10-11 Car seat trends.qxp_Layout 1 04/04/2023 12:58 Page 1
CAR SEAT TRENDS
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Inset: Manufacturers are now offering lie-flat car seats, such as this Joie Calmi R129.
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The car seat sector is constantly innovating, with new safety features being introduced regularly, but also new features to make life easier for parents and more comfortable for babies and children. PPS looks at the latest innovation in the sector.
Inset: The Motion All-Size 360 is one of the seats in the Silver Cross Eco range, which now features fabric made from recycled plastic bottles.
PROGRESSIVE PRESCHOOL
rom 1 September, there will be a number of changes to car seat regulations in the EU, with no R44 CRS seats able to be sold after that date. In Great Britain (currently excluding Northern Ireland due to post-Brexit trade arrangements) it will still be legal to sell R44 CRS seats and at present, the government has no plans to stop the sale of them. You can read more about this in the BPA’s feature on page 18+19. However many UK manufacturers are moving in line with the EU and moving to R129, or iSize, whereby the classification is based on height, rather than weight, and isn’t categorised by groups. I-Size also has a rearfacing regulation until 15 months and the seats can only be used for ISOFIX. There are also further side impact tests added to the rear and front testing, along with increased sensors with a Q dummy. Extended rearward facing: There is an increased focus on designing seats with extended rearward facing options. Axkid offers only rearward facing seats. A spokesperson for the company comments: “The main reason why a rear-facing car seat is safer is due to the support it gives the child’s head and neck in the event of a collision. In frontal crash tests, it has been shown that the forces affecting the neck are up to five times greater when the child is sitting forwardfacing compared to a rear-facing car seat. “A rear-facing car seat’s biggest advantage is that it supports the child’s entire back, neck and head, distributing the crash forces over a larger area and therefore significantly reduces the forces acting on the sensitive neck. “Our goal at Axkid is that all children travel rear-facing for as long as possible, for their own safety. As of today, the general recommendations in Sweden say that children should ride rear facing up to the minimum age of four. Our recommendation is therefore to choose a rear-facing car seat that has the highest maximum limits. Further, we recommend a car seat that adapts for your growing child, offering a high comfort that
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