COLUMBUS, Ind. -- A new facility in Columbus will help develop safer car seats for children.

Dorel Industries officially began operations Thursday at a multimillion dollar Technical Center for Child Safety at the company's Columbus plant, 6News' Rafael Sanchez reported.

Besides the frontal crash simulations, the facility will also test for side- and rear-impact crashes, which are not currently included in federal guidelines.

"Side-impact crashes have been increasing the last two decades and the deaths have been increasing," said Dorel Juvenile Group USA President Dave Taylor. "It's absolutely critical we introduce new testing for side impacts."

Taylor said Dorel tests its seats to handle a 4-pound baby all the way through a 10-year-old weighing 108 pounds.

Indiana law requires children 8 years old and younger ride in a federally approved car seat or booster seat appropriate for the child's height and weight. Children up to 16 years old are required to use a seat belt.