{"id":"F2014L00363","name":"Competition and Consumer (Corded Internal Window Coverings) Safety Standard 2014","slug":"competition-and-consumer-corded-internal-window-coverings-safety-standard-2014","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":128487,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2014L00363-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Competition and Consumer (Corded Internal Window Coverings) Safety Standard 2014","content":"Competition and Consumer (Corded Internal Window Coverings)\n\nSafety Standard 2014\n\nCompetition and Consumer Act 2010\n\nI, Bruce Billson, Minister for Small Business, make the following safety standard under subsection 104 (1) of the Australian Consumer Law, set out in Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.\n\n(Dated) 20 March 2014\n\n(Signature) Bruce Billson\n\n1. Name of safety standard\n\nThis safety standard is the Competition and Consumer (Corded Internal\n\nWindow Coverings) Safety Standard 2014.\n\n2\\. Commencement\n\nThis safety standard commences on 1 January 2015.\n\n3. Purpose\n\nThis safety standard sets out mandatory installation requirements for corded\n\ninternal window coverings.\n\n4. Application\n\nThis safety standard applies to the installation of corded internal window\n\ncoverings in domestic dwellings other than:\n\n(a) caravans; and\n\n(b) mobile homes; and\n\n(c) boats.\n\n5. Definitions\n\nIn this safety standard:\n\ncleat means a device that has a bar with arms around which a cord can be\n\nwound, and that can be attached to a wall or other structure.\n\ncord means a rope, strap, string, chain, line or wire used to manipulate a\n\ncorded internal window covering.\n\ncorded internal window covering means:\n\n(a) a window covering, such as a curtain or blind; or\n\n(b) fittings used with a window covering, such as a traverse rod or track;\n\nthat can be used inside a building and has a cord.\n\ncord guide means a device designed to retract, tension or secure a cord.\n\nretail packaging means the packaging in which a corded internal window\n\ncovering is supplied when it is offered for retail sale.\n\n6. Installation of corded internal window coverings\n\n(1) A corded internal window covering must be installed:\n\n(a) in such a way that a loose cord cannot form a loop 220 mm or\n\nlonger at less than 1,600 mm above floor level; and\n\n(b) using any components specified in the installation instructions as\n\nnecessary to meet requirements for cord safety.\n\n(2) A corded internal window covering must also be installed in accordance\n\nwith:\n\n(a) the installation instructions on any retail packaging for the covering;\n\nand\n\n(b) other information provided in the installation instructions about how to\n\ninstall the corded internal window covering for the purpose of ensuring\n\nthat a loose cord cannot form a loop as described in paragraph (1) (a).\n\n(3) No part of a cord guide may be installed lower than 1,600 mm above floor\n\nlevel unless:\n\n(a) the cord guide will remain firmly attached to a wall or other structure\n\nspecified in the installation instructions when subjected to a tension\n\nforce of 70 N applied in any direction for 10 seconds; and\n\n(b) the cord is sufficiently secured or tensioned to prevent the formation of\n\na loop 220 mm or longer.\n\n(4) A cleat used to secure a cord must be installed at least 1,600 mm above\n\nfloor level.\n\n7. Labelling requirements\n\n(1) A person installing a corded internal window covering must:\n\n(a) attach a label to the corded window covering containing the name and\n\ncontact details of the person or company responsible for the\n\ninstallation; and\n\n(b) ensure that any warning label or swing tag supplied with the corded\n\ninternal window covering remains attached to the cord.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose of preventing child strangulation from window covering cords. The scope covers installation safety requirements for domestic dwellings with only minor exclusions (caravans, mobile homes, boats), which appear to be practical carve-outs for non-standard dwelling types rather than scope creep."},"complexity_factors":["Short document (7 sections, approximately 1.5 pages)","Only 5 defined terms, all straightforward physical objects or concepts","Single clear purpose with minimal exceptions (only 3 exclusions in section 4)","Simple conditional logic limited to one exception in section 6(3) with two sub-conditions","Specific, measurable thresholds (220mm, 1,600mm, 70N, 10 seconds) that are easy to verify","No cross-references to other legislation beyond the enabling provision in the header","No delegated powers or subordinate instruments"],"plain_english_summary":"This law makes safe installation of indoor blinds and curtains with cords mandatory: cords must be secured so they can’t form dangerous loops or be within young children’s reach, installers must follow manufacturer instructions, and required labels and installer contact details must remain attached.\n\nIt applies to professional installers (and indirectly to manufacturers, retailers, and homeowners) in houses, excluding caravans, mobile homes, and boats, to prevent child strangulation injuries and deaths."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument defines its own scope as applying to installation of corded internal window coverings in domestic dwellings and explicitly excludes caravans, mobile homes and boats (s 4). The text contains no statement that it changes or replaces an earlier scope; therefore no change of scope is indicated within this instrument."},"complexity_factors":["Numeric thresholds and tolerances create precise technical requirements (loop length 220 mm; height 1,600 mm; tension test 70 N) (s 6(1)(a), s 6(3)(a), s 6(3)(a)).","Multiple actor obligations: installers must follow packaging/installation instructions and attach identity labels (s 6(2), s 7(1)(a)).","Dependence on manufacturer-supplied installation information and retail packaging introduces variability and compliance risk (s 6(2)(a),(b)).","Engineering/attachment requirement for cord guides (70 N for 10 seconds) imposes testing or supplier certification needs (s 6(3)(a),(b)).","Labelling and record-traceability duty (installer name/contact on label; keeping warning tags attached) creates administrative burden for installers and retailers (s 7(1)).","Definitions are given but introduce scope boundaries that require interpretation (cleat, cord, cord guide, corded internal window covering) (s 5).","Exclusions narrow coverage to typical domestic dwellings and exclude caravans, mobile homes and boats, which affects who must comply (s 4).","The instrument sets installation rules but does not specify enforcement mechanisms or penalties within its text, leaving implementation and compliance oversight to other provisions or agencies."],"plain_english_summary":"This safety standard sets mandatory installation rules for corded internal window coverings in domestic dwellings (excluding caravans, mobile homes and boats). Installations must prevent loose cords forming loops 220 mm or longer below 1,600 mm above the floor and must follow supplied installation instructions.\n\nIt places duties on installers to use specified components, fit cord guides or cleats at required heights (or meet a 70 N tension test), attach installer contact details, and keep warning tags attached — shifting practical compliance tasks and some design/testing costs onto installers and suppliers."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/competition-and-consumer-corded-internal-window-coverings-safety-standard-2014","history":"/api/acts/competition-and-consumer-corded-internal-window-coverings-safety-standard-2014/history","analysis":"/api/acts/competition-and-consumer-corded-internal-window-coverings-safety-standard-2014/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/competition-and-consumer-corded-internal-window-coverings-safety-standard-2014/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/competition-and-consumer-corded-internal-window-coverings-safety-standard-2014/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/competition-and-consumer-corded-internal-window-coverings-safety-standard-2014/documents"}}