Technical bulletins
18 Seatbelt markings
Vehicle inspection requirements manual references
This bulletin gives guidance to vehicle inspectors in applying the following requirements in the VIRM: Entry certification:
Application
This bulletin applies to standards markings on seatbelts fitted to vehicles undergoing entry certification in New Zealand.
Clarification
Seatbelts must be labelled with an appropriate standards marking. This helps to determine compliance with an approved standard. Seatbelts may be marked with a code that indicates the type of retractor operation, such as ELR. Table 18-1-1 lists possible seatbelt markings and describes the type of retractor operation indicated by each marking.
Table 18-1-1. Seatbelt retractor operations markings
Seatbelt marking |
Seatbelt retractor operation |
---|---|
ELR |
Emergency locking retractor |
ALR |
Automatic locking retractor |
ELR/ALR |
A combination of emergency and automatic locking retractors, usually used in cars with child restraint seats, but can be used for other purposes. |
ELR-V |
Single-sensitive (for vehicle sensitivity only) emergency locking retractor |
ELR-VW |
Dual-sensitive (for both vehicle and web sensitivity) emergency locking retractor |
ELR-VW-4N or ELR-VN |
Dual-sensitive emergency locking retractor, but with less sensitivity in the webbing sensitivity function. This makes it ideal for use where an air seat or hydraulic cushion seat is fitted, as the retractor will not constantly lock-up as the operator moves up and down. |
Compliant seatbelts that are not required to have standard markings
- Seatbelts that comply with the Japanese Technical Standard for Seatbelt Assemblies are not required to have standards markings, provided the seatbelts are OE and the vehicle has Japanese type approval.
- Seatbelts in a fully Australian Design Rule (ADR)-compliant vehicle are not required to have standards markings.
Mislabelling
If the retractor operation of a seatbelt fitted to a vehicle does not match the operation indicated by the seatbelt marking (eg the seatbelt is marked ELR-V but appears to be web sensitive), the vehicle inspector must ignore the possibility of mislabelling, and inspect the performance of the seatbelts in accordance with the manufacturer’s marking.