R129 markings and the approval label: what must appear on the seat

The approval mark

Every approved seat carries an international approval mark §5.4.1:

• a circle around the letter “E” followed by the distinguishing number of the approving country;
• an approval number whose first two digits give the series of amendments in force when the approval was issued (e.g. “04”) §5.2;
• the words “UN Regulation No. 129/04” (regulation number and series) §5.4.1.2;
• the category wording: “i-Size universal ISOFIX”, “i-Size booster seat”, “specific vehicle ISOFIX”, “specific vehicle booster seat”, “Universal Belted” or “Specific vehicle Belted” §5.4.2.1;
• the size range (on the module mark instead, if the seat has a module) and “S” for a Special Needs Restraint §5.4.2.2–5.4.2.4.

An R129 seat may not also carry an R44 approval mark, but it may carry an approval mark under UN Regulation No. 170 §5.2. Marks must be legible, indelible and wear-resistant, applied by label or direct marking §5.6.

Module marks

For a seat made of modules — such as a carrier used on different bases — the module carries a mark with “R129-” and the approval number, the module name, and the size range with maximum weight §5.4.3. A module approved with several bases carries one module mark per base; a module usable in two orientations carries one per orientation (Annex 2, 2.1).

Basic product markings

The airbag warning label

Rear-facing seats must carry the warning label on the visible inner surface where the child’s head rests, including the inside of a side wing. Pictograms follow ISO 2575 (Z.01, at least 38 mm) and an airbag-deployment pictogram at least 40 × 28 mm; their shapes may not be customised. If any part or accessory could hide the label, an additional one is required so that one is always visible §4.4. The packaging must also warn against using rear-facing seats where an active frontal airbag is fitted §14.2.7.

Belt routes are green — and only approved routes are shown

Adult-belt routes must be marked on both sides of the seat, on all belt guides and lock-offs, at least as wide as the webbing path, and clearly distinguish lap and diagonal sections §4.6. The colour for approved routes is green — and no other colour; routes that are not type-approved must not be shown §4.6.2–4.6.4. Infant carriers add specific lap and shoulder icons (min. 20 mm, darker green for the lap belt) §4.14(g).

Category labels

• i-Size seats carry the i-Size logo, minimum 25 × 25 mm, on the part with the ISOFIX attachments §4.7.1.
• Specific vehicle ISOFIX seats carry the ISOFIX logo (circle ≥ 13 mm) with the ISO size-class references they fit (e.g. ISO/F2, ISO/R3, ISO/L1) and a “Specific Vehicle ISOFIX” label §4.7.2.
• i-Size booster seats carry the i-Size logo with “i-Size booster seat” §4.8.1; specific vehicle boosters and cushions carry their category label §4.8.2–4.8.4.
• Universal Belted and Specific Vehicle Belted labels sit on the part with the main load-bearing contact points §4.13.
• Loose impact shields, removable inserts and removable booster backrests each carry a label naming the product and size range (≥ 40 × 40 mm) §4.9–4.11.

Installation markings

Pictograms or text must show how to prepare the seat (e.g. extending ISOFIX), what each indicator means, where top tethers and lower tethers go and how to adjust them, and refer to the user instructions with the booklet symbol where needed §4.14.

Want to check a label in front of you? Read our guide how to read an R129 approval label.