NC CPS Training Committee Policies
Criteria for Purchase of Child Restraint Systems for the State of North Carolina

updated 06-02-06   printable pdf
The NC CPS Training Committee has developed specifications that must be met for child restraint systems (CRS) purchased with funding by the State of North Carolina. The rationale used for establishing these criteria was to prohibit the purchase of child restraints with features that increase the chance of misuse by the parents or other care givers who will be using them.

It is the responsibility of the CR Manufacturer and/or Distributor and of the individuals or agencies purchasing child restraints with funds provided by or through the State of North Carolina to verify that specific models are in compliance with the following specifications at the time of purchase:

1. All Models
   1. With the exception of comfort and convenience items, CRS must be ready to use out of the box with no assembly required. Allowable comfort and convenience items are as follows:
      1. Detachable bases for installation of rear-facing only restraints. Bases that can be removed for use as a front-facing restraint are not included in this exclusion.
      2. Sunshade canopies
      3. Cup holders
      4. Head positioning accessories provided with the restraint
2. All models with harnesses (boosters excluded)
   1. Harness adjustment must be visible and accessible when installed, not out of sight or inside a compartment. When the CRS is used front facing, adjustment cannot be behind the CRS.
   2. Harness adjustment cannot require back-threading (re-looping) in order to lock the harness length.
      
3. Rear Facing Only (Infant Seats) Models
   1. Harness may be either 3-point or 5-point. No shields or harness shield combinations allowed.
      
4. Convertible Models
   1. Upper weight limit for the rear-facing position must be at least 30 pounds.
   2. Harness may be either 5-point or T-shield.
   3. Must be equipped with an attached tether with a tilt-lock adjustment for the tether. Single or double O-ring tether adjustments are prohibited.
      
5. Combination Models
   1. Harness may be either 5-point or T-shield.
   2. Must be equipped with an attached tether with a tilt-lock adjustment for the tether. Single or double O-ring tether adjustments are prohibited.
   3. Shoulder belt guide must be open loop or other design that does not restrict the movement of the shoulder belt through the guide.
      
6. High Back Belt Positioning Booster
   1. Must be equipped with a shoulder belt guide.
   2. Shoulder belt guide must be open loop or other design that does not restrict the movement of the shoulder belt through the guide.
      
7. Backless Belt Positioning Booster
   1. A shoulder belt guide that does not restrict the movement of the shoulder belt through the guide and/or introduce slack in the shoulder belt as the child moves is a preferred but optional feature

Adopted by the NC CPS Training Committee: December 30, 2003
Revision(s) Adopted by the NC CPS Training Committee: May 23, 2006

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