Best possible test result in consumer test
European consumer test of child safety seats autumn 2009
Hip hip hurray! Besafe Izicombi X2 has got the best possible test result in the last European consumer test: Rear facing in group 0+/1 “Sehr Gut” (very good)!
The test, published in several European countries, was performed by “Stiftung Warentest” and “ADAC” in Germany in cooperation with “TCS” (Switzerland) and “ÖAMTC” (Austria). In the original test it is clearly stated that Besafe Izicombi X2 has achieved the best possible result – “Sehr Gut” when used rear facing.
Used forward facing Besafe Izicombi X2 obtains, as expected, “befriedigend” = satisfactory.
The rear facing installation procedure with floor support and anchorage belts is however evaluated negatively. Both installation and risk of misuse are given the note “ausreichend” = sufficient. This diminishes the total test result.
The installation procedure for Izicombi is the same as used for other rear facing seats in the Nordic market. This installation principle has been used in the Nordic countries for 40 years and is acknowledged as an acceptable standard.
In contrast to the European approval tests ECE R 44, this consumer test does not involve collision from behind. If this had been the case, the functions and necessity of the anchorage belts would have been clear. The function of the anchorage belts is to avoid rotation in case of an impact from behind. All rear facing group 1 car seats on the market have anchorage belts in order to pass the ECE R 44 approval test. The only exception is Besafe Izi Combi Isofix and Besafe Izi Kid Isofix that pass the test without anchorage belts due to a special energy absorbing system in the Isofix base developed by HTS Besafe.
In central Europe rear facing group 1 sears are not common, and so there is no understanding of the characteristics of these seats.
The fact that some consumer organizations have dissuaded from using Besafe Izicombi based on this test, is hence incomprehensible to us.
What signal would such a recommendation send to the consumers?
Which consequences would it have for the safey of the children?
Which alternatives exist for parents who do not have isofix? The answer is simple: other seats with exactly the same installation procedure.
Besafe Izicombi has previously been tested both in Finland and Sweden with the best results, both in crash tests and consumer tests. Besafe Izicombi X2 is one of only 3 seats that have passed the new Swedish PLUS test.
Based on this and other test HTS Besafe as will continue recommending Izicombi X2 rear facing up to 18 kg and urge everyone to read the instruction manual so that the seat is correctly installed.
Best regards
Frank D. Lilleheil
Manager Export and Product Development