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28.7.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
196/21
COMMISSION DECISION
of 27 July 2011
on the safety requirements to be met by European standards to address certain risks posed to
children by internal blinds, corded window coverings and safety devices pursuant to Directive
2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2011/477/EU)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
2010. In the United States 119 fatalities and 111 near-
misses involving corded window coverings were reported
to have occurred since 1999. In Canada, 28 fatalities and
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
23 near-misses have been linked to the same products
Union,
since 1986. In Australia, at least 10 children have been
accidentally strangled by blinds cords since 2000 ( 3 ).
However, these figures capture only a part of the
Having regard to Directive 2001/95/EC of the European
problem, as many such accidents are not reported ( 4 ).
Parliament and of the Council of 3 December 2001 on
general product safety ( 1 ), and in particular Article 4(1)(a)
thereof,
(5) Research
indicates
that
most
accidental
deaths
involving
blind cords happen in bedrooms and the children
concerned are aged between 16 months and 36
Whereas:
months. Over half these accidents happen to children
around 23 months. Although fully mobile at that age,
children find it difficult to free themselves if they become
(1) Under
the
second
subparagraph
of
Article
3(2)
of
entangled in the cords, as their heads still weigh more in
Directive 2001/95/EC, a product is presumed safe
proportion to their bodies compared to adults, and their
when it complies with voluntary national standards
muscular control is not yet fully developed. In addition,
transposing European standards, the references of which
their windpipes have not yet fully developed and are thus
have been published in the Official Journal of the European
smaller and less rigid than in adults and older children,
Union.
so that they suffocate more quickly if their necks are
constricted ( 5 ).
(2) Those
European
standards
are
to
be
established
by
European standardisation bodies on the basis of specific
(6) European standard EN 13120:2009 contains
safety requirements determined by the Commission.
performance requirements for internal blinds, including
safety. However, some models of blinds, which have been
linked to accidents, are not included within the scope of
this standard.
(3) Many
homes
have
blinds
and
other
window
coverings

with cords that are used to raise or lower the product
(operating cord) or to connect its different parts (inner
cord). These cords pose a strangulation hazard to
(7) European
standard
EN
13120:2009
refers
to
both
children, as loops can be formed and children can
manual and power-operated internal blinds, the latter
become entangled in them, while playing near the
being covered in relationship with Directive 2006/42/EC
window. Children can also climb on window sills or
of the European Parliament and of the Council of
furniture to access the cords. Accidents can also
17 May 2006 on machinery ( 6 ). However, this Directive
happen when beds or cots are placed near windows
does not cover child-safety in relation to the specific risk
where cords are within reach of children.
of strangulation and does not apply to corded blinds
manually operated.
(4)
In 1998, in a sample of hospitals in the 15 Member
States of the European Union, 129 children were hospi
(8) Motorisation
can
eliminate
the
risks
associated
with
the
talised due to an injury involving a window blind loop or
operating cords, but not the risks relating to the inner
drapery cord ( 2 ). In the United Kingdom, it is estimated
cords.
that one or two children die every year after becoming
entangled in the cords of a blind. More recently, the
Commission has become aware of 10 fatal accidents
(9) Other
window
coverings
with
hazardous
cords
exposed
involving children aged between 15 and 36 months
pose a similar risk to children.
that occurred in Ireland, Finland, the Netherlands, the
United Kingdom and Turkey in the period 2008 to
( 3 ) http://www.ocba.sa.gov.au/productsafety/warning/blindcords.html
( 4 ) http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/PRHTML97/97136.html
( 1 ) OJ L 11, 15.1.2002, p. 4.
( 5 ) http://www.rospa.com/about/currentcampaigns/blindcords/
( 2 ) http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/reports/rights_child_safety_prod.pdf
( 6 ) OJ L 157, 9.6.2006, p. 24.

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L 196/22
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
28.7.2011
(10) Reports of cord-related accidents give the cause of death
exposed cords. Window coverings can be placed outside the
as internal asphyxiation. Existing European standards
window, or inside two window panels, or in front of a
relating to window coverings and blinds do not
window;
contain requirements to address this risk.
(c) ‘hazardous loop’ shall mean a loop of exposed cord, chain or
(11) To cover the risk of incorrect installation or lack of
similar, combined or not with fabric, and that would fit
installation, manufacturers should improve the design
over the head or around the neck of a young child
of the safety devices or of the window coverings to
creating a strangulation hazard;
prevent the product being used if the safety devices are
not properly installed.
(d) ‘safety devices’ shall mean a device or a design that protects a
young child from the risk of strangulation by, for example,
(12) It
is
therefore
necessary
to
lay
down
safety
requirements
preventing the forming of a hazardous loop in the cord or
to ensure that internal blinds and other corded window
chain, breaking the hazardous loop, releasing a cord or a
coverings are inherently safe for children, eliminating the
chain when a hazardous loop is formed or when the cord
risk of strangulation and internal asphyxiation due to
or a chain is subject to a load, making the cord or chain
accessible cords and small parts.
inaccessible to children, preventing the cords getting
entangled;
(13) In addition to requirements concerning the safe
operation of corded window coverings and blinds,
(e) ‘accessible cord(s), chain(s), ball-chain(s) or similar’ shall mean
requirements and product safety information must be
cord(s), chain(s), ball-chain(s) or similar that are exposed
also developed for the safety devices.
from the front, back or side of the blind or window

covering, and can be reached and pulled by a young
child, creating a strangulation hazard. Height is not
considered as a restriction to accessibility.
(14) The
measures provided for in this Decision are in
accordance with the opinion of the Committee set up
under Article 15 of Directive 2001/95/EC and neither
Article 2
the European Parliament nor the Council has opposed
them,
The safety requirements for internal blinds, corded window
coverings and safety devices to be met by European standards
pursuant to Article 4 of Directive 2001/95/EC are set out in the
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Annex to this Decision.
Article 1
Article 3
For the purposes of this Decision the following definitions shall
This Decision shall enter into force on the 20th day following
apply:
its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
(a) ‘internal blinds’ shall mean a window covering product fitted
Done at Brussels, 27 July 2011.
anywhere within the internal surface of the building;
For the Commission
(b) ‘corded window coverings’ shall mean a product used to cover
The President
a window, other than an internal blind, which features
José Manuel BARROSO

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EN
28.7.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
196/23
ANNEX
Safety requirements for internal blinds, corded window coverings and safety devices
1. SCOPE
The safety requirements detailed in this document shall apply to all internal blinds and corded window coverings
whatever their design and the nature of the materials used, such as:
— Venetian blinds,
— roller blinds,
— vertical blinds,
— pleated and honeycomb blinds,
— Roman Shades,
— Austrian/Festoon blinds,
— panel blinds,
— plantation shutters,
— roll-up blinds.
Draperies, insect screens and blinds in sealed-glazed units, if operated with cords, chains and ball-chains or similar, which
are accessible and form a hazardous loop are also subject to these requirements.
These safety requirements shall refer to children (young children) aged from 0 to 42 months as a minimum.
2. REQUIREMENTS
In defining performance requirements for internal blinds and corded window coverings, it is essential to consider their
reasonable foreseeable conditions of use, and the potential hazards that can result from accessible cord(s), chain(s), ball-
chain(s) or similar to children.
In order to reduce the risk of strangulation and internal asphyxiation internal window blinds (and corded window
coverings) shall be of an inherently safe design. Every possible means, based in the state of the art and technology,
shall be considered for the safe design of the product, when used in all reasonably foreseeable environments where young
children have access to or are likely to be present, such as, for example, homes, hotels, hospitals, churches, shops, schools,
nurseries, and public places in general. Blinds and window coverings to be fitted in offices or any other place, which is
transformed from its initial destination and where young children are likely to be present, shall also be subject to the
present requirements.
Internal blinds and corded window coverings that have accessible cord(s), chain(s), ball-chain(s) or similar shall comply
with the following minimum requirements:
1. cord(s), chain(s), ball-chain(s) and similar shall not form a hazardous loop;
2. if the design of the product does not eliminate the risk that a hazardous loop is formed, the product shall be provided
with appropriate safety devices, to minimise the risk of strangulation;
3. safety devices shall be provided as an integral part of the product;
4. safety devices which are non-integral (such as cleats) shall be pre-installed on the operating cord(s) or chain(s) or ball-
chain(s) of the blind or window covering. In addition, a warning shall be conspicuously displayed on the safety device.
The warning shall convey at least the following messages: ‘Children can strangle if this device is not installed. Read
carefully the instructions and install accordingly. Always use this device to keep cords or chains out of reach of
children’.
5. if present, the safety device(s) shall be resistant to the operation by young children. In addition, the safety device(s)
shall not pose risks of physical injuries to children, due, for example, to sharp edges, entrapment of fingers or
protruding parts. The safety devices shall also sustain durability and fatigue tests (wear and tear) and shall be
resistant to ageing due to weather conditions. The safety device shall not release small parts that could result in
internal asphyxiation of the child.

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L 196/24
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
28.7.2011
6. cord(s), chain(s), ball-chain(s) and similar shall not release small parts which could result in internal asphyxiation of the
child.
3. PRODUCT SAFETY INFORMATION
Warnings shall be provided, in a clear and conspicuous way at the point of sale, on the package, on the product and in
the information for use. The warnings shall convey at least the following:
— ‘Young children have been strangled by loops in pull-cords, chains and tapes, and cords that operate the product’,
— ‘To avoid strangulation and entanglement, keep cords out of the reach of young children. Cords may become wrapped
around a child’s neck’,
— ‘Move beds, cots and furniture away from window covering cords’,
— ‘Do not tie cords together. Make sure cords do not twist and create a loop’.
The warnings shall include the relevant pictogram.
The name or trademark of the manufacturer or importer and professional installer (if any) shall also be displayed on the
product.
Instructions for assembling, installing and safely using the blind or the window covering (including the safety device(s))
shall be included in the package.
4. REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFETY DEVICES INTENDED FOR RETROFITTING
Internal blinds or corded window coverings fitted with the relevant safety device(s), shall fulfil the requirements set out in
section 2.
The safety device(s) shall be accompanied by the following warnings, information and instructions:
— the name or trademark of the manufacturer or importer and professional installer (if any),
— the instructions: ‘Read these instructions carefully before installing and using the device. Children can be strangled if the device is
not installed correctly. Keep the instructions for future reference’ ‘Use of additional safety devices helps reduce the risk of
strangulation but cannot be considered entirely foolproof’,
— the instructions: ‘Test the device if not used regularly’ and ‘Replace the device if it is faulty’,
— a warning that the release of small parts could result in the internal asphyxiation of the child,
— information on the type of internal blind or corded window covering for which the product is designed and tested,
— information on the use (purpose, and possible limitations of the safety device),
— precise instructions on correct installation and location of the device(s). If a special assembly tool is needed, it shall be
provided by the supplier of the device(s),
— the instructions shall be accompanied by pictograms to facilitate understanding,
— any other information for safe use.

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