1) What is FMVSS and does it apply to me and my van?

The short answer is yes. If you are driving any type of vehicle in the United States, FMVSS regulations apply to you. FMVSS stands for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, which are safety regulations established to help protect vehicle occupants in the event of an accident.

Learn more about the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards using the link below:w:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/laws-regulations/fmvss
 
2) Why do I need to install a passenger seat with integrated (3-point) seat belts?
It is a federal requirement under U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) under 10,000 lbs are required to have 3 point seat belts for every forward facing passenger seating position.
 
3) What do I need to know when shopping for a passenger seat?
All passenger seats must meet FMVSS seat structure and seat belt anchorage strength requirements. This means the seat frame, seat belt mounting points, and seat base or pedestal must be strong enough to withstand the forces applied during an FMVSS 207/210 pull test, which is typically performed at an engineering test laboratory.

During testing, the seat assembly must withstand forces equal to 6,000 lbs plus 20 times the combined weight of the seat and base. The mounting base or pedestal must also securely hold the seat assembly in place throughout the test.

The bottom line: when shopping for seats, ask the vendor or manufacturer whether the seats you are considering are FMVSS 207/210 compliant.
NOTE : ECE tests and standards are not the same or equivalent to US FMVSS standards. Forward Passenger Seats used in US vehicles have to meet US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards!

4) OK, I bought an FMVSS certified passenger seat, bench seat, or captain’s chair, but how do I mount it in my van?

That is a great question.

There are seat manufacturers that go through the process of designing and testing their seats to meet FMVSS safety standards, but then leave it up to the upfitter or customer to determine how to properly install and reinforce the vehicle floor and underside structure.

If you invested good money in a certified seat but were given little to no guidance on how to properly mount and reinforce your van’s floor for a safe installation, then what good is the certification? A safe seating system depends not only on the seat itself, but also on how it is mounted to the vehicle.

5) What is a tested and certified cargo an seating solution?
A tested and certified cargo van seating solution is a complete system consisting of the passenger seat frame(s), mounting base, top side floor mounting plate, and underside support brackets that are specifically designed to work together as one integrated assembly.

These components are engineered to successfully pass an in vehicle pull test in accordance with FMVSS 207/210 requirements, helping ensure the seating system can withstand the forces experienced during a collision or panic stop.

Note: What does NTEA, The Work Truck Association, have to say about adding passenger seats to a cargo van; “Many companies are interested in the flexibility modern cargo vans provide in transporting both cargo and people, electing to add seats behind the front row. Adding seats to a cargo van requires planning and engineering to accommodate the extra safety standards applicable to carrying passengers . All passenger seats in a vehicle are subject to safety standards that apply to seat belts, seat belt anchorages, seating systems (the seat itself and how it is attached to the vehicle), and flammability resistance of the seat materials. Seat structures/belts are subject to FMVSS 207/210 pull tests which require certain attachment systems designed to interact with a specific OEM’s van floor design. Any modifier or seating system supplier should have specific instructions about seat and seat belt attachment points and the method used to affix the seat to the vehicle floor -- all based on testing of the specific cargo van model.”