What is i-Size?
There has been a new European law on Child Seats, which affects all of Europe. It is called i-Size and is aimed to improve the safety of child seats.
If the car seat you are not using is not i-sized, you do not need to rush out to buy a new one, as the existing regulation on car seats will run in tandem with this one for a while.
So current car seats can be used as long as they meet the current legal standards of the R44/04 law. The N332 Group of Guardia Civil have written a good article about this – please see this article here on i-size car seats:
http://n332.es/2018/04/03/new-i-size-chart-for-child-seats/
The labelling on child seats has changed across Europe, making it theoretically easier for children to be secured in a more appropriate seat, thus making them safer.
The New Rules on Child Seats in Spain:
a. i-Size requires children to sit rear-facing until they are at least 15 months old, which is longer than before.
b. Rather than weight, car seats in future will be judged suitable for the child by height not weight.
c. i-Size now requires car seats to have additional testing and protection on the sides of the seats
d. i-Size requires ISOFIX fitting. There is a big problem about car seats being fitted correctly, thus in the future, seat belts will not fix car seats, but with ISOFIX. ISOFIX car seats have two connecting parts on the back of the seat that hook onto small metal bars
fixed to the frame of some vehicles. You’ll find this in newer cars where the back seat meets the seat cushion.
By pushing the seat back onto these points, the seat locks directly. But as not all cars have them, even if yours does, it can be tricky swapping car seats between vehicles. You will know if a car seat is i-Size as they have a special logo:
Many of the car seat models also have the letter i in their name or include the word i-Size too. i-Size seats are designed to keep children rearward-facing until they are at least 15 months old, as it is felt it is safer.
As the N332 group say height is deemed now very important, more important than weight, and in Spain, a child cannot sit in the front seat if they are under 135cm. Until they are 135 cm, they must sit in the back.
A booster seat from 135cm to 150 cm is advisable and the child can then sit where you want.
The main message with regard to i-size seats whether you use them yet or not is that babies should remain in a rear-facing seat until they are at least 15 months.
If we can help you with any motoring issues, please contact Gema
If you require the hire of ISOFIX or other seats in Spain please contact John at https://www.costablancanurseryhire.com/
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32 Comments
Barrie
Query. What about child booster seats in minibuses and taxis? What age does this apply if relevant