USA - Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Child Restraint Systems, Child Restraint Anchorage Systems, Incorporation by Reference

This final rule amends Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 225; Child restraint systems, and FMVSS No. 213b; Child restraint systems, to improve ease-of-use of the lower and tether anchorages, improve correct use of child restraint systems in vehicles, and maintain or improve the correct use and effectiveness of child restraint systems (CRSs) in motor vehicles. 

This final rule fulfills a mandate of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP- 21) requiring that NHTSA improve the ease-of-use for lower anchorages and tethers in all rear seat positions. Effective date: March 10, 2025. 

  

IBR date: The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register beginning March 10, 2025.

   

Compliance date: This final rule adopts a 3-year phase-in period to comply with the updated requirements in FMVSS No. 225.

The phase-in begins on September 1, 2028, and requires that 20 percent of a manufacturer's applicable vehicles produced from September 1, 2028, to August 31, 2029, comply with the updated FMVSS No. 225, followed by 50 percent from September 1, 2029, to August 31, 2030, and 100 percent on and after September 1, 2030. 

Early compliance is permitted.Reconsideration date: If you wish to petition for reconsideration of this rule, your petition must be received by February 21, 2025.

This final rule is identified by Docket Number NHTSA-2024-0089. 

The Docket Folder is available on Regulations.gov at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NHTSA-2024-0089/document and provides access to primary and supporting documents. 

Documents are also accessible from Regulations.gov by searching the Docket Number. 

WTO Members and their stakeholders are asked to submit petitions for reconsideration for this final rule to the USA TBT Enquiry Point by or before 4pmEastern Time on February 21, 2025. 

Petitions for reconsideration received by the USA TBT Enquiry Point from WTO Members and their stakeholders will be shared with NHTSA and will also be submitted to the Docket on Regulations.gov if received within the comment period.

The notice of proposed rulemaking notified as G/TBT/N/USA/959 is identified by Docket Number  NHTSA-2014-0123. 

The Docket Folder are available on Regulations.gov at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NHTSA-2014-0123/document​ provides access to primary and supporting documents as well as comments received. 

Documents are also accessible from Regulations.gov by searching the Docket Number.