Car seat side-impact standard is delayed and school bus child seats are exempted
Child car seats must meet the federal side-impact crash standard later than first set, giving small makers more time, and school bus child seats with the required labels are exempt. Forward-facing seats are no longer tested with the 12-month-old crash dummy.
Who it affects
Child car seat makers, including school bus child seat makers
When
The changes described here start on December 5, 2026.
- : Published in the Federal Register
- : The changes described here start to apply: child car seats must meet the side-impact crash standard
- : New school bus child seat labels required under the older standard
Official text
FR Doc. 2026-18380: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213a; Child Restraint Systems-Side Impact Protection; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213; Child Restraint Systems, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213b; Child Restraint Systems; Incorporation by Reference
On Federal Register. The official text is what counts; read it before you act.
Not legal advice. Plain-English summaries to help you find what changes and when. Not legal advice: read the official text, and ask a lawyer about your situation.