New child seat rules.

[Rob and Mel]

This info has just been brought to my attention and this subject comes up on here all the time so I will copy you all in...

 

The Gillard Government today paved the way for more consumer choice in child restraints for Australian vehicles by introducing a new vehicle safety standard for ISOFIX child restraint anchorages.

The system is a new simpler way for parents to attach child restraints to vehicles which has been adopted internationally.

Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport, Catherine King, said that while the current Australian child restraints have been very successful in reducing death and injuries in children over the past 30 years, many parents have indicated a preference for child restraints that use the international ISOFIX system.

“The Gillard Government has listened and has now introduced safety requirements for new vehicles where fitted with ISOFIX anchorages.

“For many parents this means child restraints will be easier to install while maintaining a high level of safety for their children.

“This clears the way for Australian child restraints to include these new compatible features,” Ms King said.

“Standards Australia has already started on this work which is expected to be completed by early next year.

“This change allows the Government and parents to continue to provide the highest levels of safety for children—while offering greater consumer choice.”

For those who wish to remain with the existing system, current design child restraints will continue to be available and suitable anchorages will still be provided in vehicles.

Ms King highlighted that the initiative was a positive step in line with the Australian Government's National Road Safety Strategy, which aims to reduce the annual numbers of deaths and serious injuries on Australian roads.

Following on from her recent announcement on mandatory seatbelt reminders, Ms King again praised the cooperative approach that the automotive industry had shown in the development of the standard, including through the work of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Australian Automobile Association.

 

Info from,http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/ck/releases/2012/March/CK009_2012.aspx

 

Sooner the better as far as I am concerned.

 

Rob and Mel

[snifter]

Thanks for posting this. This was all going through last year and was awaiting the rubber stamp so to speak. It was mooted as not going to be ready to go till 2013. Most car seat manufacturers like Safe n Sound, which is Britax and other non Aus companies would be good to go I'd think. They already have car seats that would transfer well to Aus market.