Changes to Australian Design Rules: What the Future Holds for Child Seat Fitting in Your Car

For many families, the ability to fit three child seats side-by-side in a car is not just a convenience—it's a lifesaver. It can make trips much easier, especially when you have multiple young children. The middle seat, in particular, is often the best option for ensuring that there's room for both children and adults, particularly in smaller cars or SUVs. However, this could all be about to change as the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) undergo a review, which may impact how child seats are fitted in vehicles.

Here’s everything you need to know about the proposed changes and what they might mean for your family’s car setup.

The Current Law on Fitting Child Seats

In Australia, the rules around fitting child seats in cars are outlined in the Australian Design Rules (ADRs), particularly ADR 34. This regulation mandates that all passenger vehicles must have three top-tether anchor points in the second row to be classified as a five-seat car. For most cars manufactured in the last 20 years, this is already in place, allowing parents to safely secure child seats using the top tether.

These anchor points are critical for securing child seats, whether they are capsules for babies, convertible car seats for toddlers, or booster seats for older children. Interestingly, there is currently no law that requires vehicles with seven or eight seats to include top-tether points in the third row, though some manufacturers have chosen to include them in their larger SUVs and people movers. Light commercial vehicles, like utes, are generally exempt from having top-tether points, although many do include them.

What's Changing?

The Australian Government has been actively reviewing its vehicle regulations. Since 2023, 13 new ADRs have been introduced, and 31 existing ones have been updated. In 2024, the government commissioned an independent review by Dr. Warren Mundy to examine whether Australia’s standards should be more closely aligned with international norms.

While ADR 34 hasn't been specifically targeted for change, the review could have significant implications for how child seats are fitted. One of the major changes being discussed is the possibility of making the middle seat's top-tether anchor optional rather than mandatory. If this change happens, it could mean that using the middle seat to secure a child seat would no longer be a legal option for new cars being sold in Australia. Parents would then be limited to using the outboard seats, potentially reducing the number of child seats that can be installed in a five-seat car.

Why the Change?

Nissan and Mitsubishi, two major car manufacturers in Australia, are among those advocating for this change. Their argument centers around the need for Australia to harmonize its standards with those set by the United Nations (UN). By not requiring a third top-tether point on every car sold here, they claim it would speed up the introduction of more low-emission vehicles, including smaller, more affordable electric cars.

The benefits, according to these manufacturers, would include faster compliance with international standards, potentially lowering costs for consumers. These savings could make cars more affordable, which would ease financial pressures for Australian families, particularly in the context of rising living costs.

Nissan’s spokesperson emphasized that by updating the Road Vehicle Standards Act (RVSA), Australia could increase vehicle options and encourage a quicker transition to electric vehicles without compromising safety. Mitsubishi’s CEO, Shaun Westcott, also highlighted that the current unique ADR requirements limit the variety of cars available in Australia, especially when compared to other markets like Europe, Japan, and the US.

Why Shouldn't It Be Changed?

On the other side of the debate, there are those who believe that Australia should maintain its current high standards for child seat safety. Carl Liersch, General Manager of APV-T Engineering and Testing Services, argues that Australia's child seat regulations, including the mandatory top-tether anchor point, set a global benchmark for safety. He emphasizes that these regulations play a crucial role in keeping children safe, particularly in the event of a collision.

Liersch points out that top-tether anchors are especially important for older children in booster seats, as they help to secure the seat more effectively in an accident. He also stresses that the Australian market already offers a wide variety of car models, making it unnecessary to lower safety standards in order to increase vehicle choice.

Additionally, some argue that Australia's safety standards are already aligned with global standards, including those in the United States and Canada, which also require at least two top-tether anchor points in most passenger cars.

Cars Without Centre-Seat Top-Tether Points

It's worth noting that some cars have already been sold in Australia without the required middle-seat top-tether. For example, in early 2024, certain Tesla Model 3 sedans were recalled because they lacked the centre-seat top-tether point. Similarly, BYD had to recall its Atto 3 electric SUV in 2022 when it was discovered that the middle-seat anchor point was hidden behind the seat lining and not accessible. Honda also had issues with the HR-V SUV missing the middle anchor point, though the model was sold as a four-seat car in Australia.

What This Means for You

If the proposed changes to ADR 34 go ahead, parents may no longer have the option of using the centre seat for a child seat in future vehicle purchases. For families who rely on this middle seat to accommodate three child seats, this could mean significant inconvenience. It might also restrict the number of child seats you can safely fit in your car, especially in smaller vehicles or SUVs.

It’s important for Australian parents to stay informed about these potential changes and understand how they could impact their car choices. While the government continues to review these regulations, it’s crucial to consider the balance between safety, convenience, and affordability when it comes to family vehicles.

As the debate continues, the government has assured the public that it is committed to ensuring that all regulations remain relevant and in line with the best safety practices. However, as with any major regulatory shift, it’s essential to keep a close eye on developments and be ready for any changes that might come your way.

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Credit: Drive.com.au