Government car seat update

There is a new law, which came out in July 2013, called R129, which includes iSize car seats. The aim of the new regulation is to make car seats easier to choose and use, which will hopefully reduce the rate of incorrect fitment, and in turn keep children safer.  Last week the government website was updated which caused much confusion, this has now been amended. 

When children are traveling in an R44 approved seat, they may legally forward face from 9kg – although they are safer travelling rear facing for as long as possible. Most R44 approved infant seats will accommodate your baby to 13kg, or until the top of their head is level with the top of their seat. There are also R44 approved seats which will allow you to rear face your child up to 18kg, or 25kg. Only seats approved to R44.03 or R44.04 are legal to be used under this regulation.

R129 approved seats requires babies to be rear facing to 15 months, by law, amongst other improvements.  They must not forward face before this age.

The two regulations are currently running alongside each other - you can legally use an R44 car seat, or an R129 iSize car seat.