i-Size for beginners

July 9. 2013,came the new rules for car seats. The regulations impose stricter requirements on how long children should ride rear-facing. The new rules called UN r 129 (i-size) and will eventually replace the ECE R 44 04.

Rear-facing for 15 months

The new i-Size regulations require that car seat manufacturers offer car seats that make it possible to secure your child rear-facing until it is 15 months. The existing group 0 + car seats are not big enough for the longest children to sit rear-facing until they are 15 months. Producers must now offer bigger car seats in addition to group 0 + car seats, or replace the current group 0 + car seats with seats that can accommodate rear-facing longer.

Requirements for ISOfix installation

It will be a strong focus on: using car seats installed with ISOfix, and to reduce improper installation and improper use of child car seats. The regulations also give the car manufacturers requirements. From 2013, there must be ISOfix in all new cars. Child car seats with both ISOfix and belt assembly are not allowed in i-Size phase 1.

i-Size labeling of cars

From July 2013 car manufacturers can begin to label the car seats with the i-Size logo. The car seats will be equipped with ISOfix anchors, and all i-Size approved child car seat can be used in all car seats with i-Size labeling. The floor in front of an i-Size child car seat will always be strong enough to withstand the forces from the supporting leg, even where there is a storage compartment underneath.

Requirements for height

In ECE r 44 04 there is no requirement for the child’s size. In the i-Size regulation each step of height-scale correlates with minimum shoulder height, shoulder width and hip width. Almost all children with the given headroom fit in seat. In addition to standing height, i-Size includes the maximum weight for the child who can sit in the seat.

Requirements for side impact protection

Although consumer organizations have tested car seats for side impact protection for many years, there is no requirement in ECE r 44 04 for side impact testing. In i-Size regulations there are a number of criteria for side protection, meaning that all i-Size car seats are side impact tested and provide side protection. Car seats without such protection will disappear from the market when ECE r 44 04 phased out.

Reducing improper installation

i-Size Phase 1 defines a number of requirements to reduce improper installation and improper use of car seats. Assembly with the insertion and trepunktssele for the same product are not possible in the i-Size regulations. ISOfix minimizes the risk of incorrect installation.