JANUARY 2023 (Tualatin, OR) – This coming May, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will implement new mandatory federal safety standards impacting cord use in all windowcoverings produced going forward. The regulation, eliminating all operational cords on windowcoverings, is an effort to prevent cord-related incidents involving young children and pets.

Hartmann&Forbes, maker of sustainable natural window and wall coverings, has always supported the effort to advance the safety of windowcoverings and, since its founding, has strictly adhered to the industry-established guidelines in each country they serve. As such, the company has been preparing for this inevitability in the North American markets for some time and is excited to broaden its motorized and automated product line to meet these new regulations. Hartmann&Forbes will continue to innovate new styles and systems that genuinely blend art and technology, creating not only the safest product on the market but the most luxurious product as well.

“Our high standards for both our product and personal integrity compel us to build products that meet or exceed the industry expectations, delivering the safest and most healthful window coverings possible,” explains Michael Jones, Hartmann&Forbes Founder.

The U.S. CPSC will impose these new mandatory safety standards on all products sold by the windowcovering industry, with an effective date of May 30, 2023. Hartmann&Forbes recognizes that while it must ensure it is meeting and exceeding these new standards, educating designers who specify windowcoverings is paramount. As a result, the company plans to offer an automation CEU throughout the spring to help designers understand what they need to know and what their methods of operation options are going forward.

These changes may be modified over the coming months, but Hartmann&Forbes remains dedicated to ensuring it has the latest information to inform its showrooms and designers. In addition, the brand will continue to develop tools to help its partners communicate these changes to their clients over the coming months.