Dorel Distribution Canada Welcomes New Children's Car Seat Standards

Earlier models continue to provide high level of safety

TORONTO, Jan. 3, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - New Transport Canada testing and performance requirements were implemented for children's car seats New Year's Day. They are designed to further enhance the safety of children, with additional lap/shoulder belt testing to better reflect the use of child restraints in today's vehicles, the provision for larger children in car seats and new dynamic testing for booster seats. Dorel Distribution Canada (DDC), a division of Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.B, DII.A) the global leader in car seats, today stated that all of its car seats now at Canadian retailers meet the new requirements.

DDC President, Mark Robbins, said the updated standards are an excellent government initiative and will encourage the use of infant and child restraint systems for a longer period of time.  He also pointed out that seats manufactured prior to the changes can still be used.

"Seats on the market prior to January 1st have provided a high level of safety for many years and will continue to do so throughout the useful life of the units, generally from 6 to 8 years.  There is no need to replace a child seat unless it was involved in a collision or if the seat's shell or materials have been torn or damaged. Parents should always check the expiry date of the seat and replace it as indicated."

New, improved child-sized crash test dummies are now being used to test for greater occupant mass limits.  The new standards for infant restraint systems increase from 9 kg to 10 kg and for child restraint systems from 22 kg to 30 kg.  In addition, there are new dynamic (moving) testing requirements for booster seats.

The new regulations are part of a regular process of reviewing and upgrading standards on the level of safety for children using up-to-date testing technology. The new standards were implemented to incorporate new and unique Canadian testing requirements using a lap/shoulder belt to secure car seats in vehicles.

Dorel Distribution Canada sells car seats under the Safety 1^st, Cosco, Maxi-Cosi, Eddie Bauer and Disney labels.

For further information, please consult Transport Canada at www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safedrivers-childsafety-faq-1131.htm.

Profile
Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.B, DII.A) is a world class juvenile products and bicycle company. Established in 1962, Dorel creates style and excitement in equal measure to safety, quality and value. The Company's lifestyle leadership position is pronounced in both its Juvenile and Bicycle categories with an array of trend-setting products.  Dorel's powerfully branded products include Safety 1^st, Quinny, Cosco, Maxi-Cosi and Bébé Confort in Juvenile, as well as Cannondale, Schwinn, GT, Mongoose, IronHorse and SUGOI in Recreational/Leisure.  Dorel's Home Furnishings segment markets a wide assortment of both domestically produced and imported furniture products, principally within North America. Dorel is a US$2.3 billion company with 5,400 employees, facilities in twenty-one countries, and sales worldwide.

Dorel Industries
Rick Leckner
[phone] ext. 222