This makes it easier for a parent to find the correct car seat for their child. There is also a weight limit. This differs from R44/04, which uses weight only.
R129 includes a side impact test of the seat to ensure it provides protection in side impact collisions.
R129 child restraints require children to be rear-facing up to at least 15 months of age. This is done, in part, by setting a minimum height for forward-facing child restraints of 76 cm. In contrast, R44 allows forward-facing child restraints from 9 kg (approximately 9 months)
i-Size child restraints can be used universally on any car seat marked with the i-Size symbol. They are installed with the ISOFIX points. A top tether or support leg must also be used.
Frequently Asked Questions
See below for a list of our most frequently asked questions. If the answer to your question isn’t here and you need further assistance, please contact our customer support team, we’d be happy to help.
i-Size is one part of UN Regulation No. 129. R129 is a new regulation in Europe for enhanced child restraint systems and was developed by the Economic Commission for Europe of the United Nations (UNECE). This committee of experts included regulators, research and test institutes, car manufacturers and child restraint manufacturers. CYBEX was a very active member of this group.
i-Size child seats can be used in all vehicles available on the market that have the i-Size logo. However, older car models may not yet be i-Size compatible, even though they have ISOFIX anchor points. If this is the case, please check with your vehicle manufacturer or on the compatibility list on our website if your car model is listed as an i-Size compatible vehicle.
Child seats according to the UN R44/04 standard can continue to be used on the road without any changes. The UN R44/04 standard will be valid in parallel with the UN R129 guideline for a transitional period of a few years. We are currently not aware of any planned ban on the use of child seats with UN R44/04 approval. Because of this, there is no need to swap your current seat for a new model. All current CYBEX child seats comply with the highest safety standards and all legal regulations and can continue to be used with complete confidence.
No, because there is a different child seat approval system in the United States. This means that the US will not accept child seats approved to the R129 standard (and vice versa).
A young child's head is heavy and large in relation to the rest of their body, while the neck is relatively weak. A rear-facing child seat supports and protects the child's head and neck area and reduces the risk of a possible neck injury. Although this topic is still under research, European regulators already agree at a recommended limit of 15 months, because at this age a child's neck is already developed enough to be able to withstand forces in the event of a typical accident. For this reason, it is mandatory for children to sit rear-facing until they have completed their 15th month of life. Nonetheless, a number of R129 car seats are also approved for rear-facing use beyond 15 months of age, e.g. for children up to 105 cm (approximately 4 years).
R44 child seats are classified based on the weight of the child. However, different children grow very differently. A child can still be within the weight limit for an R44 child seat, but their head can already protrude over the headrest. R129 car seats, on the other hand, are classified according to the child's size (and weight). This new approach makes it easier for parents to choose the right car seat and ensures that the car seat fits optimally over the entire period of use.
Age is not relevant for either R44 or R129. Although it is a good guide, children of the same age often vary in height and weight. Therefore, the age of the child is not relevant for R129. The only exception is the provision in R129 with regard to rear-facing driving up to and including the fifteenth months of life. However, a minimum size has also been set for forward-facing riding (76 cm).