Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Child Restraint Systems

This document makes a number of revisions to the Federal safety standard for child restraint systems, including amendments for incorporating improved test dummies and updated procedures used to test child restraints and extension of the standard to apply it to child restraints recommended for use by children up to 65 pounds (30 kilograms). This action strengthens the technical underpinnings of the standard and ensures that a firmer foundation is laid for possible technical improvements in the future. Child restraints will be tested using the most advanced test dummies available today and tested to conditions representing current model vehicles. This final rule fulfills the mandate of the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act of 2000 that the agency undertake rulemaking on the safety of child restraints.