On December 3, 2010, the WCMA, Window Covering Manufacturing Association, in conjunction with government regulators, has put into place restrictions on the construction of Roman Shades. I know this because I am the owner of a fabric showroom. What has the industry done? Well they have mandated "safety compliant" hardware for Roman Shades constructed after Dec 3.
What has changed? Well Roman shades may no longer be made in the manner they have been since, well probably the time of the Romans. The cords must now be eliminated or encased. Why? because, unfortunately there are a handful of deaths each year in the United States by infants who become entangled in the cords, while their parents are out of the room. And because, if the Association had not voluntarily enacted these new standards the hot-to-regulate federal government likely would have forced the issue.
So the infants benefit by the new rule but who else does? Large hardware manufacturers who produce the new safety compliant equipment.
Who suffers from the new rules?
Consumers, including those who don't even have children because they will have to pay more for Roman Shades regardless.
And small mom and pop workrooms who lose businesses because they can't get the new hardware, or their customers won't pay the increased cost.
Is the change worth it? I can't say. Could a reduction in deaths have been accomplished through voluntary public education-- you know, putting a tag on conventionally made shades and urging parents to supervise their children? Probably, but I can't say for sure. But I can say that the new regulations are indeed costly. I can also say that as citizens, we should carefully look at the cost/benefit analysis of any new safety measure. You hear some saying about proposed safety measures, "it's worth it if it saves even one life" just before they place some new restriction on your life. But is that really true? Putting the speed limit at 20mph everywhere will undoubtedly save thousands of lives every year (including many children) but is that what we want to do? Is it worth it?
Something to think about.
Best Wishes,
Bernie
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