Date: 2021-07-15Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Amendments to UN Regulation 44 [2020/1223] – Uniform provisions concerning the approval of restraining devices for child occupants of power-driven vehicles (‘Child Restraint Systems’) [2021/1162]
Executive Summary:
This document details amendments to UN Regulation 44 concerning child restraint systems in power-driven vehicles. It specifies configurations for securing child restraints based on category and group. Key dates include September 1, 2021, after which contracting parties are not obliged to accept certain type approvals, and September 1, 2023, after which extensions won't be granted for child restraint systems other than Group 3, and contracting parties are not obliged to accept type approvals issued in accordance with this regulation.
Key Points / Main Content:
Child Restraint System Configurations:
* Paragraph 6.1.3 is amended to specify how child restraints should be secured based on their category (Universal, Semi-universal, Restricted, Specific vehicle) and group (0, I, II, III) using ISOFIX CRS.
* The table details applicability (A) or non-applicability (NA) of different group/category combinations with ISOFIX CRS.
* ISOFIX universal CRS are forward facing restraints for use in vehicles with positions equipped with ISOFIX anchorages system and a top tether anchorage.
* ISOFIX semi universal CRS include forward facing restraints with support leg, rearward facing restraints with support leg or top tether strap, rearward facing restraints supported by the dashboard, or lateral facing position restraint equipped if needed with an antirotation device.
Deadlines and Acceptance of Type Approvals:
* As of September 1, 2023, no extensions will be granted under this Regulation to child restraint systems other than Group 3.
* As of September 1, 2021, contracting parties are not obliged to accept type approvals first issued after this date.
* Until September 1, 2023, contracting parties must accept type approvals issued according to the 04 series of amendments, first issued before September 1, 2021.
* As of September 1, 2023, contracting parties are not obliged to accept type approvals issued in accordance with this Regulation.
* Type approvals for vehicle-specific built-in child restraint systems issued according to the 04 series of amendments will continue to be accepted.
Impact Analysis:
Contracting Parties Applying this Regulation:
* Impact: New rules regarding acceptance of type approvals based on issue dates.
* Action Required: Adjust acceptance policies based on the specified dates (September 1, 2021, and September 1, 2023) and the type of child restraint system.
Manufacturers of Child Restraint Systems:
* Impact: Restrictions on extensions for certain child restraint systems.
* Action Required: Be aware of the September 1, 2023, deadline for extensions of child restraint systems other than Group 3.
Testing and Approval Authorities:
* Impact: Changes in granting and accepting type approvals.
* Action Required: Adhere to the new guidelines for granting extensions and issuing/accepting type approvals based on the specified dates.
Key Entities Referenced
UNECE: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the body responsible for the original texts with legal effect under international public law.
UN Regulation 44: A UN regulation concerning the approval of restraining devices for child occupants of power-driven vehicles (Child Restraint Systems).
Child Restraint Systems: Devices used in power-driven vehicles to restrain child occupants.
ISOFIX: A standardized system for attaching child restraint systems to vehicles.
04 series of amendments: A specific series of amendments to UN Regulation 44.
European Union: The political and economic union of European countries, in whose official journal this policy document is published.
Group 3: A category of child restraint systems, to which extensions shall only be granted from 1 September 2023.
Contracting Parties: Parties applying this Regulation, who from 1 September 2021, shall not be obliged to accept type approvals issued according to this Regulation, first issued after 1 September 2021.
15.7.2021 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union L 252/7
ACTS ADOPTED BY BODIES CREATED BY
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
Only the original UN/ECE texts have legal effect under international public law. The status and date of entry into force of
this Regulation should be checked in the latest version of the UN/ECE status document TRANS/WP.29/343, available at:
https://unece.org/status-1958-agreement-and-annexed-regulations
Amendments to UN Regulation 44 [2020/1223] – Uniform provisions concerning the approval of restraining
devices for child occupants of power-driven vehicles (‘Child Restraint Systems’) [2021/1162]
Amendments to Regulation 44 published in OJ L 285, 1.9.2020.
Supplement 18 to the 04 series of amendments – Date of entry into force: 9 June 2021
This document is meant purely as a documentation tool. The authentic and legally binding text is: ECE/TRANS/WP.29/
2020/111.
Paragraph 6.1.3., amend to read:
‘6.1.3. According to the category which it belongs to, the child restraint shall be secured to the vehicle structure or to the
seat structure.
Possible configurations for approval
Groups/categories table
Universal (1) Semi-universal (2) Restricted Specific vehicle
ISO- ISO- ISO- ISO-
CRS CRS CRS CRS
Group category FIXCRS FIXCRS FIXCRS FIXCRS
0 Carry-cot A (3) NA A (3) A (3) A (3) NA A (3) A (3)
Rearward facing A (3) NA A (3) A (3) A (3) NA A (3) A (3)
0+ Rearward facing A (3) NA A (3) A (3) A (3) NA A (3) A (3)
I Rearward facing A (3) NA A (3) A (3) A (3) NA A (3) A (3)
Forward facing (integral) A (3) A (3) A (3) A (3) A (3) NA A (3) A (3)
Forward facing (non- NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
integral)
Forward facing (non- A (3) NA A (3) NA A (3) NA A (3) A (3)
integral – see paragraph
6.1.12.)
II Rearward facing A (3) NA A (3) NA A (3) NA A (3) A (3)
Forward facing (integral) A (3) NA A (3) NA A (3) NA A (3) A (3)
Forward facing (non- A (3) NA A (3) NA A (3) NA A (3) A (3)
integral)L 252/8 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union 15.7.2021
Universal (1) Semi-universal (2) Restricted Specific vehicle
ISO- ISO- ISO- ISO-
CRS CRS CRS CRS
Group category FIXCRS FIXCRS FIXCRS FIXCRS
III Rearward facing A (3) NA A (3) NA A (3) NA A (3) A (3)
Forward facing (integral) A (3) NA A (3) NA A (3) NA A (3) A (3)
Forward facing (non- A (3) NA A (3) NA A (3) NA A (3) A (3)
integral)
With:
CRS: Child restraint system
A: Applicable
NA: Not Applicable
(1) ISOFIX universal CRS means forward facing restraints for use in vehicles with positions equipped with ISOFIX
anchorages system and a top tether anchorage.
(2) ISOFIX semi universal CRS means:
— Forward facing restraints equipped with support leg or
— Rearward facing restraints equipped with a support leg or a top tether strap for use in vehicles with positions
equipped with ISOFIX anchorages system and a top tether anchorage if needed
— Or rearward facing restraints, supported by the vehicle dashboard, for use in the front passenger seat
equipped with ISOFIX anchorages system,
— Or lateral facing position restraint equipped if needed with an anti-rotation device for use in vehicles with
positions equipped with ISOFIX anchorages system and top tether anchorage if needed.
(3) New approvals and extensions will be granted in accordance with paragraphs 17.16 to 17.23.’
Paragraph 17.21., amend to read:
‘17.21. As from 1 September 2023, no extensions shall be granted under this Regulation to child restraint systems other
than Group 3.’
Insert new paragraphs 17.22. to 17.25., to read:
‘17.22. As from 1 September 2021, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation shall not be obliged to accept type
approvals issued according to this Regulation, first issued after 1 September 2021.
17.23. Until 1 September 2023, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation shall accept type approvals issued according
to the 04 series of amendments to this Regulation, first issued before 1 September 2021.
17.24. As from 1 September 2023, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation shall not be obliged to accept type
approvals issued in accordance with this Regulation.
17.25. Notwithstanding paragraphs 17.22. and 17.24., Contracting Parties applying this Regulation shall continue to
accept type approvals of vehicle specific “built in” or specific vehicle “built in” child restraint systems issued
according to the 04 series of amendments to this Regulation.’