Safety Alert
Effective immediately - NZTA is advising all drivers that if BVL/Changzhou BWD seatbelts are fitted that they do not use their vehicle until replacements are fitted.
The markings on the BVL/Changzhou BWD seatbelts indicate certification to a European standard but testing by NZTA has found them to be non-compliant.
If these belts are fitted in the driver‘s seat, NZTA advises you not to use the vehicle until replacements are fitted. If fitted in other seating positions, NZTA advises you not to allow passengers to use those seats. The failures and even low-speed impacts are significant. Don't put yourself or others at risk.
A product recall is expected shortly.
Who is affected?
These BVL safety belts are used for retrofitting into vehicles including trucks, motorhomes, buses, and vans – including some purchased new at New Zealand agents. They are also commonly used to replace original equipment belts if belts have been damaged or fail a WOF or COF.
Vehicle inspectors have been instructed to fail a vehicle for its WoF or CoF inspection if these seatbelts are identified in your vehicle.
Check your vehicle and determine if your three-point seatbelts have labels that say BVL and Changzhou BWD as shown in the pictures above and in the attached information from NZTA.