Mitsubishi Pushes for Changes in Australian Design Rules for Child Seat Safety

Mitsubishi Australia is calling on the Federal Government to align Australia’s vehicle design rules with global standards, particularly regarding the top-tether anchorage point for child seats. Shaun Westcott, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Australia, believes revising these rules would increase vehicle choices for Australian buyers while reducing costs.

Westcott argues that Australia’s current regulations are unique and outdated, placing an unnecessary burden on manufacturers and limiting consumer options. “If it’s good enough for Europe, the US, and Japan, what’s so different about us?” he said in an interview with Drive.

A Push for Global Harmonisation

Since the 1970s, Australian Design Rules (ADR 34) have required top-tether anchorage points for child seats in passenger vehicles, but these rules do not apply to all vehicle types. While some dual-cab ute manufacturers voluntarily include tether points, the rules are less stringent for light commercial vehicles. Mitsubishi, along with other carmakers, contends that harmonising Australia’s requirements with global standards would streamline vehicle design and manufacturing processes, ultimately benefiting consumers.

According to Owen Thomson, Mitsubishi Australia’s Product Manager for Frame Vehicles, most of the country’s ADRs are already in line with European regulations, with the exception of the top-tether requirement. The automaker has urged the Federal Government to review these rules to facilitate international harmonisation.

The Case for Change

Australia is a relatively small market, accounting for just one percent of global vehicle sales, which further limits the range of available vehicles. As one of the few right-hand-drive markets, Australia’s specific design rules add further complexity and cost for manufacturers, making it harder to offer a wide variety of vehicle options.

“We’ve harmonised with the world on ISOFIX child seat mounts, but top-tether points are unique to Australia,” Thomson explained, highlighting the country’s distinct requirements.

A National Debate

Mitsubishi’s stance has sparked a wider conversation. Carla Hoorweg, CEO of the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), believes it’s time to review these child seat regulations. "Whether those [rules] still make sense with contemporary vehicle design is the question that we've got," she said. ANCAP, which focuses on vehicle safety ratings, sees merit in revisiting the rules to ensure they align with modern safety features like side airbags and evolving vehicle structures.

While no immediate changes to ADR 34 have been announced, the Australian Government is currently reviewing vehicle standards to consider alignment with international practices. A spokesperson from the Department of Infrastructure confirmed that road safety remains a top priority and that a review of design rules was already scheduled for 2024-25.

The Importance of Child Seat Safety

Despite the differences between global and Australian regulations, child seat safety remains a concern for many parents. Christine Erskine, Executive Officer at KidSafe NSW, pointed out that many Australian parents still struggle to correctly install the top-tether strap on child seats, particularly in utes and older vehicles. Misuse of the tether strap is a common issue, with some parents attaching it to cargo clips instead of the anchor points.

In Australia, two approved methods are available for installing child restraints: using ISOFIX anchors or the car’s lap-only or lap-sash seatbelt. Even in older cars without top-tether points, regulations require one to be retrofitted before a child seat can be legally used.

The Road Ahead

Mitsubishi’s formal recommendation to the Australian Government is a step toward streamlining vehicle design rules with global standards. By reducing the complexities around top-tether anchor points and other unique Australian regulations, the automaker hopes to offer Australian buyers more vehicle options at lower costs.

With ongoing reviews and debates, the future of Australia’s child seat design rules may soon align with international standards, offering a more harmonised approach to safety without compromising protection for young passengers.