My Babiie i-Size Car Seats explained

i-Size R129 Car seats explained

ECE R129 (i-Size) is the most recent safety Regulation controlling the manufacture of children’s car seat which was introduced in 2013. The intention was to make child car seats easier to fit, provide better protection from side impact and keep children rear facing for longer (this is considered the safest mode of transporting children).

ECE R129 (i-Size) car seats are the newest standard of car seat safety and force the industry to adhere to the highest of safety standards. ECE R44/04 is an older set of safety standards and it is being phased out by a new wave of ECE R129 (i-Size) car seats.

What are the advances in technology?

The R129 standard was introduced in 2013 to make travel for babies and children even safer. It’s newer than the ECE R44 standard and follows more detailed tests for improved head and neck protection. Addition to new side impact testing during crash test development. Current speeds for crash testing in ECE R44.04 is 32 mph frontal impact and 18 mph rear impact. The introduction of the R129 standard introduces a new 15 mph side impact test. The older R44.04 used a P dummy with 4 sensors for crash test simulations whereas the new R129 Regulation has introduced a Q dummy with 32 sensors to gain a much deeper understanding of the data available during crash test simulation. The additional sensors also measure neck, abdomen and head data in the crash testing. See below table:

ECE R44	ECE 129
Classification based on child’s weight (in kg)	Classification based on child’s height (in cm)
Categorised by groups (Group 0+, 1, 2, 3)	No Groups
Child can be forward facing from 9 kg	Child must rear face to a minimum of 15 months
Can be used for seat belt or ISOFIX seats	Can be used for seat belt or ISOFIX seats
Rear and front impact testing	Rear, front and side impact testing
P dummy used in crash tests with 4 sensors	Q dummy used in crash tests with 32 sensors

Difference between the two models

R129 restraints can be identified by a label that is typically orange or has an orange panel displaying R129 at the top. It is also given in the user manual. Labelling on R129 car seats typically display the sizes in cm suitable to and from.

You choose the seat depending on your child's height, not weight. This can make things safer as most parents know the height of their child better than the weight. You'll find it easier to ensure your child is in the right size seat.

It is considered the safest standard with improved head and neck protection.

Side-impact crash test results are assessed as part of the standard.

You have to use ISOFIX, which attaches the car seat directly to your car’s chassis, with an i-Size car seat. ISOFIX car seats are more likely to be correctly fitted in your vehicle. Bare in mind that you need an additional ISOFIX base to install a baby car seat using ISOFIX.

Car seat age guide

Child's Height	Group	Child's weight	Approx. age range
40-87 cm	Group 0+	Birth up to 13kg/29lb	Birth up to 15 months	BROWSE RANGE
40-150 cm	Group 0+/1/2/3	Birth-36kg/79lb	Birth up to 12 years	BROWSE RANGE
76-150 cm	Group 1/2/3	9kg/19lbs to-36kg/79lb	15 months to 12 years	BROWSE RANGE
100-150 cm	Group 2/3	15kg/33lbs to 36kg/79lb	4 to 12 years	BROWSE RANGE
135-150 cm	Group 3	Max weight 36kg/79lbs	6 to 12 years	BROWSE RANGE

Is my car compatible with i-Size car seat?

i-Size child car seats fit in cars that have ISOFIX fitting points, but you still need to check if the seat is approved for your car. View Car Compatibility Fitting List