Interpretation ID: nht73-1.21

DATE: 04/13/73

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Robert L. Carter; NHTSA

TO: Mrs. Lewis Polin

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This is in reply to your letter to our Region III office in which you requested information on infant car seats and regulations affecting the manufacture of such seats.

Enclosure 1 is a copy of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213, Child Seating Systems, along with a recent amendment to the standard. The effective date of this standard was April 1, 1971. All child car seats which both seat and restrain a child in a motor vehicle are now required by law to comply with the requirements of this standard. This regulation requires the date of manufacture to be placed on each seat along with recommendations for its use. Child seating systems are recommended for use by children from approximately eight to nine months to three to four years of age.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is presently developing a proposed amendment to the existing standard which will require dynamic tests of all child restraints and will regulate infant restraints which are not presently covered by Standard No. 213. However, it is not anticipated that this amendment will become effective in the near future.

Enclosures 2 and 3 are copies of press releases notifying consumers of devices which have failed to pass Standard No. 213, and of the action the manufacturers are taking to correct the situation. Additionally, we are enclosing a copy of a consumer information booklet entitled, "What To Buy In Child Restraint Systems." We hope this information will assist you.

We do not endorse or advocate any specific product, but rather develop, issue, and enforce minimum safety standards for consumer protection. In the final analysis, the consumer should select a restraint which best fits his particular needs. Many practical considerations may affect the usage of a device, for example, the activity level of the child, portability of the device, and ease of attachment. These are all factors which the buyer of a child restraint system should consider in making his selection.

Thank you for your interest in motor vehicle safety.

Sincerely,

4 Enclosures

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

REGION III March 22, 1973

Mrs. Lewis Polin

1912 Nester Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19115

Dear Mrs. Polin:

We would like to thank you for your interest in highway safety. Your request for information concerning regulations enacted in regard to infant car seats, along with brand names of those manufacturers who have produced such products in conformance with these standards, has been forwarded to our Washington office, and they in turn will help you with obtaining the information you need.

Sincerely,

Vincent D. Walsh, Sr. -- Regional Administrator