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

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.