(Attachment)Amendment of Testing Methods for Child Restraint System (CRS)

　(Attachment)Amendment of Testing Methods for Child
　Restraint System (CRS)

1.Background of the Revision

In view of the emergence in May 1999 of defects connected with the CRS manufactured by LEAMAN Corporation and a variety of questions related to current testing methods, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) conducted a study of the testing methods for CRS. Taking account of the study's findings, MOT has decided to amend the type designation enforcement procedure for devices and technical standard for CRS so as to further improve the safety of CRS. The amendment is scheduled to take place at the end of 1999.

2.Outline of the Amendment

(1) Addition of dynamic test of CRS anchored by three-point seat belt (revised in view of the defects of the CRS manufactured by LEAMAN Corporation).

With respect to CRS that can be anchored by either a two-point seat belt (i.e. lap only seat belt) or three-point seat belt (i.e. lap and shoulder seat belt), testing has previously been conducted on anchorage by a two-point seat belt. However, the findings of the MOT study revealed that in some cases, anchorage of the CRS by means of a two-point seat belt may be subjected to more rigorous conditions, and in other cases, anchorage of the CRS by means of a three-point seat belt may be subjected to more rigorous conditions. As a result, MOT will mandate the testing of both anchorage methods, i.e., both testing of CRS anchored by means of a two-point seat belt and by means of a three-point seat belt.

(2) Other revisions related to the dynamic testing method (revised in view of issues raised by the manufacturers of CRS, etc.)

1) Restriction of test seat and harmonization of evaluation criteria With respect to seats used for testing, it is now permissible to use either test seats prescribed under JIS-D0401 (hereinafter: "JIS seat"), or to use test seats prescribed under ECE Regulation No. 44 (hereinafter: "ECE seat").*
Safety evaluation criteria for collisions cover both the displacement of the head of the dummy as well as the acceleration of the head and chest of the dummy. The findings of the MOT study, with respect to the two types of CRS used in the study, revealed that the displacement of the head of the dummy is approximately the same when either the JIS or the ECE seat is used. However, the acceleration of the head and chest of the dummy in the case of the ECE seat is more severe than that of the JIS seat and more closely resembles the acceleration of the head and chest of the dummy in a seat of a real motor vehicle. Thus, the study revealed that the ECE seat more closely reflects normal usage conditions.
Therefore, MOT has decided to restrict the seat used for testing purposes to the ECE seat, which more closely resembles actual vehicle seats, and to harmonize the evaluation criteria with those of the ECE Regulation No. 44.

2) Harmonization of the evaluation criteria related to CRS for specific motor vehicles

The evaluation criteria with respect to CRS designed for the purpose of being installed in specific motor vehicles will be harmonized with those of the ECE Regulation No. 44.

(3) Requirement concerning the content that must be stated in instruction manuals (revision so as to inform the user of the proper method of handling CRS)

Requirement concerning the content of the instruction manual will be added to type designation enforcement procedure for devices, etc. in the interest of preventing misuse of CRS. The content of the requirement will be harmonized with that of the ECE Regulation No. 44.

3.Dates of Application of the Amendment

The dates of application of the amendment will be set as follows , taking account of the minimum lead time required by the manufacturers of CRS to allow development of products that comply with the amended regulation.

Amendment referred to above in 2., (1) (Addition of dynamic test of CRS anchored by three-point seat belt) and (3) (Requirement concerning the content that must be stated in instruction manuals): to take effect for CRS manufactured on and after April 1, 2000.

Amendment referred to above in 2. (2) 1) (Restriction of test seat and harmonization of evaluation criteria): to take effect for CRS manufactured on and after January 1, 2003.

Amendment referred to above in 2. (2) 2) (Harmonization of the evaluation criteria related to CRS for specific motor vehicles): to take effect for CRS manufactured on and after January 1, 2000. (With respect to this amendment, compliance with the regulation prior to the amendment will continue to be acceptable for the time being.)

All Rights Reserved, Copyright (C) 2001, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

(1)	Addition of dynamic test of CRS anchored by three-point seat belt (revised in view of the defects of the CRS manufactured by LEAMAN Corporation).
	With respect to CRS that can be anchored by either a two-point seat belt (i.e. lap only seat belt) or three-point seat belt (i.e. lap and shoulder seat belt), testing has previously been conducted on anchorage by a two-point seat belt. However, the findings of the MOT study revealed that in some cases, anchorage of the CRS by means of a two-point seat belt may be subjected to more rigorous conditions, and in other cases, anchorage of the CRS by means of a three-point seat belt may be subjected to more rigorous conditions. As a result, MOT will mandate the testing of both anchorage methods, i.e., both testing of CRS anchored by means of a two-point seat belt and by means of a three-point seat belt.
(2)	Other revisions related to the dynamic testing method (revised in view of issues raised by the manufacturers of CRS, etc.)
	1)	Restriction of test seat and harmonization of evaluation criteria With respect to seats used for testing, it is now permissible to use either test seats prescribed under JIS-D0401 (hereinafter: "JIS seat"), or to use test seats prescribed under ECE Regulation No. 44 (hereinafter: "ECE seat").* Safety evaluation criteria for collisions cover both the displacement of the head of the dummy as well as the acceleration of the head and chest of the dummy. The findings of the MOT study, with respect to the two types of CRS used in the study, revealed that the displacement of the head of the dummy is approximately the same when either the JIS or the ECE seat is used. However, the acceleration of the head and chest of the dummy in the case of the ECE seat is more severe than that of the JIS seat and more closely resembles the acceleration of the head and chest of the dummy in a seat of a real motor vehicle. Thus, the study revealed that the ECE seat more closely reflects normal usage conditions. Therefore, MOT has decided to restrict the seat used for testing purposes to the ECE seat, which more closely resembles actual vehicle seats, and to harmonize the evaluation criteria with those of the ECE Regulation No. 44.
	2)	Harmonization of the evaluation criteria related to CRS for specific motor vehicles
		The evaluation criteria with respect to CRS designed for the purpose of being installed in specific motor vehicles will be harmonized with those of the ECE Regulation No. 44.
(3)	Requirement concerning the content that must be stated in instruction manuals (revision so as to inform the user of the proper method of handling CRS)
	Requirement concerning the content of the instruction manual will be added to type designation enforcement procedure for devices, etc. in the interest of preventing misuse of CRS. The content of the requirement will be harmonized with that of the ECE Regulation No. 44.