g Standard updates: Recently the Australian Standards relating to Child restraint manufacture have been updated with the publishing of the latest versions of AS/NZS1754 (Child restraint systems), AS/NZS 4370 (Restraint of children with disabilities or medical conditions in motor vehicles) and AS NZS 4008 (Accessories for child restraints for use in motor vehicles). These are comprehensive documents with the AS/NZS1754 standard alone having expanded to nearly twice the 2010 update’s size. Some of you may remember that when the 2010 version was released it had grown to nearly twice the number of pages of the previous version as well. At the very least this is an indication of how complications with the child restraint environment have increased. As we all know, child restraint principles are not complicated. The principles of ‘keeping passengers safe’ have not changed in a very long time. However, the periphery is in a state of constant confusion, largely caused through misleading promotional statements. Promotions that are either politically and or commercially motivated contribute a great deal to the challenges that professional users and service providers are left to contend with. Forums featuring public comment contribute to poor understandings as well. Generally, the majority of ACRI members are fortunate in their exposure to child restraints that they don’t need to get involved with the standard updates to any great degree. The media however, have already used aspects of these latest changes to promote ‘News articles’ that provide nothing to the community by the way of assistance only additional confusion. We’ve witnessed a number of examples concerning false or at least misleading statements that will and have led the public astray, which brings another challenge for ACRI members to rise to. What can we tell you about the changes that will help you? There are a couple of new restraint types (or designations) thoroughly outlined in the standard, so a manufacturer may take the ball and run with one or more of these. Designations added are: Types A1/0 - A2/0 - A3/0 and A4/0. Infant restraint allowing for smaller birth weight harnessing than designations. A1, A2 and A3 offered. Type A4. Rearward facing restraint suitable for child up to approximately 30 months of age. Type C2. Forward facing harness (without chair) suitable for children approximately 7 to 10 years of age used with just the vehicle seat and seat belt, but not suitable for use with a booster seat. Type G. Forward facing chair with harness, suitable for children approximately 6 months to approximately 8 years of age. Continued next page Type H. This has been added to cater for ‘Converters’ that had been included under ‘Type F’ in the 2010 Standard. (Converters generally include ‘Sash guides’) Exciting: Of this list of new restraint types the most exciting is the ‘Type G’ which the community has been in need of for many years. This’ll be especially helpful in the area of restraint of children with additional needs. Isofix update: The most important aspect of this update to relate is that the introduction of the requirements of a manufacturer to build the ‘Isofix’ facility into their products has been formalised. So now, if a manufacturer wishes to build an Isofix compatible seat they have a set of rules to abide by. Some of the restraint types on the standard will not be available with the Isofix facility due to a number of reasons. One of which is the increased and unaccounted for upper tether anchorage load bearing capacity. When will these new products be available? Although there have been many promises that an Isofix seat will be available this year and also that a Type G is on the way. These could just be industry rumours. We’ll believe it only when we see it. The Type D has been on the Standard for many updates and has never been manufactured, so although we live in hope, we’ll have to wait for the sales analysts, accountants and engineers to decide whether any new product is viable for manufacture. x g Disposal of Baby Capsules
Posted on: Wed, 12 Jun 2013 01:38:56 +0000
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