANSI/WCMA A100.1, the American National Standard for Safety of Corded Window Covering Products, is developed by the Window Covering Manufacturers Association. It is voluntary on paper but effectively mandatory in practice.

CPSC's 16 CFR Part 1260 (mandatory since August 2024) references its test methods.
Major retailers - Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart - require supplier products to comply.
Accessible cord length is strictly limited; wall tension devices prevent looped cords.
Permanent warning labels and a clear cordless product definition are required.

Proof is a third-party laboratory test report. CPSC can inspect market product and force recall of non-compliant goods.

Canada: SOR/2017-117

SOR/2017-117, the Window Coverings Regulations, is enacted by Health Canada under the CCPSA and came into force in 2017. It is law, not a standard.

Free operating cord length must not exceed about 20 cm (roughly 8 inches).
Mechanisms that form fixed looped cords are prohibited.
A pull-release device is required.
Warning labels follow a specified format, in English and French.

Health Canada can inspect, seize and prosecute. Technical documentation and test reports must be retained.

The three standards compared

Dimension	EU EN 13120	US ANSI/WCMA A100.1	Canada SOR/2017-117
Status	Mandatory EU harmonized	Voluntary, effectively mandatory	Mandatory federal regulation
Regulator	Commission / market surveillance	CPSC	Health Canada
Cord limit	Specified free-length limits	Specified accessible limits	Free cord about 20 cm
Release device	Required	Tension device required	Required
Warning labels	Packaging and instructions	Permanently attached	Specified format, bilingual
Cordless	Preferred	Defined and exempt	Partially exempt
Mark / proof	CE plus DoC	Test report plus label	Technical file plus report

Why cordless now dominates

All three regimes keep tightening, and cordless removes the hazard at the source.
Major US retailers prioritize cordless; some plan to phase out corded product.
Parents increasingly choose cordless for children's rooms.
Spring-assisted, push-pull and motorized mechanisms have matured enough to sell on convenience, not just safety.

We ship cordless lines - the cordless zebra blinds are the standard example - and fit tension devices during production. For North American and EU programs, the cordless SKU carries lower compliance risk and aligns with retailer shelf policy.

Bottom line

Match the standard to the destination: EN 13120 for the EU, ANSI/WCMA through 16 CFR 1260 for the US, SOR/2017-117 for Canada. Ask for third-party test reports and permanent warning labels with every order, and shift the mix toward cordless where the retailer pushes for it.

For the five-market comparison including the UK and Australia, the global cord safety comparison has the table. US tariffs and Prop 65 sit in the US compliance guide. To source the cordless build, the cordless zebra blinds page lists the line.

Standard clauses summarized here are for orientation; always check the latest official versions. Standards referenced were checked against current obligations in October 2026.