JaRylan
New member
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 10:42 PM
To: Road Safety Web Mail
Subject: Question about forward-facing weight limits for harnessed child restraints.
Hello,
I was told by someone at SGI that Transport Canada would be issuing an intent to change the standards for forward facing child restraints to a weight limit of 65lbs and that the change would come into effect April 1, 2007. Can you please comment on this.
I have a 4 1/4 year old child with special needs who can not ride safely or properly in a booster and he needs to be in a 5-point harness for as long as possible. A higher forward facing weight limit would open up so many options for him and his safety.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Transport Canada's response...finally.
Regulations Clerk - ASFB - Commis aux règlements <RegulationsClerk-ASFB-Commisauxreglements@tc.gc.ca>
to me
show details
12:23 pm (24 minutes ago)
In reply to your recent e-mail, under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, Transport Canada administers regulations for the safety performance of vehicles, tires and other products such as booster cushions and restraint systems that are sold in Canada. You can find the applicable federal regulations for restraint systems at the following Transport Canada website: http://www.tc.gc.ca/acts-regulations/GENERAL/M/mvsa/regulations/rssr/rssr.htm.
Currently in the Canadian regulations, child restraints are specified for children having a weight between 20 lbs and 48 lbs. Child restraints and booster cushions have been specified for these weight limits, as child restraints are designed to be installed using either the universal anchorage system or the vehicle seat belt. Once a child has outgrown its child restraint system (i.e. seat with an internal harness), the Department continues to recommend that a child use a booster cushion with the vehicle seat belt assembly. Note that a booster cushion is not permitted to have an internal harness system.
New vehicles are now equipped with universal anchorage systems, often found in the seat belt area of the rear seating positions. These attachment points, along with a top tether anchor, often found at the top rear shelf of the vehicle, are recommended to be used to secure child restraints in vehicles. These anchors have been designed to accommodate children weighing 48 lbs as a minimum.
While the Department's research supports the use of child restraints that can accommodate a child weighing more than 48 lbs, the Department has been concerned with respect to the misuse potential for these heavier child restraints if they are incorrectly attached to the universal anchorage system. It is important to underline that not all child restraints for kids over 48 lbs have a label or instructions informing the parents to use the vehicle seat belt to secure the child restraint when the child reaches 48 lbs.
You may be pleased to know that the Department is in the final stages of addressing this misuse concern. When this review is complete and the Department has developed and published a requirement for users to be informed of the proper use of child restraints, they will then be permitted for sale in Canada. We expect the publication to be completed in the months to come. If manufacturers choose to sell in Canada, you will soon have access to child restraints that can accommodate children up to 65 lbs.
Should you require additional information or clarification on this matter, please do not hesitate to call the Road Safety Information Centre at 1-800-333-0371.
Regulations Officer / Agent de règlements
Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate / Sécurité routière et réglementation automobile
Transport Canada / Transports Canada
MotorVehicleStandardsResearch@tc.gc.ca
- Hide quoted text -
To: Road Safety Web Mail
Subject: Question about forward-facing weight limits for harnessed child restraints.
Hello,
I was told by someone at SGI that Transport Canada would be issuing an intent to change the standards for forward facing child restraints to a weight limit of 65lbs and that the change would come into effect April 1, 2007. Can you please comment on this.
I have a 4 1/4 year old child with special needs who can not ride safely or properly in a booster and he needs to be in a 5-point harness for as long as possible. A higher forward facing weight limit would open up so many options for him and his safety.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Transport Canada's response...finally.
Regulations Clerk - ASFB - Commis aux règlements <RegulationsClerk-ASFB-Commisauxreglements@tc.gc.ca>
to me
show details
12:23 pm (24 minutes ago)
In reply to your recent e-mail, under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, Transport Canada administers regulations for the safety performance of vehicles, tires and other products such as booster cushions and restraint systems that are sold in Canada. You can find the applicable federal regulations for restraint systems at the following Transport Canada website: http://www.tc.gc.ca/acts-regulations/GENERAL/M/mvsa/regulations/rssr/rssr.htm.
Currently in the Canadian regulations, child restraints are specified for children having a weight between 20 lbs and 48 lbs. Child restraints and booster cushions have been specified for these weight limits, as child restraints are designed to be installed using either the universal anchorage system or the vehicle seat belt. Once a child has outgrown its child restraint system (i.e. seat with an internal harness), the Department continues to recommend that a child use a booster cushion with the vehicle seat belt assembly. Note that a booster cushion is not permitted to have an internal harness system.
New vehicles are now equipped with universal anchorage systems, often found in the seat belt area of the rear seating positions. These attachment points, along with a top tether anchor, often found at the top rear shelf of the vehicle, are recommended to be used to secure child restraints in vehicles. These anchors have been designed to accommodate children weighing 48 lbs as a minimum.
While the Department's research supports the use of child restraints that can accommodate a child weighing more than 48 lbs, the Department has been concerned with respect to the misuse potential for these heavier child restraints if they are incorrectly attached to the universal anchorage system. It is important to underline that not all child restraints for kids over 48 lbs have a label or instructions informing the parents to use the vehicle seat belt to secure the child restraint when the child reaches 48 lbs.
You may be pleased to know that the Department is in the final stages of addressing this misuse concern. When this review is complete and the Department has developed and published a requirement for users to be informed of the proper use of child restraints, they will then be permitted for sale in Canada. We expect the publication to be completed in the months to come. If manufacturers choose to sell in Canada, you will soon have access to child restraints that can accommodate children up to 65 lbs.
Should you require additional information or clarification on this matter, please do not hesitate to call the Road Safety Information Centre at 1-800-333-0371.
Regulations Officer / Agent de règlements
Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate / Sécurité routière et réglementation automobile
Transport Canada / Transports Canada
MotorVehicleStandardsResearch@tc.gc.ca
- Hide quoted text -