AS/NZS 1754:2000

Since 1970s there has significant attention focussed on the way children travel in cars and a with an increase in knowledge, technology and compliance in this industry, child deaths and serious injury, as a result of vehicle accidents, have been greatly reduced.

Australia has been working side by side with the European Union and the United States to develop requirements and standards that would ultimately provide the safest alternative for restraining children in vehicles. Research plays the main role in the development of these requirements which is expensive and time consuming but provides the information required for the development of new and safer restraint systems.

On a global scale, requirements developed for the Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754:2000 Child restraints for use in motor vehicles are considered the most stringent in the world. Research in Australia has led to the introduction of the top tether strap, which provides an increased level of protection. This has been a requirement in AS/NZS 1754:2000 for a considerable length of time but has only recently become a requirement for restraints in the US.

The development of standards for a higher level of protection has resulted in lower death and injury rates. Comparative studies* of injuries to children have shown that there is a far greater risk of death or injury to a child in restrained in an adult lap-sash seat belt than a child restrained in an approved child restraint.

Currently, the Australian and New Zealand Standard is under revision to include the requirement for ISO fix attachment, which is a new development for the increased safety of child restraints. Also to be included is the requirement for side impact testing, another development that has undergone considerable research. Publication of the new Standard is expected in December 2002.

AS/NZS 1754:2000 is referenced in the Australian Design Rules and current legislated states that no Child restraint may be sold in Australia that does not meet the requirements specified in AS/NZS 1754.

* Children in car crashes Dr M Henderson, 1994.

1 - AS/NZS 1754:2000 CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS FOR USE IN MOTOR VEHICLES
4 - PREFACE
5 - CONTENTS
7 - SECTION 1 SCOPE AND GENERAL
7 - 1.1 SCOPE
7 - 1.2 OBJECTIVE
7 - 1.3 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
8 - 1.4 DEFINITIONS
8 - 1.4.1 Accessories
8 - 1.4.2 Actuation surface
8 - 1.4.3 Adjuster
8 - 1.4.4 Airway region
8 - 1.4.5 Anchorage components
8 - 1.4.6 Anchorage point
8 - 1.4.7 Attachment bolt
9 - 1.4.8 Attachment clip
9 - 1.4.9 Authority
9 - 1.4.10 Booster cushion
9 - 1.4.11 Booster seat
9 - 1.4.12 Chair
9 - 1.4.13 Child restraint
9 - 1.4.14 Converter
9 - 1.4.15 Crotch strap
9 - 1.4.16 Downward
9 - 1.4.17 Enclosing restraint
9 - 1.4.18 Extension strap
9 - 1.4.19 Fabric
9 - 1.4.20 Flame spread time
9 - 1.4.21 Forward
10 - 1.4.22 Genital region
10 - 1.4.23 Harness
10 - 1.4.24 Leg straps
10 - 1.4.25 Means of adjustment
10 - 1.4.26 Pelvic area
10 - 1.4.27 Quick-release device
10 - 1.4.28 Rearward
10 - 1.4.29 Rigid component
10 - 1.4.30 Roping
10 - 1.4.31 Securing device
10 - 1.4.32 Set screw
10 - 1.4.33 Shall
10 - 1.4.34 Should
10 - 1.4.35 Splitter plate
10 - 1.4.36 Strap
11 - 1.4.37 Submarining
11 - 1.4.38 Surface burning time
11 - 1.4.39 Swing ticket
11 - 1.4.40 Tilt-lock adjustment device
11 - 1.4.41 Transversely installed
11 - 1.4.42 Trims
11 - 1.4.43 Upper anchorage strap
11 - 1.4.44 Upper anchor fitting
11 - 1.4.45 Upward
11 - 1.5 TYPE DESIGNATION
13 - SECTION 2 MATERIALS
13 - 2.1 WEBBING
13 - 2.2 NET
13 - 2.3 METAL PARTS OR COATED METAL PARTS
13 - 2.4 FLAMMABILITY
13 - 2.4.1 Fabrics and padding materials
14 - 2.4.2 Other chair materials
14 - 2.5 TOXICITY
14 - 2.6 PLASTICS STABILIZATION
15 - SECTION 3 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
15 - 3.1 EXTENT OF PROTECTION
15 - 3.2 RESTRAINT SYSTEM
15 - 3.2.1 General
17 - 3.2.2 Type A1 child restraints
18 - 3.2.3 Type A2 child restraints
18 - 3.2.4 Type A3 child restraints
19 - 3.2.5 Type B child restraints
22 - 3.2.6 Type C child restraints
22 - 3.2.7 Type D child restraints
23 - 3.2.8 Type E child restraints
24 - 3.3 SECURING DEVICE
24 - 3.4 QUICK-RELEASE DEVICE
24 - 3.4.1 General
26 - 3.4.2 Type A1, Type A2, Type B and Type D child restraints
27 - 3.5 ANCHORING AND ATTACHMENT SYSTEM
27 - 3.5.1 Provision of anchoring system
27 - 3.5.2 Requirements for the anchorage components
33 - 3.6 RIGID COMPONENTS
33 - 3.7 ACCESSORIES
33 - 3.7.1 General
33 - 3.7.2 Removable liners and covers
33 - 3.8 ADJUSTERS
33 - 3.9 CORROSION PROTECTION OF METAL PARTS
33 - 3.10 DURABILITY OF COMPONENTS
34 - 3.11 WORKMANSHIP AND FINISH
34 - 3.11.1 General
34 - 3.11.2 Hazardous sharp edges and hazardous sharp points
34 - 3.11.3 Ingestion or inhalation hazards
34 - 3.11.4 Projections
34 - 3.12 CHILD RESTRAINTS DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
35 - SECTION 4 PERFORMANCE
35 - 4.1 GENERAL
35 - 4.2 HAZARDOUS THROAT CONTACT IN ABNORMAL SITUATIONS
35 - 4.3 DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE OF THE CHILD RESTRAINT
35 - 4.3.1 General
35 - 4.3.2 Type A1 child restraints
35 - 4.3.3 Type A2 child restraints
36 - 4.3.4 Type A3 child restraints
36 - 4.3.5 Type B child restraints
36 - 4.3.6 Type D child restraints
36 - 4.3.7 Type E child restraints
36 - 4.4 DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE OF UPPER ANCHORAGE COMPONENTS
38 - SECTION 5 TESTING
38 - 5.1 RECLINING CHILD RESTRAINTS
38 - 5.2 TEST DUMMIES
38 - 5.2.1 General
38 - 5.2.2 Test dummies for dynamic testing
38 - 5.2.3 Test dummies for determining the force required to operate adjusters in accordance with Clause 3.8(c)
38 - 5.3 CALIBRATION OF TNO TEST DUMMIES
38 - 5.4 CHILD RESTRAINT TEST SPECIMEN
41 - SECTION 6 INFORMATIVE LABELLING, INSTRUCTIONS, MARKING AND PACKAGING
41 - 6.1 SCOPE
41 - 6.2 GENERAL
41 - 6.2.1 Packaging
41 - 6.2.2 Language
41 - 6.2.3 Print size
41 - 6.2.4 Illustrations
42 - 6.2.5 Durability of marking
42 - 6.2.6 Adhesion of labels
42 - 6.2.7 Use of product name
42 - 6.3 INFORMATION TO BE SUPPLIED ON PACKAGING
44 - 6.4 INFORMATION TO BE SUPPLIED IN AN INSTRUCTION BOOKLET OR SHEET
44 - 6.4.1 General information
44 - 6.4.2 Instructions for installation
44 - 6.4.3 Instructions for use
44 - 6.4.4 Instructions for maintenance
45 - 6.5 INFORMATION TO BE SUPPLIED ON A SWING TICKET OR LABEL
45 - 6.6 MARKING
47 - APPENDIX A - CLOTHING FOR TEST DUMMIES
48 - APPENDIX B - SPACERS FOR ATTACHMENT TO TEST DUMMIES
49 - APPENDIX C - INSTRUCTIONS TO BE SUPPLIED FOR INSTALLATION OF THE UPPER ANCHORAGE FITTINGS
49 - C1 SCOPE
49 - C2 INFORMATION TO BE SUPPLIED

Specifies the requirements for restraining devices for child occupants of passenger cars and their derivatives.

This Standard specifies requirements for restraining devices for child occupants of passenger cars and their derivatives, such devices being intended when properly selected, correctly installed and correctly adjusted, to reduce the risk of bodily injury in a vehicle impact. The devices may also have application to other types of vehicles.NOTE: This Standard does not cover child restraints which are an integrated feature of a motor vehicle.

First published as AS E46-1970.
Revised and redesignated as AS 1754-1975.
Revised and redesignated in part as AS 1754.1-1989, AS 1754.2-1989 and AS 1754.4-1989.
AS 1754.1-1989, AS 1754.2-1989 and AS 1754.4-1989 revised, amalgamated and redesignated in part as AS 1754-1991.
Fourth edition 1995.
Jointly revised and designated as AS/NZS 1754:2000.