Do the standards apply to all mobility devices and motor vehicles?
Yes. WC19 requires that wheelchairs be crash tested in frontal-impact conditions that are apply to a severe crash of a passenger-size vehicle – i.e., 30 mph, 20 g. Therefore, wheelchairs that comply with WC19 can be considered suitable for occupancy in all types of motor vehicles. The standard also applies to all types of wheelchairs, as long as the wheelchair allows the wheelchair user to attain a seated position, as defined by a seatback angle of 30 degrees or less to the vertical and a seat angle of 30 degrees or less to the horizontal. If these conditions are met, any child or adult wheelchair that complies with the requirements of the standard can be labeled and marketed as a WC19 wheelchair, including manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, scooters, strollers, and tilt-in-space wheelchairs. For wheelchairs designed only for children under 22 kg (about six years old), the standard includes additional procedures for evaluating crash-worthy harnesses, similar to those found in child restraint systems, that are integrated into the wheelchair.