Current regulations
New car seat regulations came into effect on Jan 1, 2012. These changes were implemented to align with Health Canada's new Canada Consumer Product Safety Act. Some car seats manufactured before January 1, 2012 may be compliant, but the only way to know this for sure is for you to contact the manufacturer directly. By providing the manufacturer with the date of manufacture and model number and serial number of your child restraint, the manufacturer will be able to tell you whether or not your seat complies with the new regulations.
This means that if your seat is not compliant, it is illegal for resale or to be given away. Your seat is still safe to use (as long as not expired or crashed), but you can not resell unless it meets new regulations.
For more information:
Transport Canada on 2012 Regulations
"It is not necessary to replace a child seat as a result of these recent changes. However, the child seat should be replaced if it was in a car that was involved in a collision. Even if your child wasn’t in the child seat when the collision occurred, the child seat could be damaged. Child seats have expiry dates - so make sure you replace yours when it expires. If the shell or materials on the seat are ripped or damaged, replace it. The previous standards had provided a high level of safety for children for many years and will continue to provide protection throughout the useful life of a child restraint. It is 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 (including lending) away because it may not meet the latest requirements set out by Health Canada."
Expiration Years and Transport Canada’s Stance On New Regulations
"It is not necessary to replace a child seat as a result of these recent changes. However, the child seat should be replaced if it was in a car that was involved in a collision. Even if your child wasn’t in the child seat when the collision occurred, the child seat could be damaged. Child seats have expiry dates - so make sure you replace yours when it expires. If the shell or materials on the seat are ripped or damaged, replace it. The previous standards had provided a high level of safety for children for many years and will continue to provide protection throughout the useful life of a child restraint. It is 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 (including lending) away because it may not meet the latest requirements set out by Health Canada."
Health Canada on 2012 Regulations
"Car seats must have a National Safety Mark and meet current regulatory requirements. Remember that it is illegal to sell car seats that do not meet the current regulatory requirements. You should always check with the manufacturer before selling a car seat. Car seats must come with warnings, guidelines for use, installation instructions, and date of manufacture. Do not sell a car seat that is past the lifespan recommended by the manufacturer or that has been in a vehicle during a collision. Before selling a used car seat, check with Transport Canada (1-800-333-0371 or www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety) for more information and to find out if the car seat has been recalled. Also, be sure that it is in good condition with no missing parts and with functioning anchoring systems."
This means that if your seat is not compliant, it is illegal for resale or to be given away. Your seat is still safe to use (as long as not expired or crashed), but you can not resell unless it meets new regulations.
For more information:
Transport Canada on 2012 Regulations
"It is not necessary to replace a child seat as a result of these recent changes. However, the child seat should be replaced if it was in a car that was involved in a collision. Even if your child wasn’t in the child seat when the collision occurred, the child seat could be damaged. Child seats have expiry dates - so make sure you replace yours when it expires. If the shell or materials on the seat are ripped or damaged, replace it. The previous standards had provided a high level of safety for children for many years and will continue to provide protection throughout the useful life of a child restraint. It is 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 (including lending) away because it may not meet the latest requirements set out by Health Canada."
Expiration Years and Transport Canada’s Stance On New Regulations
"It is not necessary to replace a child seat as a result of these recent changes. However, the child seat should be replaced if it was in a car that was involved in a collision. Even if your child wasn’t in the child seat when the collision occurred, the child seat could be damaged. Child seats have expiry dates - so make sure you replace yours when it expires. If the shell or materials on the seat are ripped or damaged, replace it. The previous standards had provided a high level of safety for children for many years and will continue to provide protection throughout the useful life of a child restraint. It is 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 (including lending) away because it may not meet the latest requirements set out by Health Canada."
Health Canada on 2012 Regulations
"Car seats must have a National Safety Mark and meet current regulatory requirements. Remember that it is illegal to sell car seats that do not meet the current regulatory requirements. You should always check with the manufacturer before selling a car seat. Car seats must come with warnings, guidelines for use, installation instructions, and date of manufacture. Do not sell a car seat that is past the lifespan recommended by the manufacturer or that has been in a vehicle during a collision. Before selling a used car seat, check with Transport Canada (1-800-333-0371 or www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety) for more information and to find out if the car seat has been recalled. Also, be sure that it is in good condition with no missing parts and with functioning anchoring systems."