Policy: International sales of mifold grab-and-go booster seat

Last updated: Wednesday, August 18, 2016

Dear US Retail Partner,

Mifold Ltd. has a strict policy regarding shipping the US version Mifold grab-and-go booster seat outside of the United States.

Policy

Mifold is legal to use in the US and in every country on earth that regulates backless booster seats. The US version of Mifold meets or exceeds the US regulatory standards NHTSA FMVSS 213 and is therefore, fully legal to use in the US for children aged 4 and above, weighing 40-100lbs and 43½-59" inches tall. 

Mifold Comfort is also regulated for use outside the US according to the following regulations, ECE R44.4 for Europe and the rest of the world. CMVSS 213 for Canada and CCC for China. 

The version of mifold Original sold in the US, is only regulated for use within the United States. 

The policy of Mifold Ltd. is to prohibit the shipping of Mifold Original to markets outside the US.  

Background

Child restraint systems (CRS) are required to protect children in collisions, which are still one of the leading contributors to childhood injury and death.  CRS are among the most highly regulated consumer products in the world and carry significant liability. The sale and use of CRS are governed by regulatory requirements that cover many important aspects including: design, testing, labelling, language, quality compliance, reporting and recall procedures.  Each territory worldwide defines its own regulatory framework.

Mifold manufactures products globally that are specifically designed and tested to meet the regulatory requirements of different territories.  The US versions are regulated according to the NHTSA standard FMVSS213. The RoW versions comply with specific United Nations requirements under the UN regulation ECE R44/04 that are not relevant under FMVSS213.

Correct usage, instructions and warnings

Safe use of all CRS is heavily dependent upon correct usage and installation.  This is true for all CRS, however it is especially relevant for mifold, which is a unique and innovative product that works completely differently to all other standard booster seats.

It is essential that parents and caregivers receive a product that includes the appropriate local language instruction manual, sewn-in labels and warning labeling.  A correctly installed CRS will reduce the risk of injury or death.  Incorrect use of a CRS can literally mean the difference between life and death; this is well documented in global research reports.

CRS instruction manuals and labels are highly regulated. It is unsafe to sell a child restraint without the instructions and labels being clear and understandable. In every territory where Carfoldio operates, we provide local labeling and instruction language combinations, even if not required by the law. This is our commitment to child passenger safety and is a public safety issue. The US version mifold only carries instructions and labelling in English and Spanish tailored specifically for the US market and for US regulations.