In the Safety Standards section we provide information on how each car seat model has been tested so that it is approved in accordance with the requirements of the European Union market.

 

SChild car seats must undergo accident simulation tests to check whether or not the seat is safe enough to be sold.

There are currently 2 regulations: ECE R44 / 04 and ECE R129 (also known as i-Size standard). In the table below we have summarized the differences between the two regulations to make it easier to understand.

ECE R44/04 ECE ECE R129 (i-Size)
Classification of car seats according to the child’s weight (in kg) Classification of car seats according to the child’s height (in cm)
Car seats classified into groups (Group 0+, 1, 2, 3) There are no groups
Children can be carried face to face from a weight of 9 kg Children must be transported with their backs to the direction of travel until the age of 15 months
Applies to both seat belt seats and Isofix seats Only applies to Isofix seats
Front and rear impact testing Front, rear and side impact testing
P-type dummies used for testing have 4 sensors Q-type dummies used for testing have 32 sensors

The main purposes of the i-Size standard

The ECE R129 standard, also known as the i-Size standard, is a constantly evolving regulation. The table above contains the main differences between the 2 standards. I-Size arose from the need to increase the safety of the child transported in the car and has the following purposes:

  • To reduce the risk of incorrect use and installation by the presence of Isofix.
  • To promote the transportation of children with their backs to the direction of travel for as long as possible, at least up to 15 months.
  • To make the classification of car seats simpler, depending on the length of the child and not based on weight.
  • To force the production of safer car seats by adding side impact testing.
  • To increase the compatibility between the seat and the car, all i-Size seats will match the special i-Size seats of i-Size certified cars.

The Safety Standards section aims to make you understand the meaning of the markings on a car seat and the price differences between them, because a seat tested according to the i-Size standard will be more expensive than a seat tested according to R44.04.

It is important to find out from the car seat seller what tests the seat has gone through and whether, in addition, this seat has been tested in one of the 4 Impact Tests.