Working Party on Passive Safety | Session 53 | 13-17 May 2013
Geneva
Agenda Item 19.
New Regulation on Enhanced Child Restraint Systems

42. The expert from France, Chair of the IWG on ECRS, introduced the status report of the progress of his group (GRSP-53-22). He informed GRSP that the IWG would finalize a proposal concerning the Phase 2 of the UN Regulation by the December 2013 session of GRSP and introduced a draft proposal for information (GRSP-53-21). He clarified that this phase would: (i) incorporate non-integral CRS (using adult safety-belts), (ii) revision of the test pulse for frontal impact and (iii) review the application of injury criteria related to Q dummies. He finally sought guidance from GRSP for the development of the Phase 3, namely the necessary upgrade of UN Regulation No. 44 and the introduction of transitional provisions to withdraw ISOFIX provisions from this last.

43. The expert from CI expressed his preference for a unique UN Regulation focused on i-size CRS type and to phase out UN Regulation No. 44. The expert from OICA raised concerns on consumer information since the current and future vehicle fleet and its owner manuals would still refer to UN Regulation No. 44. The expert from Germany suggested that a list showing compatibility of current vehicles with i-size CRS would be provided to consumers. Moreover, he added that he was in favor of bringing all provisions in one UN Regulation, otherwise the decision of keeping non-ISOFIX provisions in UN Regulation No. 44 and those ISOFIX in UN Regulation on ECRS would mislead consumer choice. The expert from France stressed that the introduction of the i-size CRS would not degrade safety even in this transition period; on the contrary the use of ECRS in the new car assessment program (NCAP) would be an incentive for manufacturers to adapt vehicles to i-size CRS. Finally, GRSP agreed to resume consideration of the development of Phase 3 at its December 2013 session.

44. GRSP considered and adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2013/12, as amended by Annex VII to this report, introducing all the modifications agreed by the IWG, including alignment to new provisions recently introduced into UN Regulation No. 44. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal to WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 2 to UN Regulation on ECRS at their November 2013 sessions.

45. GRSP noted GRSP-53-24, tabled by the expert from CLEPA and providing an analysis of the future i-size type approval possibilities. Particularly, he sought advice on a configuration of CRS combining a base attached with ISOFIX anchorages to the vehicle (with a support leg) and a shell installed on it; the shell at the choice of the user could be used, without the base and secured by adult safety belts. The experts from France and CI suggested that on exceptional basis, the complete configuration should receive an i-size type approval while the shell should be type approved according to UN Regulation No. 44. However, GRSP agreed to address this issue to the IWG on CRS, before taking a final decision.

46. Finally, the expert from EC informed GRSP about the information campaign that would be started shortly at the European level to sponsor the use of i-size CRS. GRSP agreed on the importance of coordinated information campaigns (e.g. brochures and videos) to promote the new CRS and encouraged sharing information on modality and planning of these initiatives. GRSP agreed to resume consideration of this agenda item on the basis of an official proposal of amendments on Phase 2 and on a draft proposal of brochure text submitted by the IWG.

Documentation
GRSP-53-21 Proposal for a new Regulation on Child Restraints Systems – Phase 2 (France)
GRSP-53-22 Status report of the informal group on Enhanced Child Restraint Systems (UTAC)
GRSP-53-24 CLEPA analysis: Future i-Size approval possibilities (CLEPA)
GRSP/2013/12 Proposal for Supplement 2 to Regulation [129] (Enhanced Child Restraint Systems-ECRS) (France)