UN R44 Child Restraint Systems

UN R129 Enhanced Child Restraints

35. The expert from CLEPA introduced a summary of all the documents that he had submitted (GRSP-64-29) and presented GRSP-64-16-Rev.1 on the draft 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 129 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2018/29 complemented by GRSP-64-15) aimed at including in the scope of the UN Regulation:

1. non-integral Universal ECRS with no backrest (i-Size booster cushion) and
2. non-integral Specific vehicle ECRS with no backrest (Specific vehicle booster cushion).

Moreover, the expert from CLEPA introduced a consolidated text of all the comments received (GRSP-64-43). The expert from Germany argued that the definition of i-Size was associated with an additional side-impact test to assess protection of children when the vehicle was involved in such a collision and to ensure that children under fifteen months travel in the rearward facing position. Therefore, he stated that he opposed associating the above proposed new categories of ECRS with the i-Size definition to avoid confusion among users. The expert from Japan supported the opinion of the expert from Germany. The experts from IC and EC endorsed the inclusion of such ECRS in the scope of UN Regulation No. 129 to definitively phase out UN Regulation No. 44. Finally, GRSP agreed to resume discussion on this subject at its May 2019 session. Therefore, GRSP agreed to defer the discussion on parallel amendments to other series of amendments affected by the draft 04 series of amendments (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2018/30, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2018/32 and GRSP-64-27) at its May 2019 session. Moreover, the secretariat was requested to keep GRSP-64-27 as a reference in the agenda and to distribute GRSP-64-43 with an official symbol at the next session of GRSP.

UN R44 Child Restraint Systems

20. The expert from IC introduced GRSP-64-32 which explained that for the forthcoming entry into force of “Phase 3” of UN Regulation No. 129 (belted Enhanced Child Restraint Systems (ECRS)), all groups and categories except Group III on forward-facing non-integral CRS would be covered. Accordingly, he explained that belted CRS could be still approved according to UN Regulation No. 44 for an undefined period. He therefore proposed to phase out this category of CRS (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2018/26). The proposal received comments on the transitional provisions and GRSP considered GRSP-64-35-Rev.1. Finally, GRSP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2018/26, as amended by Annex IV to the session report, and requested the secretariat to submit it as Supplement 16 to the 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No.44, for consideration and vote at the June 2019 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1.

UN R44 Child Restraint Systems

21. The expert from CI introduced GRSP-64-33 on the Child Restraint System Evaluation Programme (PESRI), conducted in Latin American countries and sponsored by FIA, Global NCAP and CI research and tests. He highlighted that from this programme had emerged several regulatory irregularities, poor market surveillance and easily-granted approvals. The experts from other contracting parties stated that in their countries, market surveillance was an issue for child restraint systems and protective helmets.

UN R44 Child Restraint Systems

20. The expert from IC introduced GRSP-64-32 which explained that for the forthcoming entry into force of “Phase 3” of UN Regulation No. 129 (belted Enhanced Child Restraint Systems (ECRS)), all groups and categories except Group III on forward-facing non-integral CRS would be covered. Accordingly, he explained that belted CRS could be still approved according to UN Regulation No. 44 for an undefined period. He therefore proposed to phase out this category of CRS (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2018/26). The proposal received comments on the transitional provisions and GRSP considered GRSP-64-35-Rev.1. Finally, GRSP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2018/26, as amended by Annex IV to the session report, and requested the secretariat to submit it as Supplement 16 to the 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No.44, for consideration and vote at the June 2019 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1.

178th WP.29 session (24-28 Jun 2019)

UN R44 Child Restraint Systems

20. The expert from IC introduced GRSP-64-32 which explained that for the forthcoming entry into force of “Phase 3” of UN Regulation No. 129 (belted Enhanced Child Restraint Systems (ECRS)), all groups and categories except Group III on forward-facing non-integral CRS would be covered. Accordingly, he explained that belted CRS could be still approved according to UN Regulation No. 44 for an undefined period. He therefore proposed to phase out this category of CRS (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2018/26). The proposal received comments on the transitional provisions and GRSP considered GRSP-64-35-Rev.1. Finally, GRSP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2018/26, as amended by Annex IV to the session report, and requested the secretariat to submit it as Supplement 16 to the 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No.44, for consideration and vote at the June 2019 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1.

178th WP.29 session (24-28 Jun 2019)