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  7. Thule Test Center™: Ensuring car seat safety beyond standards
A Thule Maple car seat is being subjected to a crash test in the Thule Test Center.

The Commitment to Child Safety: A Deep Dive into Car Seat Testing

At the Thule Test Center™, our rigorous testing procedures are at the heart of our commitment to safety. With a meticulous approach to testing, Thule ensures that every car seat not only meets but often exceeds the highest standards of child passenger safety. As we crash our seats following several protocols, our goal is to fulfill all external and internal requirements, making every journey as safe as it can possibly be.

Meeting rigorous international standards

“In our relentless pursuit of safety, each Thule car seat undergoes a rigorous journey through the gauntlet of tests here at the Thule Test Center™. From the unforgiving crash simulations to the meticulous chemical scrutiny, our commitment goes beyond the standard requirements. We test to protect, ensuring every parent can feel confident that their child is secure in a seat that's endured tests as tough as the adventures they’re bound to embark on.

André Boberg, Team Manager of Testing

The R129 EU norm

The R129 is a crucial regulation within the EU that dictates if a product can be sold within its jurisdiction. It provides a stringent framework for safety standards, including enhanced side-impact protection, ISOFIX installation, and improved fitting for children based on their size and ensures a fit between car and child car seat. Achieving this homologation is fundamental, as it signifies the product's compliance with essential safety criteria. The term “i-Size” is often used as a synonym for R129, but it just refers to the compatibility of child seats and cars. Every i-Size seat complies with the R129 standard.

Thule tests accordingly to the protocol, and any external testing will be only done when the product is on the market.

The ADAC/Stiftung Warentest tests

Beyond meeting the mandatory regulations, Thule seats undergo the ADAC and Stiftung Warentest testing. These tests present more demanding crash scenarios, including heavier impacts and varying angles, and extend to the practicality of handling by consumers and chemical safety. This comprehensive testing ensures that Thule car seats are not only robust in protection but also exemplary in daily use.

The Swedish Plus Test

In line with our commitment to excel in safety, our car seats are submitted to the Swedish Plus Test, particularly for rearward-facing seats. It involves more rigorous crash testing than the EU norm and is a benchmark for safety in the Nordic countries. Passing the Plus Test (led by the Swedish insureance companies) signifies to parents across all regions that Thule car seats align with the highest safety aspirations.

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Extensive in-house testing

Environmental tests

To ensure durability against the elements, Thule car seats are subjected to:

  • Corrosion tests
  • Climate and temperature cycling
  • Functional evaluation in hot and cold environments
  • Material aging tests including exposure to UV, humidity, and heat
  • Drop tests
A Thule Maple infant car seat is put to the test by a machine in the Thule Test Center.

Durability and life-cycle tests

Car seats must withstand the test of time, which is why they are put through:

  • Lifetime cycling tests of all mechanical functions including buttons and handles
  • Shaking tests simulating driving on rough roads
  • Stress tests on strollers, ensuring that the car seats remain steadfast when used in tandem with Thule strollers
A machine in the Thule Test Center performs a durability test on a strap for a car seat

Chemical and structural integrity tests

The safety of materials is paramount, hence:

  • Chemical tests to ensure the non-toxicity of materials
  • Pull tests on load-bearing components like ISOFIX arms and the harness system

Conclusion

With each test passed, Thule reinforces the trust that parents place in our products. From the icy roads of Scandinavia to the sun-soaked highways of Southern Europe, Thule car seats are designed to deliver unmatched safety. We believe that every journey should be filled with exploration and joy, uncompromised by concerns for your child's safety. This is not just a responsibility for Thule; it is our mission and commitment to every family.

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A woman at the Thule Test Center secures a child crash test dummy in a car seat to prepare for a crash test.
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