Due to the difficulties in protecting side facing occupants in front and rear impact situations, the European Commission has been considering a ban on the fitment of side facing seats to all motor vehicles for many years, with proposals on this subject dating back to the mid 1990's. However, the ban has finally been implemented as part of a package of amendments to the EC Directives on seats, safety belts and safety belt anchorages. The amending Directives issued as part of this package are as follows:
- 2005/39/EC - amending 74/408/EEC on the seats, seat anchorages and head restraints.
- 2005/40/EC - amending 77/541/EEC on safety belts and restraint systems.
- 2005/41/EC - amending 76/115/EEC on safety belt anchorages.
The prohibition on the fitment of side facing seats applies to all motor vehicles, with the following exceptions:
- M2 and M3 category vehicles of Classes I, II or A (i.e. buses and coaches with provisions for standing passengers).
- Ambulances and vehicles intended for use by the armed services, civil defence and fire services.
- M3 category vehicles of Class B (i.e. buses and coaches without provisions for standing passengers), having a gross vehicle weight greater than 10,000 kg. However, side facing seats are only permitted in these vehicles if they are grouped together at the rear of the vehicle to form an integrated saloon of up to 10 seats. This exemption is only available until 20/10/10, although this time limit may be extended, pending a review of accident statistics.
The other changes included in these amending Directives are the removal of the exemptions for folding seats and the introduction of specific clauses to exempt restraint systems intended solely for use of disabled people.
The implementation dates for these new Directives are as follows:
- 20/10/06 for all new types of vehicle, and
- 20/10/07 for all new vehicles.