What is i-Size?
The abbreviation "i-Size" indicates the latest approval standard for car seats for children. Approval standards for car seats regulate which safety standards and technical specifications these car seats must meet in order to be approved for sale.
The i-Size standard is part of the latest test standard UN R129, or officially: "EU Safety Regulation for Child Restraint Systems UN Regulation 129". This regulation, which came into force in July 2013, sets tougher requirements for the approval of car seats for children than the previous standards.
The main purpose of this standard is to ensure wider compatibility between car seats and the vehicles they are installed in. i-Size car seats are mostly installed using an ISOFIX attachment. Some also use a top tether, a load leg, or the vehicle’s seat belt for installation. Also, the main measurement used as a basis for the classification of car seats is now body height, instead of body weight, and children in i-Size-approved seats must travel in the rear-facing position up to the age of 15 months. These new regulations are intended to prevent children from switching to the next child car seat class too early. In addition, this regulation raises the technical safety standard for car seats for children and makes side-impact testing mandatory.
i-Size at a Glance
• Mandatory travel in the rear-facing position up to 15 months old
• New, stricter safety standards, e.g. side-impact testing
• Body height as the main measurement used for classification, instead of body weight
• Always installed with ISOFIX or car seat belt plus top tether
• Unrestricted approval for all vehicle seats with the "i-Size" marking; for all other vehicles approval according to type list