NHTSA Expands Performance Requirements, etc. for Child Restraint Systems

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a final rule, effective February 27, 2014, establishing performance and other requirements for child restraint systems for children weighing 65-80 lbs. The final rule amends the Federal motor vehicle safety standard to expand its applicability to child restraints sold for children weighing up to 80 lbs, and amends the standard to incorporate use of a Hybrid III 10-year-old child test dummy (HIII-10C), weighing 78 lbs, in compliance tests of child restraints newly subject to the standard. Petitions for reconsideration of this rule must be received by April 12, 2012.