You can use child restraints approved to either 'R129' or 'R44', and will come across both types in shops.
The new standard for car seats, ECE Regulation 129 known as i-Size doesn’t replace the more familiar Regulation 44 (R44) but runs alongside it.
R44
- Overlapping weight groups (0-13kg, 9-18kg, 15-25kg and 22-36kg).
- Can be confusing.
- Can encourage you to switch your baby to forward-facing seat too early.
i-Size
Seats can be used up to the maximum stature (natural standing height) of the child, specified by the seat manufacturer.
Minimum requirements for i-Size:
- Rear facing may be applied to any age of child.
- Restraints for children up to 15 months must be rear facing.
- Restraints for children up to 15 months must accommodate at least a child with a stature of 83cm.
- Forward-facing seats mustn’t be designed to accommodate a stature below 71cm.
- A convertible seat in rear-facing configuration must accommodate children up to at least 83cm in height.
- i-Size seats can only be attached using ISOFIX anchorage points – there’s no option to install i-Size restraints using adult belts.
Why choose i-Size?
- You’re more likely to know your child's height than their weight so it should be easier to tell if a seat is suitable.
- i-Size seats keeps your children rear-facing for longer – rear facing is safer.
- i-Size approval includes a side impact test so seats should offer better all-round protection.
- ISOFIX should make fitting easier compared to seats fitted using adult belts.
Check your handbook
i-Size child seats can be used in any 'i-Size approved' seating position and must be installed according to the car manufacturer's instructions.
Check your vehicle handbook first to see if any seating positions are 'i-Size approved' (not available in cars registered before July 2013)
Vehicle-specific ISOFIX
If your car doesn’t have any i-Size approved seating positions, you may still be able to use an i-Size child restraint on seats with ISOFIX anchorage points. This is only if the vehicle and seating position are included in a vehicle-specific application list, supplied by the child restraint manufacturer.
If you plan to use your child seat in more than one vehicle it’s important to check that all have i-Size approved seating positions or appear on a vehicle specific application list.
8 February 2017