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Brussels
(Latest 28 January 2016)
1. Welcome and roll call
2. Adoption of the agenda

2. Adoption of the agenda (CRS-54-01) with some added subject to be discussed as Shield in i-Size, Q3 presentation for Humanetics, CLEPA presentation on booster seat width development, Presentation of German “KindersicherheitsKreiss” workshop, and Y(3ms) presentation from TASS. The new agenda is available under CRS-54-01/Rev.1

CRS-54-01 | Draft agenda for the 54th CRS informal working group session
CRS-54-01/Rev.1 | Revised agenda for the 54th CRS informal group session
3. Approval of the minutes of the previous session

Validation of the minutes of the last meeting (CRS-53-14) with small modification about the phase-out of ISOFIX products from Regulation N° 44 from instead of “from September 2018”. The words “requirement” is also added for biofidelity on APTS. Updated minutes are available under CRS-53-14/Rev.1.

CRS-53-14 | Minutes of the 53rd CRS informal group session
CRS-53-14/Rev.1 | Final minutes of the 53rd CRS informal group session
4. Validation of Amendment of ECE R44

Validation of Amendment of ECE R44 (CRS-54-06e ECE-TRANS-WP.29-GRSP-2015-32e). This document is a proposal for supplement 11 to the 04 series of amendments to R44 with a proposal limit of the use of booster cushions to children taller than 125cm. The logo will be modified to be more in line with ISO “design”. Erik SALTERS (DOREL) will circulate a new logo proposal.

CRS-54-06 | Proposal for Supplement 11 to the 04 series of amendments to Regulation No. 44 Copy of GRSP/2015/32 for discussion during the 54th CRS informal group session. This proposal would limit the use of booster cushions (booster seats without backrest) to children taller than 125 cm and limit their type approval under UN R44 to Group III.
5. Validation of Amendment 1 of ECE R129

Validation of Amendment 1 of ECE R129 (CRS-54-07e ECE-TRANS-WP.29-GRSP-2015-24e).
Pierre CASTAING (UTAC & Chairman) is working for a positive vote on this proposal on the 58th GRPS session in December.

In Document CRS-54-04e, the base is the consolidated R129 with all amendments for phase I in one colour, and all amendments for phase II in another colour. Modifications made during the 54rth IG meeting are in a third colour (Chapter 16 for the Transitional provisions, Annex 1 chapter 1.2. and Figure 2 of the Annex 18 is changed, but will be improved again later for better visual quality by Erik SALTERS (DOREL).

Modifications were performed on the chapter about the Transitional provisions. A date of “2018” is added in chapter 16.2 & 16.3, and A date of “2020” is added in chapter 16.4 . The updated document is available under CRS-54-07e ECE-TRANS-WP.29-GRSP-2015-24e V2. Pierre CASTAING (UTAC & Chairman) ask CLEPA to give feed-back on these dates.

5.1. Shield i-Size: postponed to next IG meeting; and Jan GRUTTER (CORS) will manage a phone call within TSG group.

6. Work on Amendment 2 of ECE R129 (phase II)

Discussion on vehicle specific testing and fitting requirements: Reworded text is reviewed. Fitment testing is responsibility of OEM. Dynamic testing can be done either on a sled or in car.
Currently the text is not clear enough about who decides if a sled or body in white needs to be used for the dynamic test.

Reiner NETT (TAKATA): so this is basically not different than R44-04 semi-universal, is that true?
Pierre CASTAING (UTAC & chairman): Yes, Example an R3 product, needs a dynamic test in test bench, fitting information leaflet can indicate it is compatible with all vehicles with an R3 seating position. In Phase 2 we need to include into ECE R16 a standard fixture for high back booster (F5 Fixture?) with a width of [500] mm

CRS-54-03 | Working draft phase 1 amendment B to UN R129: Revision 1 Working draft version with Class A and B (for phase 3 of UN R129 development) CRS locking devices.
6.1. Double marking on modular systems

Postponed for next IG meeting but Pierre CASTAING (UTAC & chairman) asked Hans AMMERLAAN (RDW), Frank BROUWERS (TASS), Erik SALTERS (DOREL) and Jesper JUKIC (TRAFIKSTYRELSEN) to work on this task.

6.2. Shoulder belt positioning

Postponed to next IG.

6.3. Feedback from TRL study (Chest deflection measurement,…)

6.3.1. CRS-54-08e on abdomen and submarining on Q10, Q6 & Q3 dummy with different input conditions (R129 conditions, UMTTRI installation method and higher test pulse) and with / without poor lab belt guidance CRS. In summary, some works still to do and the following question can be asked :

  • Review of 1.2 bar limit?
  • R129 adopts UMTRI positioning procedure?
  • Investigate on submarining for Q3?
  • New severe frontal pulse?

Pierre CASTAING (UTAC & Chairman) suggests keeping the 1.2 bar limit, as we now do not have scientifically supported & sufficient data (only one test per configuration).

CRS-54-08 | TRL EC child safety project–summary of abdomen results Review of UN R129 testing with regard to child dummy performance, submarining, pelvic/abdominal measurements, and injury criteria.

6.3.2. CRS-54-09e on chest behaviour results. The Q-series dummies are able to measure chest deflection (P-series dummies are not) but the shoulder belt tends to move towards the neck. The maximum deflection is due to chin to chest contact. Chest deflection limits are proposed but still not validated. We can see some potential solutions to solve previous problems by creating a test environment that prevents belt slippage from occurring, propose an assessment procedure for the static belt lie & useful injury threshold limits. For this study, deflections were measured on the clavicle for the Q3 & Q6 dummy.

However, during testing a bottoming-out was observed; there was a hard contact between clavicle and neck bracket. Two input conditions were tested (R129 & extreme D ring position) without CRs, with booster seat & with booster cushion.

In conclusion and for summary:

  • the shoulder belt tends to slip toward the neck with Q3 & Q6 dummy,
  • Confirmed clavicle to neck bracket contact affects chest deflection measurements,
  • CRS seem safe using R129 setup with Q3,
  • For Q6 an extreme upper anchorage position can influence belt path and interaction,
  • The belt stays on Q10 shoulder.

Recommendations for TRL are:
  • To test with modifications to upper anchorage position,
  • Can we “fix” the Q3 dummy shoulder & clavicle?
  • Need a static belt path assessment, if nothing else exercises belt guides

CRS-54-09 | TRL EC child safety project–summary of chest behaviour results Summary of investigations into belt slippage (clavicle and neck) and chest deflection to define areas for improvement of the test procedures under UN R129.
6.4. Humanetics Q3 presentation

HUMANETICS to provide drawings representing modifications on abdominal sensors for Q1.5 and Q3. For the Q1.5 the abdomen drawing is to be updated. For the Q3 the abdomen drawing is to be updated, the hip liner is to be added, suit modification for hip liner to be included and hip cup material change (to be decided).

Question from Paul LEMMEN (HUMANETICS): do the hip liner include in the package? For Pierre CASTAING (UTAC & Chairman): Yes, only one set of change is better and for Q3 first as we use this dummy for phase I of the R129 regulation.

CRS-54-10 | Weight Increase Calculation to Change to Aluminium Hip Cups for Q3, Q1.5 and Q1 Data to support change from plastic to aluminum hip cup in order to resolve Q-dummy problem where the plastic cup has not been strong enough to retain the hip joint (ball and socket) in position.
6.5. Internal dimensions

Farid BENDJELLAL (BRITAX) explained that the drawing of the measuring device is incorrect. The drawing shows the shoulder height being measured to the centre of the cylinder, but it should be the top of the cylinder. he showed that a new drawing had already been implemented in an earlier draft of Phase 2 presented to GRSP (GRSP-56-09), but it had been omitted from recent drafts.

The new drawing was added to the consolidated amendments document that we were working on during the meeting and is included in our amendment of Phase 1. Erik SALTERS (DOREL) will send a new version of this drawing with better resolution.

GRSP-56-09 | Proposal for the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No. 129 (Consolidated version) Revised amendment, including track changes, to introduce all the modifications needed in UN Regulation No. 129 (Enhanced Child Restraint System (ECRS)) that were suggested by the experts of the informal working group on Child Restraint Systems (IWG CRS) to extend the scope of this Regulation to Non-Integral child restraint systems (“Universal Booster” or “Specific to vehicle Booster”) (Phase 2 of the UN Regulation).
6.6. CLEPA presentation on booster seat width development from Farid BENDJELLAL (BRITAX)

In the presentation it was shown:

  • Key change in IG direction from Germany & European Commission,
  • Comparison of regulation requirements between R44 & R129,
  • Positive & negative aspect for the 440 mm width proposal,
  • Compatibility with vehicles (only few vehicle can fit 3 × 440 mm width fixture),
  • Consequences for safety (Poorer or no head containment, increase chest loading, performance worse than R44 regulation, Q6 does not represent the seating height of a seated 135 cm child; the seating height of the Q10 is much closer and should be used)
  • Consequences of amending the dummy selection table
  • Vehicle handbook proposal.

In conclusion, limiting the TF4 fixture from the current 520 to 440mm width:
  • only allows 3x fixtures in a small minority of current vehicles,
  • need to assess seating position for i-Size and Universal booster seat,
  • 440 mm width will results in a reduction in safety,
  • the German workshop has shown that fitting 3x R44 seat (500 mm width) is possible, compromise width of 480 – 500 mm would mean no reduction in safety,
  • Q10 should be used to evaluate the seating height for CRSs designed for 135cm children in front & side impact ,
  • a simplified vehicle handbook approach could be beneficial e.g. 100- 135 cm as Universal & 136 – 150 cm as vehicle specific.

CLEPA needs a minimum of 500 mm width and suggests to IG to wait for full conclusions from the German workshop before deciding the final width. Any compromise to be reached should mean an enhanced protection for 3 to 10 years old, comparable or higher performance relative to existing R44 CRSs, promoting simultaneous fitment of 2 i-Size CRSs in every vehicle, 3 i-Size 440 mm CRSs may fit in small number of larger vehicle.

Peter BROERTJES (EC) : Family car could install 3 i-Size positions, which was the main goal.

Pierre CASTAING (UTAC & Chairman) : 135 cm 50% children can be seat in a family car. 3 current booster seats can be installed in a family car, but the F5 fixture currently proposed would be such an installation, even in a large family cars there is no room to accommodate this fixture. The Q10 dummy represents a 50th percentile child of 10.5 years. It has also been found to match the key dimensions (sitting height, shoulder height, and shoulder width) of a 95th percentile child of 135 cm stature. However, the Informal Group has decided that it is no longer necessary for booster seats to accommodate 95th percentile children at this stature, and on that basis, only the Q6 dummy is specified for testing. The Q10 dummy represents a 50th percentile child of 10.5 years. It has also been found to match the key dimensions (sitting height, shoulder height, and shoulder width) of a 95th percentile child of 135 cm stature. However, the Informal Group has decided that it is no longer necessary for booster seats to accommodate 95th percentile children at this stature, and on that basis, the Q6 dummy is specified for testing child restraints with a declared upper stature limit of 135 cm.” child restraints with a declared upper stature limit of 135 cm.

Ronald VROMAN (ANEC) : Consumers request a simple and clear statement, where a child could be installed from 0 to 135 cm in a universal position, without having to refer to a user’s manual.

CRS-54-11 | CRS booster seat width development Presentation of proposal for interim solution to allow for booster cushions without a backrest to be kept in UN R44 (but prohibited for children smaller than 125 cm) pending development of provisions for non-integral i-Size booster seats with integrated backrest under UN R129 (Phase2).
6.7. Presentation of German workshop organised by the German Kindersicherheit Kreiss (“child safety working group”) from Sebastian WEBER (AUDI)

During this workshop, Car manufacturer, CRs manufacturer & labs were represented. Some pictures were taken during this session and distance measurements were made. Installation was performed in OPEL Corsa, OPEL Astra sport Tourer, AUDI Q7, Audi A6 Avant and a Ford S-MAX. 3 different CRS (TAKATA maxi, ROMER Kidfix XP & CYBEX Solution X-Fix) were used and different gabarit. The presentation highlights the belt guidance difference between the F4 Gabarit and CRS & and also the buckle access and size difference between fixture & CRS.

During this workshop, it was found that:

  • No relevant benefit was seen for an F4 gabarit reduced to 440 mm. Still it fits 3 in a row only in few vehicles.
  • Disadvantage F4: no 10 year old children fit in these boosters
  • For the F4 changes for belt routing and buckle access in the lower part is necessary.

And the following proposal is made:
  • Changing the internal dimension requirement as in the CLEPA proposal (reducing 95%ile to 50%ile)
  • No requirement to be made for vehicle manufacturers that 3 in a row fixtures for all vehicles becomes mandatory
  • Height of fixture is no big problem in assessed vehicles.

All pictures of this workshop are available. Ask to sebastian.weber@audi.de for this.

Comments :

  • The only family car presented in the workshop fitted the 3 F4-440mm gabarit, which was the goal of the EC .
  • All current regulations deal with 50% dummies, which represent the average.
  • As a universal revised i-size position, the F4-440mm is included in this really universal position, which insures that any child from 0 to 135cm 50% can sit in such a position.
  • A complementary F5 gabarit offers more room for bigger children and can be tested with a Q10. It will not be within the revised i-size, but it presents the advantage of a “best in class” booster seat.
  • The flexible wings and size adjustment could insure that a universal F4-440mm seat could reach an F5 size for a Q10, and therefore be universal up to 135cm, and “specific to vehicle” further.

Comes back on this presentation CRS-54-13e : data from Q10 is used as an input for the CLEPA presentation

CRS-54-12 | Summary of results from BASt CRS workshop
CRS-54-13 | EPOCh-COVER-CASPER Q10 Anthropometry Reference document for 54th CRS informal group discussion providing background on child stature discussions under the EU EPOCh (Enabling Protection for Older Children) project.
6.8. Cumulative acceleration (3ms) presentation by TASS

show and explain difference between γ(3ms) cumulatively & γ(3ms) continually.

According to Farid BENDJELLAL (BRITAX) , it’s not clear in the current R129 regulation.

It’s different in the R44 regulation because it’s defines 3ms “exceedance”. For Tommy PETTERSSON (VTI), we do not have to change the current R44 regulation. Pierre CASTAING (UTAC & chairman) agree to make modification for γ(3ms) cumulatively for phase I in chapter 8.1 and Annex 17. Erik SALTERS (DOREL): we can add something like “Align R129 to R44 by improving definition of R129.

CRS-54-05 | Presentation: Cumulative 3ms Not Consistent in R129 Presentation to highlight inconsistencies in the lateral and forward cumulative head and chest acceleration injury criteria (determination of the maximum acceleration with a cumulative duration of at least 3ms).
7. Evolution of UN Regulation No. 16

7.1. OICA proposal for new table CRS-54-14e. The following draft is proposed by OICA, following the R16 handbook workshop hold on the 26th of October, in CLEPA, Brussels.

During the R16 handbook simplification pre-meeting, the group defined 2 levels of information :
1. Information for the customer – where are the i-Size positions, the belted universal positions, or other positions ?
2. Information for CRS manufacturers (and T.A Services) – where are the ISOFIX positions, and which are the biggest possible ISO gabarit in rearward, forward and lateral directions.

Each type of information has to be publicly available, but in different locations.
1. For the customer, in the usual “user’s manual” location, e.g. as a table, or a graphic, or a photo.
2. For the CRS manufacturers, either in a technical annex at the end of the handbook, or on the OEM’s website.

CLEPA to consider of this type of information is sufficient.

CRS-54-14 | UN R16 handbook proposal for simplification of the UN R129 table

7.2. Introduction of F4 gabarit : not discussed

8. Work on phase III

8.1. Status report on “simple seat belt path” from Philippe LESIRE (LAB) : postponed for next IG meeting.

8.2 Pierre CASTAING (UTAC & chairman) presents CRS-54-15e list of formal documents that will be discussed during the next 58th GRSP session.

CRS-54-15 | List of CRS-related working documents for the 58th (December 2015) GRSP session
9. Next meetings

9.1. 55th meeting will be held in Brussels – CLEPA offices – November, the 19th. As we will have a limited meeting room, please only one delegate will be allowed per company around the table (the rest will be outside the table). All persons without any confirmation of attendance will not join meeting.
9.2. 56th meeting will be held in Brussels – European Commission offices – January, the 14th
9.3. 57th meeting will be held in TBD – March, the 23th

10. Any other business