It is essential that car seats are not only approved to the i-Size (R129) standard, but also additionally tested by independent organizations such as ADAC, ÖAMTC, Which?, TCS, RACE, NHTSA or Plus Test, as these tests provide a much more rigorous assessment of the performance of the seats under real crash conditions. Here are some reasons why these additional tests are important and what problems have been identified by IRTA with seats that have only R129 approval:

1. Assessment of real crash conditions

The i-Size approval (R129) sets stringent safety criteria, but additional tests carried out by ADAC and other organizations include more complex and severe crash scenarios than those required by official regulations. These tests cover:

• Front and side impact: While R129 tests these scenarios, independent organizations use more rigorous methods that include a greater number of different impact angles and speeds.
• Additional tests for lateral safety: Lateral tests are more severe in these assessments. For example, ADAC also tests the rollover resistance of the seat, a situation which is not fully simulated in the R129 approval.

2. Assessment of ergonomics and usability

Independent tests also look at other aspects not always assessed by official approvals:

• Child comfort: The ergonomics, adjustability and support offered in relation to the child’s age and weight.
• Ease of installation: Incorrect installation problems can seriously compromise seat safety. Organizations such as ADAC check how easily the seat can be installed correctly by parents.

3. Further testing for toxic substances

Some organizations, such as ADAC and Which? also check for toxic substances in the materials used in the car seat. Although the i-Size approvals do not include tests for these substances, it is important to eliminate the risks of exposure to hazardous chemicals for children.

4. Identifying common problems with i-Size approved seats only (R129)

ICRT (International Consumer Research & Testing) and similar bodies have identified a number of problems with seats that are R129 only, without further testing:

• Insufficient side-impact protection: although R129 includes requirements for side-impact tests, some seats do not provide sufficient protection for the child’s head and neck, especially at high speeds or angles different from those tested in the approval.
• Complicated installation: Many i-Size approved car seats are difficult to install correctly, leading to an increased risk of fitting errors. Additional tests highlight this through simulations of real users.
• Reduced rollover stability: Seats that do not pass the additional tests may have problems maintaining stability during rollovers, a scenario that is not tested in detail in the i-Size approval.

5. Evaluation of belts and restraint systems

In independent tests, the effectiveness of seat belts and ISOFIX anchorage systems are evaluated in detail. There have been cases where R129 type-approved seats have shown problems with these systems in additional tests, which may compromise child safety in the event of a severe accident.

6. Specific tests for the safety of premature and low birth weight babies

Independent organizations provide additional assessments for special categories of children, such as those born prematurely, for whom R129 approval is not always sufficient. Performance tests for their protection are essential to ensure that the seat can also protect more vulnerable children.

ICRT (International Consumer Research & Testing) is a global organization that works with consumer associations and testing organizations in different countries to carry out independent and objective evaluations of products, including child car seats. ICRT members include well-known organizations from around the world such as:

1. ADAC ( Germany) – The German Automobile Club, known for its rigorous car safety testing.
2. ÖAMTC ( Austria) – Austrian automobile club, which carries out safety tests for car seats and other products.
3. RACE ( Spain) – Royal Spanish Automobile Club, involved in safety and performance testing.
4. Which? (UK) – UK consumer protection organization that tests and evaluates a wide range of products.
5. Que Choisir (France) – French consumer association that carries out tests on various products and services.
6. TCS ( Switzerland) – Touring Club Schweiz, a Swiss automobile club that carries out safety tests on car seats.
7. Test-Achats/Test-Aankoop (Belgium) – Belgian consumer protection organization involved in independent testing and evaluation.
8. Stiftung Warentest (Germany) – German consumer product testing and evaluation institution.
9. Altroconsumo (Italy) – Italian consumer protection association known for its independent evaluations.

These organizations work together under the aegis of the ICRT to carry out tests to high standards of quality, safety and performance for various products, including car seats, thus providing valuable and impartial information to consumers worldwide.

In conclusion, the additional tests provide a superior level of safety and confirm whether the car seat really does meet the necessary standards for child protection in real-life traffic and accident conditions.