News Car Seat Shortages Feared as companies Comply to new Canadian Standards

Lea_Ontario

Well-known member
I personally am not comfortable responding.

-N.

I hadn't seen the request on here - I got an email from the same person from the Globe & Mail though.

I did respond, but also passed the request on to someone locally with more experience (also, she's an instructor).
 
ADS

dogmelissa

New member
I emailed all the manufacturers (except SK & Britax) to ask them if they'll have seats that meet the new req's. So far only 2 responses

:"Hi Melissa, 

Any car seats produced specifically to comply with Canadian standards should be sold by Babies R Us or Wal-mart.  Please check with the retailers for updates.  

Sincerely,
Diane J
Baby Trend Customer Service". (Came with an American mailing addy, so obviously this person has no idea what I actually wanted to know.)

"Good Afternoon,
Thank you for taking the time to email your enquiry. As of January 1st, 2011, all car seats manufactured and imported into Canada must comply with the new testing requirements.  

The new regulations have no bearing on previous models manufactured and imported into Canada.  The National Safety Mark label signifies that the car seat has been approved for sale in Canada.  

Provided that your unit has this label, it is legal in Canada, regardless of whether it was tested under the old, or new regulations.  Any car seats manufactured and tested to the new regulations, although potentially different from current seats, may have a relatively non noticeable minor variation from the car seats currently being sold.  There is no evidence that such variations will make the new car seats any safer than those presently sold in Canada.

Currently there are no car seats that meet the new regulations, however within the new year we expect there to be new models available that do meet the new requirements but we are unsure of when they will be available.

The 2 main reasons why there is a question surrounding the availability of seats for this are
1.       There is only one compliance lab to test the car seats
2.       Insufficient amount of time given prior to the implementation of the new regulations.

Manufacturers are trying diligently to make the necessary modifications to ensure that the broadest selection possible.

Should you require further assistance or information do not hesitate to contact us. We may be reached at 1-800-667-8184, Monday to Friday 8:30-5:00pm. Any of our representatives will gladly assist you.  

Best Regards,
Consumer Services
Elfe Juvenile Products"
Indirectly told me what I wanted but also gave a lot of good info! Here's what I like: "The new regulations have no bearing on previous models manufactured and imported into Canada. ... There is no evidence that such variations will make the new car seats any safer than those presently sold in Canada."

Older vehicles with lap-only belts weren't recalled when the requirement for shoulder belts came in. Nor when air bags were introduced. Nor when the 2nd generation air bags came out. My 1990 car is terrifyingly unsafe compared to a new car, but I'm not about to rush out and buy a new car just because my current car doesn't meet current safety standards. I would think that some parents will rush out and replace their seats (though hope they're smart enough to check the DOM), but these are the same people who *have to* have a brand new vehicle every year or two - so they probably have money to burn. I'm not going to worry about it: its making news now but by January I'm sure the media will have forgotten all about it.

If/when I hear back from any others I will post it.
Melissa
 

dogmelissa

New member
Another email today:

"Hello Melissa

In regards to your email, I would like to advise you that yes our car seat does meet the Transport Canada standards. More specifically it is called the Primo Viaggio SIP Infant Car Seat.

If you have any further questions or concerns please contact our customer service dept at 1 800 661 5050.

Thank you
Yolanda
Peg Perego Canada Inc."
 

TechnoGranola

Forum Ambassador
Another email today:

"Hello Melissa

In regards to your email, I would like to advise you that yes our car seat does meet the Transport Canada standards. More specifically it is called the Primo Viaggio SIP Infant Car Seat.

If you have any further questions or concerns please contact our customer service dept at 1 800 661 5050.

Thank you
Yolanda
Peg Perego Canada Inc."
But do they mean the new January standards, or the current standards?


Currently there are no car seats that meet the new regulations, however within the new year we expect there to be new models available that do meet the new requirements but we are unsure of when they will be available.

The 2 main reasons why there is a question surrounding the availability of seats for this are
1.       There is only one compliance lab to test the car seats
2.       Insufficient amount of time given prior to the implementation of the new regulations.

Manufacturers are trying diligently to make the necessary modifications to ensure that the broadest selection possible.

It's unclear whether Graco/Elfe means they haven't tested any of the current seats or they have and they didn't pass. And when they say "no car seats that meet the new regulations" do they mean "no Graco seats" or no seats by any manufacturer.

Also, I thought manufacturers knew about this for a long time? and Graco/Elfe is saying they weren't give much notice?
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
It's quite possible they knew about it for a long time but still didn't have sufficient time because of the testing taking so long, right? Or, they knew changes were coming but weren't told specifically what would be final, so didn't want to move on it until it was final?
 

unityco

Ambassador - CPS Technician
1.       There is only one compliance lab to test the car seats

It's my understanding that's not true... I thought Trudy said they don't have to be tested by TC at TC's facility. They can run their own tests (at any accredited lab anywhere in the world, I would imagine,) and submit their results for approval. I call BS on Graco/Elfe (but they're never in a hurry to do anything for Canada - remember how long it took to get the Nautilus? :thumbsdown:)

Their whole letter sounds like a lot of PR manipulation to me. :whistle:
 

sparkyd

Active member
It's my understanding that's not true... I thought Trudy said they don't have to be tested by TC at TC's facility. They can run their own tests (at any accredited lab anywhere in the world, I would imagine,) and submit their results for approval. I call BS on Graco/Elfe (but they're never in a hurry to do anything for Canada - remember how long it took to get the Nautilus? :thumbsdown:)

Their whole letter sounds like a lot of PR manipulation to me. :whistle:

What I've heard is that they CAN use a variety of labs, but in this instance they WANT to use the one TC uses themselves when they do their own testing, and that lab is super booked. "They" being manufacturers in general - presumably the ones that don't have their own labs. Seems all is not equal at the various labs here and there.
 

dogmelissa

New member
Shortages? Not based on this:

"Dear Melissa,

Thank you for contacting Dorel Juvenile Group Consumer Relations.

Yes, our carseats are already in compliance with the new regulations per Transport Canada.

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any concerns or questions about your product and we will be more than happy to assist you. You may contact our Consumer Relations Department at 800-544-1108, Monday - Thursday from 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM EST. and Fridays 7:00 - 4:30 PM. To contact us direct, please call 812-372-0141 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

Thank you,
Janelle

Consumer Specialist CPST
Dorel Juvenile Group"



Melissa
 

dogmelissa

New member
This one is a bit confusing....
"Hi Melissa,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding Evenflo Car Seats. All car seats purchased in Canada will be up to date with all Canadian standards for the next 6 years.


I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.


Thank you for contacting Evenflo ParentLink. I appreciate the time you took to email us.

Angela Hicks

Senior ParentLink Representative

Evenflo Company"
 

snowbird25ca

Moderator - CPST Instructor
This one is a bit confusing....
"Hi Melissa,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding Evenflo Car Seats. All car seats purchased in Canada will be up to date with all Canadian standards for the next 6 years.


I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.


Thank you for contacting Evenflo ParentLink. I appreciate the time you took to email us.

Angela Hicks

Senior ParentLink Representative

Evenflo Company"

Interesting. Sounds to me like she's saying they meet current standards and those seats will be usable for the next 6 years? :confused:
 

dogmelissa

New member
I thought they might have just meant that they're good until they expire, regardless of any changes to the regulations, but it's very very confusing.

And another email today... I'm truly starting to wonder who the extension is for because only one company, who makes one seat, has said they won't be ready!

Hi Melissa,

Thank you for your email. Any of our car seat models sold in Canada at major retailers after January 1, 2011 will meet all the new guidelines. We can not guarantee that second hand stores will follow the regulations.

Regards,
Emma, Consumer Services
Learning Curve"

Ok, the second hand store thing scares the poop out of me!! Is she suggesting that it's ok to buy a used car seat or that they sell NEW seats at consignment stores? I don't know and I'm afraid to ask. But at least they're on board with the new reg's too.

Melissa
 

tam_shops

New member
How great that the paper is looking for techs to actually answer! Would have been fun to read the thread!

Thought the entire thing was delayed, but i didn't understand what exactly being delayed *meant*?

tam
 

Keeanh

Well-known member
Ok, the second hand store thing scares the poop out of me!! Is she suggesting that it's ok to buy a used car seat or that they sell NEW seats at consignment stores? I don't know and I'm afraid to ask. But at least they're on board with the new reg's too.

Melissa

I don't think she's saying it's okay. I think she's just saying she can guarantee any of their seats being sold in a regular store will be compliant. But she can't guarantee that re-sale stores will only sell compliant stuff. I don't see any personal or company opinion there. Just a statement of fact.
 

dogmelissa

New member
I don't think she's saying it's okay. I think she's just saying she can guarantee any of their seats being sold in a regular store will be compliant. But she can't guarantee that re-sale stores will only sell compliant stuff. I don't see any personal or company opinion there. Just a statement of fact.

She should have just left that off there - or said something about how it's really not a good idea to buy a used seat. :(

Melissa
 

tam_shops

New member
Can you really guarantee any of the seats you buy at a store that takes returns hasn't been in an accident? I'm especially thinking of the cheaper stores that will take back anything. You buy the seat, get into an accident that day, don't want to deal w/ it & return it the next day. I know it's unlikely, but really is possible...It kind of scared me when I bought our LBB at Zellers...

tam
 

snowbird25ca

Moderator - CPST Instructor
She should have just left that off there - or said something about how it's really not a good idea to buy a used seat. :(

Melissa

I think it was really just a statement of fact. Lots of places sell used carseats, and she doesn't want to make a blanket statement that all their seats on store shelves January 1st will meet standards when consignment stores exist. She's just trying to be accurate with the answer... wasn't really a place to mention not buying a used seat IMO since that wasn't the topic of the conversation. :shrug-shoulders:
 

snowbird25ca

Moderator - CPST Instructor
And another email today... I'm truly starting to wonder who the extension is for because only one company, who makes one seat, has said they won't be ready!

I've seen 3 based on this thread:

-baby trend
-graco
-evenflo (she skirted the question by saying "currently" and "6 years")

Britax isn't compliant in labels and manuals yet, but they can change that easily enough...

I was disappointed to see a Nov 2010 date of manufacture Evenflo Chase come in with a 20lb minimum ff'ing limit. I think manufacturers were counting on getting that extra year - I would've really expected that the 20lb minimum ff'ing only seats would've been raised with that recent a DOM.
 

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