Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Do you know what you are buying?

Increasing evidence shows that the number of counterfeit seats and non-regulation seats are appearing on the market and unsuspecting parents are unwittingly buying into the ‘bargain’, unaware that they are putting their child’s life at risk.

The European Crash Test Standard for child restraints was introduced in 1982 and the orange label affixed to all car seats (actually a certificate) will have ECE RR 44 on it. Currently, the standard is 44/04 and any seats made before 1995 (44/01 and 44/02) are now illegal to use as they are not safe enough.

All car seats sold in the UK must meet EU regulation 44/04. This ensures that the seat is tested under crash conditions and is found to be reliable i.e. it doesn't just fall apart under impact, and that it does its job. Each
seat which passes this is awarded an orange sticker notifying the consumer that it is indeed ‘crash-ready’.

Explanation of the ECE-label 

  1. Indicates for which category the child seat has been approved. 
  2. Indicates for which Group by weight the seat is approved.
  3. "Y" shows that this child seat has a 5-point harness system with crotch strap 
  4. European Approval indicator 
  5. Indicates the country in which the approval was obtained (1=Germany, 2=France, 3=Italy, 4=the Netherlands etc.) 
  6. Approval number. The first two numbers show to which version ECE R 44 the child seat has been approved in this case ECE R 44/04.
  7. Is the ‘control’ number allocated to a specific seat. 

(From http://www.incarsafetycentre.co.uk/technical-european-regulations.html)


Many counterfeit seats and cheaper budget seats may not meet the safety requirements as deemed by law and thus do not have a certificate. Some counterfeit seats may also have older labels or ones which do not make any sense due to also being fake. When buying a seat, you should always make sure that there is a certificate on it.

Another indicator which can show the seat not being ‘real’ is that the user guide or instructions are in poor English, or there is hardly any English on them at all. This would suggest that the car seat was not made for the UK market and has simply been imported. A seat like this would not meet the high safety standards here in the UK and so would not only be illegal but could even add risk.

This video from the TRL shows what happens to a fake car seat in a crash test.



The same applies to second- hand seats. There is risk in buying a seat like this because you don’t know the history, i.e. has it been involved in an accident, but also because little fingers have a habit of picking and peeling labels off. How could you be sure that a car seat without labels had them to start with?

My advice would, as always, do your research into the seat itself and choose it on its merits and whether it is safe for your child. Don’t be drawn in by cheap, bargain seats. Choose from a reputable manufacturer and have it fitted to ensure complete safety.

More Information

http://www.trl.co.uk/trl-news-hub/transport-news/latest-transport-news/counterfeit-child-car-seats-put-childrens-lives-at-risk_801481006.htm
https://www.saferderbyshire.gov.uk/news/news_items/counterfeit_car_seats_are_putting_derbyshires_children_at_risk.asp
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motoringvideo/9649000/Fake-child-car-seats-are-putting-childrens-lives-at-risk.html


15 comments:

  1. Car seat is related with timing belt. So in case anyone needs to change the timing belt they can go to expert Timing Belt for that.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I simply want to tell you that I am new to weblog and definitely liked this blog site. Very likely I’m going to bookmark your blog . You absolutely have wonderful stories. Cheers for sharing with us your blog. EliaAndPonto.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. You completed a few fine points there. I did a search on the subject and found nearly all persons will go along with with your blog. https://www.eliaandponto.com/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for some other informative blog. Where else could I get that type of information written in such an ideal means? I have a mission that I’m just now working on, and I have been at the look out for such information. https://www.eliaandponto.com/michigan-pain-and-suffering-car-accident-law/

    ReplyDelete
  5. When it comes to buying a car seat, I think it’s worth investing in, and getting a good quality one. Though I hardly make ends meet, providing Dissertation Abstract Writing Services, I always invest in good quality seats for my kids – because I think it’s worth the investment.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for making this available; it is really beneficial to everyone. I'm a senior in college, and your writings have helped me choose a topic for my research project. They generally give me a lot of advice on Pay Someone To Do My Online Math Class because they have experienced writers.

    ReplyDelete
  7. There is so much in this article that I would never have thought of on my own. Your content gives readers things to think about in an interesting way. Thank you for your clear information. website

    ReplyDelete
  8. Truly, this article is really one of the very best in the history of articles. I am a antique ’Article’ collector and I sometimes read some new articles Buy necklace if I find them interesting. And I found this one pretty fascinating and it should go into my collection. Very good work!ourjewelryshop.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. The growing number of fake seats and unregulated seats in the market is proof that the auto industry has also fallen victim to inhumane behaviour. According to experts of Dissertation Editing Services, substandard seats in cars are a major cause of fatigue and accidents while driving.

    ReplyDelete
  10. "Physicians Revenue Group, Inc., a reputable name among medical billing companies in USA , has been providing top-tier medical billing services for over two decades. Our expertise empowers healthcare practices nationwide to optimize revenue cycles and achieve financial success."

    ReplyDelete
  11. The rise of phoney seats and unregulated seats on the market is evidence that cruel practises have also affected the auto sector.Dissertation Writing Services UK experts claim that poor automobile seats are a major contributor to driver weariness and accidents.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thai Green Curry is a delicious and popular dish, but it's important to know what you're buying when you purchase it. Some pre-made Thai green curries are high in sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats. Others may contain artificial ingredients and preservatives.

    When choosing a Thai Green Curry, it's important to read the label carefully. Look for a product that is low in sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats. It's also important to choose a product that contains natural ingredients and does not contain artificial ingredients or preservatives.

    ReplyDelete