Type Approval of child restraint systems - UNECE Regulation n. 44 and n. 129

The Scope:

This Regulation applies to child restraint systems which are suitable for installation in powerdriven vehicles having three or more wheels, and which are not intended for use with folding (tip-up) or with side-facing seats.

What is the purpose of the Regulations?

Child restraint system means an arrangement of components which may comprise the combination of straps or flexible components with a securing buckle, adjusting devices, attachments and in some cases a supplementary device as a carry-cot, infant carrier, a supplementary chair and/or an impact shield, capable of being anchored to a power-driven vehicle. It is so designed as to diminish the risk of injury to the wearer, in the event of a collision or of abrupt deceleration of the vehicle, by limiting the mobility of the wearer’s body.

What about the application of type approval?

The application for approval of a type of child restraint shall be submitted by the holder of the trade mark or by his duly accredited representative. The application for approval, relating to each type of child restraint, shall be accompanied by:

• a technical description of the child restraint, specifying the straps and other materials used, and accompanied by drawings of the parts making up the child restraint and in the case of retractors;
• installation instructions for these retractors and their sensing devices;
• declaration on toxicity and flammability;?
• the drawings must show the position intended for the approval number and additional symbol(s) in relation to the circle of the approval mark;
• The description shall mention the colour of the model submitted for approval.

What is the i-Size regulation?

Is a safety regulation for child car seats, known as Regulation 129 (R129), that?replace the?UN Regulation 44, which has been in place since over 30 years.

What are the major improvements for the transportation of children in cars?

Integral harness ISOFIX (CRS for younger children, Isofix attached) that are produced based on the new i-size Regulation provide the following major improvements for the transportation of children in cars:

• Reduces misuse (there is less risk of incorrect installation);
• Requires rearward-facing transport until the child is 15 months of age;
• Simplifies classification based on stature (height) of the child, not mass (weight);
• Provides side impact protection;
• Better compatibility car-CRS: I-size CRS will fit in any I-size ready seating position in a car (a vehicle fitting list will no longer be required).
• Both CRS andseating position can be recognised by the i-Size logo.

What are the main differences between the two regulations?

UN R44

• No side-impact protection;
• Forward-facing allowed as of 9 kg.;
• Mass based classification;
• Isofix & belt use;
• Requires checking of vehicle lists for semi-universal, space requirements etc.

UN R129

• Side impact protection;
• Rearward-facing mandatory until 15 months;
• Stature based classification, not mass;

Regulation No. 129 Technical provisions:

• Front impact 50 km/h – 21-28 G, more demanding criteria;
• Rear impact 30 km/h 14-21 G;
• Side impact: 24 km/h start 13-15 G with an intruding door;
• Label on forward facing (FF) product: no FF before 15 months;
• Phase 1: i-Size: ISOFIX only & birth to 105cm (can go above 105cm as well);
• Universal (Support leg or top tether);
• Car specific;
• No groups: Classification based on stature and max. occupant mass;
• Use of new child dummies.

ATS Group, thanks to a network of?accredited and recognized test laboratories, is able to perform reliability and type approval tests of child restraint systems, in compliance with the main national and international standards or according to specific customer requests.

ATS Group?adapts and conforms strictly to the standards of?ISO 17025, and performs the tests required by the regulatory acts for which it has also been designated in the infrastructures of a manufacturer or a third party, in the field of Automotive, in order to respond in the best possible way to the needs of manufacturers and to be more in line with what is required by the Regulations.

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ATS Group

Website: ats-group.org

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +39 045 585023