FMVSS 213 Test Standard for Child Restraint Systems

Although FMVSS 213, vehicle seats, LATCH anchor positions and seat belt geometry vary greatly across vehicles, child seats are tested in a general, soft, flat row of seats using a single set of belt anchors or LATCH anchors. Child seats are not crash tested on real vehicles, but have been tested using a sled that simulates the acceleration seen in a collision with a speed change of 30 mph (48 km/h).

Sled tests are used because they are more reproducible and less expensive. At first glance, the 30 mph (48 km/h) test may not seem so severe, but 30 mph (48 km/h) refers to the change in speed, not the speed at the time of impact, and the crash conditions used are based on the actual United States. more severe than 96% of frontal collisions.

When evaluating the dynamic safety performance of a child seat, the requirements vary by seat type. The primary criterion for a car bed is that the seat belt should keep the newborn size dummy in restraint. For rear-facing restraints, a restriction is passed if the surface supporting the crash dummy's back does not rotate beyond a 70° angle, if the dummy's head and chest remain in restraint, and acceleration features for the dummy's head and head. The prescribed thresholds of the chest are not exceeded. For forward-facing restraints and booster seats, the dummy's head must not exceed 720 mm (28,4 inches) from the seat reference point when tested with a rope or 813 mm (32 inches) when tested without a rope; in both cases the knees should not exceed 915 mm (36 inches). In addition, there are limits to measurements based on head and chest acceleration. Unfortunately, better scores on the head injury criteria can often be achieved by allowing more head extension, but preventing further head movement corresponds to avoiding the most common real-world head injury mechanism, such as the child's head hitting something in a vehicle. The other 213 requirements focus on webbing strength, width and abrasion resistance, flammability of components, buckle release properties and padding requirements. Tests are also conducted to determine whether the child will stay in the seat when the seat is turned upside down.

Our EUROLAB testers provide a range of technical advice, certification and testing to help you achieve FMVSS compliance to ensure you can access the US automotive market. You can contact our laboratory for all FMVSS and FMVSS 213 test standards.