New rating system for child seats

Date: 3/8/2009

Can you buy a safer child seat for your money?

The safety performance of a child seat is a critical piece of information for a parent or carer who is about to make a purchase. Improvements in the effectiveness and safety performance of child restraint systems will save lives and reduce serious injuries.

So says TRL, the UK's Transport Research Laboratory, who today launch a new independent safety rating system for child seats in vehicles, to better inform consumer choice when purchasing a child seat.

All child seats sold in the UK meet minimum Regulatory Standards for safety, but with 6000 children between the ages of 0 and 11 injured in cars each year and over 250 killed or seriously injured, it is important to understand the safety performance levels of the large number of different products. This is even more vital when parents are buying in tougher economic times and wish to ensure best possible choice within their available budget.

TRL, recognising the importance of child seats and the role they play in reducing casualties and serious injuries, has launched its new independent five star rating scheme for child restraint systems. Its Child Safety Centre has been carrying out research and development for manufacturers, retailers and Government for over 30 years, related to improving protocols and test methods that will be applied in the UK and internationally.

The new rating scheme provides rigorous and independent performance ratings for all seats tested, enabling consumers to make comparisons and informed decisions on which product best meets their requirements. Stars will be awarded - from one star through to a maximum of five stars - and ratings will be publicly available on TRL's web site (www.trl.co.uk) which will hold all the latest information.

TRL ratings will clearly present individual products' safety in terms of an overall star rating, as well as front and side impact and usability performance. All child restraint systems tested will have already achieved Regulatory Approval to R44 - a minimum mandatory requirement for sale in Europe. However, R44 offers no differentiation of product quality or effectiveness to the consumer. Additionally, within R44 there is no assessment of side impact performance which is considered to be of great importance.

Marianne Hynd, Head of TRL's Child Safety Centre sees the rating scheme as a great step forward; "Safety in the car is essential and despite the welcome fall in road casualties announced recently by the Department for Transport, we are still seeing far too many young children killed or seriously injured while travelling in cars. The law says all children below the age of 12 and under 135cm must use an appropriate baby, child or booster seat during every car journey. This new rating scheme will help parents and carers make the right decision when purchasing a child restraint system to protect their most precious cargo."

The launch follows extensive consultation with retailers, manufacturers and consumer authorities. It is expected that the scheme will allow the best manufacturers to showcase their products under an independent rating system.

Several major retailers, including Halfords support the scheme. A Halfords spokesperson says;

"The safety of a child is imperative and therefore we are always interested in performance rating schemes that will help put the customer at ease when purchasing a child seat. Furthermore, it is also important that it is cost effective for manufacturers and therefore look forward to their feedback to the proposal."

The scheme also has the backing and support from the AA, whose President Edmund King says;

"We know from our AA/Populus panel that AA members consistently rate "knowing that the seat will give the best protection in a crash" as the number one consideration when buying a child seat. There is a bewildering array of products available though and little objective information to help them choose the seat that best meets their needs. TRL has unique experience in this field and we hope that this new scheme will grow to help parents make informed buying decisions."

The rating certificate for each child restraint system tested will be posted on TRL's website for public reference. The distinctive new rating mark will also be available on the product, packaging, and publicity material to help the customer. An official launch of the test ratings will take place next year.

Click here for more information on the child seat rating scheme

For further information, contact:
TRL Press Office, Sarah Bailey or Mary Treen
Tel: 01344 770141 or 01344 770514
Email: mediaenquiries@trl.co.uk

Notes to editors;

TRL's rating scheme requirements are laid out in Transport Research Specification, TRS1002:2009, which 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.