Car seat manufacturers must now meet stricter testing requirements aimed at increasing safety for children. Some of the updates align with rules in the U.S., and some are specific to Canada.
Transport Canada lists the major changes in a recent news release:
- a new testing requirement using a three-point seatbelt to secure car seats;
- changes to the seats’ dynamic testing to adopt most U.S. parameters;
- changing the definition of an infant to any child weighing up to 10 kg, rather than nine kg;
- increasing the maximum weight limit of child seats to 30 kg from 22 kg;
- introducing dynamic testing requirements for booster seats;
- allowing harnesses to be used on school buses by special-needs children.
Parents are encouraged to be aware of the guidelines for child car seats. Appropriate size, manufacture date, and proper installation are all important considerations.
The news release says there’s no need to replace a car seat now that these updated requirements are in effect. But parents are urged to buy a new one if their child’s car seat has been involved in a collision, or if the seat’s materials are damaged.
For More Information:
- Updated child car seat safety regulations come into force, Transport Canada
