It is understandable that looking at text of the numerous national and international standards can be cumbersome and a bit overwhelming. Below you will find a table of information to provide a quick overview of the international and US standards related to wheelchair transportation safety (WTS) for your reference.  


All of these standards are VOLUNTARY and should be implemented in the context of the full spectrum of daily activities of wheelchair users and the range of industry standards to which all wheelchairs should comply. The primary purpose of the standards are to promote and encourage enhanced transportation safety and usability for wheelchair-seated occupants. However, non-compliance of the products with the provisions of these standards should not, and cannot, under federal law, be used to deny or limit access to, and availability of, motor vehicle transportation to wheelchair users. 

ANSI/RESNA (USA)

ISO (International)

Product TypeStd NameFull TitleStd NameFull Title
Rear-Facing WC containment and occupant retention systems in large, fixed-route transit buses WC10 WC-4:2012, Section 10: Wheelchair containment and occupant retention systems for use in large accessible transit vehicles: systems for rearward-facing passengersISO 10865-1 ISO 10865-1:2012 Wheelchair containment and occupant retention systems for accessible transport vehicles designed for use by both sitting and standing passengers — Part 1: Systems for rearward-facing wheelchair-seated passengers
Wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint systems (WTORS)WC18WC-4:2012, Section 18: Wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint systems for use in motor vehiclesISO 10542-1ISO 10542-1:2012 Technical systems and aids for disabled or handicapped persons – Wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint systems — Part 1: Requirements and test methods for all systems
WheelchairsWC19WC-4:2012, Section 19: Wheelchairs used as seats in motor vehiclesISO 7176-19ISO 7176-19:2008 Wheelchairs — Part 19: Wheeled mobility devices for use as seats in motor vehicles
Wheelchair Seating Systems made by a 3rd party manufacturer that can fit on several commercial wheelchair framesWC20WC-4:2012, Section 20: Wheelchair seating systems for use in motor vehiclesISO 16840-4ISO 16840-4:2009 Wheelchair seating — Part 4: Seating systems for use in motor vehicles
Forward-Facing WC containment and occupant retention systems in large, fixed-route transit busesNo standard developed yet.ISO 10865-2ISO 10865-2:2015 Wheelchair containment and occupant retention systems for accessible transport vehicles designed for use by both sitting and standing passengers — Part 2: Systems for forward-facing wheelchair-seated passengers

A PDF file with this table is available for download below. 

Quick Guide to Wheelchair Transportation Safety Standards