UN R170 — 01 series of amendments

Section 1 now deals with CRS approved according to UN Regulations Nos. 129 or 44 used in M2 and M3 vehicles. Such a CRS installable with a 3-point belt and/or ISOFIX in forward or rearward facing seats may be used without further requirements. The requirements of Part I do not apply to CRS approved according to UN Regulations Nos. 129 or 44. Under paragraph 2.1., Part I applies to Built-in Child Restraint Systems installed in vehicles of categories M2 and M3 class B and class III. New paragraph 2.2. covers Part II: CRS approved according to UN Regulations Nos. 129 or 44. These are CRS which may be installed in a bus seat with a 2-point belt, in the same vehicle categories and classes as Part I.

Paragraph 5.1. now refers to Part I instead of paragraph 7., and to each Built-in Child Restraint System instead of each sample. New paragraph 5.2. sets the same rule for Part II and each Child Restraint System installed with a 2-point belt. Paragraph 5.3. adds that a Child Restraint System installed with a 2-point belt must be approved according to UN Regulations Nos. 129 or 44. In paragraph 5.5.1.2., “XXX/XX” is replaced by “170/01”. Under paragraph 5.5.3., CRS previously approved to UN Regulations Nos. 129 or 44, already on the market and in use by consumers, may be approved. Without an approval mark according to this regulation on the product, the approval information must be in the product description on a publicly accessible database.

New Part II sets general specifications for Child Restraint Systems installed with a 2-point belt; paragraphs 9 and 10 apply to it. The requirements of items 8.2 (overturning test) and 8.3 (dynamic test) must be fulfilled with the CRS installed in the test bench of Annex 12. Compliance with paragraphs 8.3.6.5. and 8.3.6.6. must be demonstrated from 1 September 2029. Before this date, the results are recorded for monitoring purposes only. Any reference to the installation of the CRS must be given through the instructions manual only. Markings regarding the installation with the 2-point belt are not allowed on the CRS.

Under new paragraph 10.1., each CRS must be accompanied by information for its use in buses and coaches. The information is given to the user in paper form or in digital form on the manufacturer’s webpage. Instructions for the installation with a 2-point belt must be separate from the instructions for installation according to UN Regulations Nos. 129 or 44. A warning that the instructions refer only to installation in buses and coaches must be visible in the front page. Paragraph 10.2. lists the minimum information, for example that 2-point belt attachment is only permitted in buses and coaches. Other items include a 2-point belt installation guide and contact information for further information on fitting the CRS.

New Annex 12 sets the procedure for testing Child Restraint Systems installed with 2-point belt. The test seat cushion must be certified when new, then after every 50 dynamic tests or at least every month, whichever happens first. The initial peak impact deceleration values must be 20 ± 3 g, and later peak values must not deviate by more than 15 per cent. The two-point belt assembly consists of one standard anchorage plate, one standard retractor and a polyester strap. The total length of the belt webbing is 1,600 ± 5 mm, and a load of 75 ± 5 N is kept in the complete belt. The maximum length requirement for the approval of child restraints systems with two-point belt is 1,300+5 mm.

New Part I, “General specifications for Built-in Child Restraint Systems”, covers the requirements of paragraphs 6, 7 and 8. The old paragraphs 5. to 5.7. are now paragraphs 6. to 6.7. In paragraphs 6.2. and 6.7., “installing” and “install” are replaced by “restraining” and “restrain”. Under paragraph 7.2.1.1., an exception now permits one additional insert layer to provide protection for small babies with a stature < 50 cm. In the Annex 3 table, the first seven rows change, and the first stature row now reads “40*” instead of “≤ 40”. A new table note says that the minimum shoulder height dimension for statures below 40 cm must be determined by extrapolation.

Under paragraph 12.1., Built-in Child Restraint Systems approved according to Part I must undergo conformity of production procedures. In Annex 1, new item 14. asks for the approval number according to UN Regulations Nos. 129 or 44, if applicable. Item (e) of Annex 1, the list of vehicle models for which the restraint is intended, is deleted. New transitional provisions say that Contracting Parties may grant type approvals according to any preceding series of amendments. As from 1 September 2027, Contracting Parties are not obliged to accept type approvals issued to the original series of amendments. They must continue to accept them for systems not affected by the changes of the 01 series of amendments.