Question about side impact testing

HappyMommy · Apr 23, 2010

From what I understand, and correct me if I am wrong, there are no standards for side impact testing so when a car seat manufacturer says that its seats are side impact tested, it does not mean much because we don't know how they tested their seats and what the results were, and even if we knew, we would not be able to compare results anyway.
But, I am intrigued by the fact that some companies seem to specify what kind of side impact testing they have done. For example, the TF is side impact tested "to international standards". What does that mean? What international standards are they talking about??? Graco states that the MR is side impact tested for "occupant retention by harness system" which apparently means that the child should stay in the seat in a side impact crash. But why is Graco actually specifying this? Are they saying: we can tell you that your child will stay in the restraint, but we cannot tell you that your child will be ok??? or: we did not bother looking at other issues that could arise during a side impact crash, we only looked at occupant retention? If so, why would they advertise that? I am confused..
Can anyone shed some light on this?

ketchupqueen · Apr 23, 2010

Europe has some SIP standards (for both cars and CRs.) There may be others too. But since we don't know WHAT international standard or "occupant retention" standard they're using, you're right, we STILL don't know what it means, and have to trust it will do its job. Hopefully in the not too distant future we'll have a standardized SI standard here; we seem to be working toward it, but it may take 10 years or more. We'll see.

Frankly, they try to sell their product. So they say whatever they can get away with that will sell the seat to parents.

carseatcoach · Apr 24, 2010

In the US, there are no standards for side impact testing. There's even a backless booster that (legally) claims "side impact protection". Don't put a lot of faith in terms like "true side impact protection" that were developed in the marketing department and not the engineering department. Do keep in mind that rear-facing is the best side impact protection available, then harnessing. Look for seats that contain the child's head (deep sides or wings). Energy-absorbing foam near the head may provide some protection.