USA (NHTSA) - Final Rule on Anthropomorphic Test Devices; Q3s 3-Year-Old Child Side Impact Test Dummy

​On November 05, 2020, the NHTSA released the final rule that amends NHTSA’s regulation on anthropomorphic test devices (ATD) to add design and performance specifications for a test dummy representing a 3-year-old child, called the ‘‘Q3s’’ test dummy. The Q3s is an instrumented dummy that can assess the performance of child restraint systems in protecting small children in side impacts. Adding the Q3s provides NHTSA a new test device that can be used to improve side impact protection for children.

This final rule amends NHTSA’s regulation on anthropomorphic test devices (49 CFR part 572) by adding a new Subpart W that sets forth design and performance specifications and qualification tests for a test dummy representing a 3-year-old child, called the Q3s test dummy.

The effective date of this final rule is: January 4, 2021