On December 14, 2006, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published two Final Rules in the Federal Register for 49 CFR, Part 572, "Anthropomorphic Test Devices" [Docket No's. NHTSA 2004-25441 and 25442]. These two final rules amend the agency's Part 572 Regulations on anthropomorphic test devices by adding specifications and qualification requirements for 2 new side impact test dummies as follows:
- A new mid-size adult male crash test dummy, called the "ES–2re" test dummy. NHTSA claims that this new ES–2re test dummy has enhanced injury assessment capabilities compared to other devices existing today. NHTSA says that this allows for a fuller assessment of the types and magnitudes of the injuries occurring in side impacts and of the efficacy of countermeasures in improving occupant protection.
- A new 5th percentile adult female crash test dummy, called the "SID–IIs" test dummy. NHTSA says that this SID–IIs dummy is instrumented in the head, thorax, abdomen and pelvis, which enables it to assess in a comprehensive manner the performance of vehicles in protecting small-stature occupants in side impacts.
Both of these two final rules will become effective on June 12th 2007. NHTSA also has future plans to issue a final rule amending 49 CFR, Part 571, FMVSS 214 "Side Impact Protection" in the near future that would require the use of these two new test dummies in certification tests for FMVSS 214.