R129 categories: i-Size, booster seats, booster cushions and belted seats

Every R129 approval belongs to a category, and the category decides how the seat attaches, where it can be used and what label it carries. The scope in §1 lists eight.

Two axes: integral vs non-integral, universal vs specific vehicle

• Integral — the child is held only by the seat’s own components (harness, impact shield) §2.4.1.
• Non-integral — the child is held by the vehicle’s adult belt; the seat positions the child and guides the belt §2.4.2. Boosters are non-integral.
• Universal — designed to fit defined seating positions in any compatible vehicle (i-Size or Universal positions).
• Specific vehicle — approved only for the vehicles listed by the manufacturer, or for an ISO size envelope.

The eight categories

Where each category may be used

• i-Size seats are primarily for i-Size seating positions. A forward-facing i-Size seat using a top tether may declare use in any ISOFIX position; others may declare ISOFIX positions listed in a car fitting list §6.1.1.
• i-Size booster seats are primarily for i-Size positions and may declare use in any Universal position if they don’t conflict with the car interior §6.1.1.
• Universal booster cushions are for all i-Size and all Universal seating positions §6.1.1.
• Specific vehicle ISOFIX seats may be used in ISOFIX positions and, if the vehicle maker allows, in the luggage area §6.1.1.

Which orientations can be approved

Integral seats can be approved rearward- or forward-facing in all four integral categories; lateral-facing (carrycot) is only possible as specific vehicle ISOFIX or specific vehicle belted (Table 1, §6.1.2). Non-integral seats — boosters and cushions — are forward-facing only (Table 2, §6.1.3).

Combined approvals and modules

One product can cover several categories — for example an i-Size booster seat from 100–125 cm that continues as a specific vehicle booster seat to 150 cm — as long as the combination is allowed by §3.2.2 and there is only one adult-belt route across the whole stature range. An ECRS may carry only one R129 approval number, except for a module approved as part of different ECRS §3.5. Seats made of a module (e.g. an infant carrier) plus a base carry a separate module mark — see markings.

Special Needs Restraints

An ECRS for children with physical or mental disabilities may add extra restraining devices, but it must still contain a primary means of restraint that meets R129 on its own §2.10. Its approval mark carries the symbol “S” §5.4.2.4, and every dynamic test is run twice — with the primary restraint only and with all devices in use §6.6.4.1.5.