Understanding the Ratings
The Rating Scheme scores Child Restraint Systems (more commonly known as child or baby seats) on a 1 to 5 star system. This allows a greater understanding of safety over and above the baseline UN-ECE 44 Regulation test. |
Rating Specification
The rating system is clear and based on publicly available robust testing protocols. Up to 5 Stars can be achieved, presenting the crash safety and usability performance of child restraint systems as an aggregated overall rating of the items listed below. Our rating mark can be used on the product, packaging, publicity material and in catalogues and websites. It is available for all Child Restraint Systems in Groups 0, 0+, 1, and 2. The Rating Scheme requirements are laid out in Transport Research Specification, TRS1002:2009. This calls up a bespoke suite of tests and assessments based largely on the NPACS (New Programme for the Assessment of Child-restraint Systems) protocols, published by TRL for the Department for Transport (DfT).
The rear of each certificate provides a breakdown of percentage of maximum scores for front impact, side impact, usability, and and overall.
Front Impact Specification
Front impacts may result in occupants being thrown forward, potentially resulting in injury to the neck, chest, and pelvis, to the abdomen from the belts, full or partial ejection from the seat, and breakage of the child seat itself. This test is designed to accurately measure and assess these factors.
Side Impact Specification
Side impacts may result in occupants being thrown to the side, with the potential for striking objects adjacent to the child seat (such as a window), additional risks include injury to the neck, chest, and pelvis. This test is designed to accurately measure and assess these factors.
Usability Testing Specification
Seats that are not easy to use may be mis-used and thus reduce their ability to protect. This test includes items which assesses the instructions and installation, restraining and removing the child occupant, and ergonomics and comfort. This test is designed to accurately measure and assess these factors.
Demonstrating the benefits of TRL's Rating Scheme
To demonstrate the scheme's potential value, TRL undertook a programme of tests on a small selection of widely available, volume selling child seats, each with a recommended retail price of less than £100. To view a copy of the full report, LF2108 "Child Car seat Safety and Usability Ratings" please click here
Further background documentation is available to download for free at our ftp site here.
