New Cdn Car Seat Regulations - Is it actually against the law to sell or give away a seat made...

[dot1]

New regulations have taken effect in Canada (more stringent safety testing and changes in ht/wt. limits).  There are rumours that it will be illegal to sell or give away a seat made before 2011 (even though the seat could still be perfectly safe).  However, I can't find anything on Health Canada or TransportCanada gov't websites that state this clearly.

I have a Chicco keyfit infant seat (purchased in 2011 but the seat was manufactured in Oct 2009) that I would like to re-sell in a few months.  Anyone aware of whether I will be "allowed" to do this?  Or is this just another case of the government "recommending" a course of action, but not actually planning to enforce it?  

Does anyone know if the 2009 Keyfit conforms to the new safety standards?  Chicco hasn't answered my inquiry - and I anticipate some sort of vague response as they would of course want you to buy a new seat....

Ethically, I feel fine about reselling my seat - it's an excellent seat, well taken care of and very safe.  Just want to make sure I won't be breaking any sort of law.

[jnjross]

yes it is actually illegal.

 "It is also important to note that if you own a car seat or booster seat made before January 1, 2012, under Health Canada’s Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, you may not be able to advertise, sell, or give it away because it may not meet the latest requirements set out by Health Canada and Transport Canada."

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safedrivers-childsafety-notices-2011c01-1168.htm

[dot1]

Originally Posted by jnjross 

yes it is actually illegal.

 "It is also important to note that if you own a car seat or booster seat made before January 1, 2012, under Health Canada’s Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, you may not be able to advertise, sell, or give it away because it may not meet the latest requirements set out by Health Canada and Transport Canada."

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safedrivers-childsafety-notices-2011c01-1168.htm

Thanks.  This is where it seems a bit grey to me. If it were by definition, illegal, then I don't think they would have said, "You MAY not....".  Rather, to me it should read, "You CANNOT....."  or, "you WILL NOT be able to advertise, sell or give it away because it may not meet requirements...."  

So if the authorities were REALLY serious, why not say, "It is strictly PROHIBITED to advertise, sell or give away a seat....and punishable by law" (or something similar) ????

Instead, it seems to me like they are implying that if it does meet the latest safety requirements, then you might be able to sell it.  And if it doesn't meet them, then you cannot.

Are you aware of whether this act is actually enforceable, by whom and what the penalties are?

Anyway, I think it's great that this issue is getting publicity/attention as I see far too many unsafe seats in thrift stores, etc.  I just am not convinced that it actually would be illegal to give away a seat made before 2012 that actually still did meet the safety standards.  As far as I can tell, the chicco keyfit I have is the exact same seat as the 2012 version (in Canada anyway).

Any thoughts on how this act will be enforced?