COMISSÃO DAS COMUNIDADES EUROPEIAS 
COM(90) 524 final 
Bruxelas, 14 de Novembro de 1990 
Alteração da proposta de 
Directiva tio Conselho 
relativa à aproximação das legislações dos Estados-membros 
respeitantes ao uso obrigatório dos cintos de segurança 
nos veículos de menos de 3,5 toneladas 
(Apresentada pela Comissão ao Conselho 
nos termos do na 3 do artigo 149o. do Tratado CEE) 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
Subject : Amendment to the proposal for a Council Directive on the 
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to 
the compulsory use of safety belts In vehicles of less than 
3.5 tonnes to Include the restraining of children 
Background : 
A Parliamentary Resolution of 13 March 1984C), on the introduction 
of a programme of Community measures to promote road safety called upon 
the Community to make every effort to Improve road safety and specified 
that among those measures to which immediate priority should be given 
was the introduction of compulsory wearing of safety belts on all 
roads, both rural and urban. A further Resolution of 
18 February 1986 <2) urged that the compulsory wearing of belts 
should apply to ail passengers, including chi Idren, except in public 
service vehicles. 
In its draft resolution on the Implementation of a Community road 
safety programme , submitted to the Council on 20 March 1984(3), the 
Commission recommended a number of measures to be taken in this 
context, including one concerning the wearing of safety belts in both 
front and rear seats. The Council Resolution of 19 December 1984^4^ 
welcomed the Commission's Initiative, affirmed the need to provide for 
Community action on road safety and Invited the Commission to submit 
proposals, undertaking at the same time to ensure their rapid 
adoption. It noted that the Commission's draft contained specific 
areas where action was proposed: among these areas was the wearing of 
safety belts. 
These Initiatives resulted In the proposal COM (88) 544<5). 
Article 7 of the proposal gave an exemption to children under 12 years 
of age from wearing seat belts and restraint systems because "the 
Commission believes It will be necessary to conduct a study of Member 
States laws and practices concerning child restraints before proposing 
Community norms on this subject". The proposal contains the following 
'Whereas' - "Whereas the technical requirements of child restraint 
systems are still the subject of discussions and study by the 
Commission and will therefore be the subject of a later amendment to 
this Directive." The Commission undertook to submit to the Council, 
before 1 January 1991, a proposal for a Directive relating to special 
restraint systems for children under twelve. 
(1) O.J. N" C 104, 16.04.1984, P. 38 
(2) O.J. N" C 68, 24.03.1986, P. 35 
(3) O.J. N* C 95, 06.04.1984. P. 2 
(4) O.J. N' C 341, 21.12.1984, P 1 
(5) O.J. N' C 298, 23.11.1988, P. 8 
4* 
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The European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee delivered 
their opinions on the proposal on 17 Marcha and 27 April 1989^7^. 
The European Parliament emphasised "that the Commission should as soon 
as possible submit new proposals regarding compulsory seat belts for 
children under 12 years old". 
The ESC took the view that "there are already enough restraint systems 
on the market specially designed for small children (under 12) to 
Justify an early adoption of a Directive for this category of passenger 
too". 
Chi Id Restraint Systems 
Children cannot use adult seat belts effective My without some kind of 
complementary system. Special child restraints have therefore been 
developed. Smaller children In many countries travel in a rearward 
facing position In order to reduce neck loading In a frontal collision 
thereby distributing the loads on the back of the child. For older 
children; forward facing systems, using separate belts or the adult 
seat belt with a modified geometry are common. 
The use of child restraints has proven to be very effective. Rearward 
facing systems suitable for smaller children (new born up to 2 or 3 
years old) reduce the risk of Injury by approx. 90 % while forward 
facing systems suitable for older children reduce numbers of injuries 
by 60 %. 
These high efficiencies are linked to the correct use of the restraint. 
Today there are a number of types of child restraint systems on the 
market : 
1. Rearward facing child seat for new born infants, where the car 
Instrument panel is not used as part of the restraint system. The 
seat Is anchoraged by the adult seat belt and can be used In both 
the front and rear seats. 
2. Rearward facing child seats for children aged from 9 months up to 2 
or 3 years, mainly for front seat mounting and using the Instrument 
panel as part of the restraint system. 
3. Forward facing booster cushions where the child is restrained by 
the adult seat belt and the cushion Is anchored to the car, the 
seat belt being guided through hooks. The booster cushion is 
recommended for children below the age of approx 10 years who have 
outgrown rearward facing child seats. 
4. Forward facing booster chairs, which are cushions with a seat back 
and a head rest. 
(6) opinion of the European Parliament: O.J. N" C 96, 17.04.1989, 
P. 220 
(7) opinion of the ESC: O.J. N* C 159, 26.06.1989, P. 52 
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5. Forward facing child seats suitable for smaller children from 9 
months to 4 years. 
6. Child seat belts In the form of a harness (although some consider 
that the three point belt Is generally safer than the full harness 
system). 
The standard for Child Restraint Systems 
ECE Reg 44 - "Uniform Provisions concerning the approval of Restraining 
Devices for Child Occupants of powerdriven Vehicles ("Child 
Restraints")" Is the most commonly used regulation on child restraints 
In Europe and covers all types of child restraint systems. The 
regulation works well and has led to a considerable Increase In the 
quality of the products used In Europe. A Community Directive Is to be 
based on ECE Reg 44 which will take on board the planned amendments to 
that regulation aimed at better alignment with modern passenger car 
restraint systems. 
To date there are around 200 different types of restraint system 
approved under ECE Reg 44. 
Contents of the amendment 
With the progress made by Member States In defining national 
requirements for the approval of child restraint systems It is now 
possible to adapt the base proposal (COM (88) 544) to include children 
and their restraint systems. 
This adaptation legislates for the mandatory use of child restraint 
systems in such a way that does not preclude children from travelling 
In a car where suitable restraint systems are not available. However, 
it does encourage the availability of suitable restraint systems by 
insisting that children of all ages can travel in the front passenger 
seating position only if they are restrained by a system commensurate 
with their age and size. 
Children occupying the forward facing rear seating positions should be 
restrained by appropriate systems If they are available in the car. The 
technical standard to which child restraint systems are approved will 
be those of Member States national requirements until such time that a 
Directive is passed on a harmonised community standard. 
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Alteração da proposta de 
Directiva do Conselho 
relativa à aproximação das legislações dos Estados-membros 
respeitantes ao uso obrigatório dos cintos de segurança 
nos veículos de menos de 3,5 toneladas 
A proposta da Comissão de 26 de Outubro de 1988, documento 
C0M(88)554(1), e alterada do seguinte modo : 
1. 0 artigo 2Q deve ser alterado de modo a incluir o sistema de 
retenção de crianças: 
"Artigo 2o_ 
1. Os Estados-membros devem assegurar que o condutor e os 
passageiros dos bancos da frente dos veículos da categoria M1 
que estejam em circulação, matriculados peia primeira vez em 1 
de Março de 1979 ou após esta data, utilizam cintos de 
segurança homologados ou estão seguros por um sistema de 
retenção homologado. As crianças com 12 anos de idade ou mais 
podem utilizar os cintos de segurança homologados para adultos. 
As crianças com idade inferior a 12 anos podem ocupar o banco 
de passageiros da frente se utilizarem um sistema de retenção 
separado ou adicional ao cinto de segurança para adultos e 
adaptado à Idade e peso da criança. Tal sistema deve ter sido 
declarado válido pelas autoridades competentes de um Estado-
membro e ser reconhecido como tal noutros Estados-membros. 
(1) JO no C 298 de 23.11.1988, p. 8. 
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2. Os Estados-membros devem assegurar que, o mais tardar em 1 de 
Janeiro de 1993, os passageiros com 12 anos de Idade ou mais 
que ocupam os bancos traseiros voltados para a frente dos 
veículos da categoria M1 que estejam em circulação, 
matriculados pela primeira vez em 1 de Janeiro de 1990 ou após 
esta data utilizam cintos de segurança homologados ou estão 
seguros por um sistema de retenção homologado. 
3. Os Estados-membros devem assegurar que, o mais tardar em 1 de 
Junho de 1991, todas as crianças com Idade Inferior a 12 anos 
que ocupem os bancos traseiros voltados para a frente dos 
veículos de categoria M1 que se encontrem em circulação, 
independentemente da data de matricula do veiculo, devem 
utilizar um sistema de retenção caso exista. 0 cinto de 
segurança ou o sistema de retenção homologados mencionados no 
no. 2 do artigo 2o. é autorizado para crianças com mais de 4 anos 
de idade. As crianças com idade Inferior devem estar seguras 
por um sistema separado ou adicional ao cinto de segurança para 
adultos, adaptado à idade e ao peso da criança. Tal sistema 
deve ter sido declarado válido peias autoridades competentes de 
um Estado-membro e ser reconhecido como tal noutros Estados-
membros." 
2. 0 artigo 3o e alterado por forma a Incluir os sistemas de retenção 
de crianças. 
"Artigo 3Q 
Os Estados-membros devem assegurar que, o mais tardar em 1 de 
Janeiro de 1993, o condutor e os passageiros dos bancos da frente 
dos veículos das categorias M2 e N1 que estejam em circulação, 
matriculados pela primeira vez em 1 de Outubro de 1991 ou após esta 
data, utilizam cintos de segurança ou estão seguros por um sistema 
de retenção homologado. 
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As crianças com 12 anos de idade ou mais podem utilizar os cintos 
de segurança homologados para adultos. As crianças mais novas podem 
ocupar o banco de passageiros da frente se estiverem seguras por um 
sistema separado ou adicional ao cinto de segurança para adultos e 
adaptado à Idade e peso da criança. Tal sistema deve ter sido 
declarado válido pelas autoridades competentes de um Estado-membro 
e ser reconhecido como tal noutros Estados-membros." 
3. 0 artigo 6o. é alterado de modo a incluir os sistemas de retenção de 
cr lanças. 
"Artigo 6Q 
O disposto nos artigos 2o., 3Q e 4a e no artigo 7Q apllca-se aos 
condutores e passageiros de veículos em circulação na Comunidade 
registados num pais terceiro se tais veículos dispuserem de cintos 
de segurança e de sistemas de retenção." 
4. O artigo 7Q é suprimido. 
5. Os artigos 9o, 10o © 11o passam a ser, respectivamente, os artigos 
7o, 8o, 9o e 10o. 
Feito em Bruxelas, em 
Pelo Conselho 
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Competitiveness and Employment Impact Statement 
What is the main reason for Introducing the measure? 
The current proposal exempts children under 12 years of age 
from the mandatory use of seat belts and restraint systems. 
This amendment includes children of all age groups. 
By adopting the amendment will ensure that children in the 
front passenger seating position are adequately protected, 
children in the rear will be protected If restraint systems are 
aval table. 
Features of the business In question 
Mandating the use of child restraint systems will have a 
positive benefit for system manufacturers. 
in. What obligations does this measure Impose directly on business? 
Business cars of categories Ml, M2 and Ni should be equlped 
with suitable child restraint systems for the front passenger 
seat If a child Is carried In that seat. Where no children are 
carried then there are no obligations. 
IV. What indirect obligations are national, regional or local 
autharltles Mkelv to Impose on business? 
Implementation of the obligations as described under III 
V. Are there anv special provisions In respect of SME's? 
None. 
VI. What Is the likely effect on : 
a) the competitiveness of business 
None 
b) employment 
None 
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VII. Have the relevant representative organisations been consulted? 
Yes. Road Safety organisations gave a favourable opinion apart 
from those of the UK, FRG and Danish authorities who refute 
community competence In the area of mandatory use of seat belts 
etc. 

ISSN 0257-9553 
COM(90) 524 final 
DOCUMENTOS 
PT 07 05 06 
N.° de catálogo : CB-CO-90-571-PT-C 
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