Height ranges for new CRS: we clear up your doubts

For many, the arrival of September means a return to the daily routine after the summer break. And yet again, one of our daily tasks will be to take our children to school using either private or school transport.

It is not out of place, therefore, and actually quite important considering that on September 1 a new CRS (Child Restraint System) regulation came into force that affects these devices, to remind ourselves of the height ranges in this new regulation (United Nations Regulation 129), which definitively replaces Regulation 44.04.

First of all, it should be noted that the new Regulation introduces a significant change regarding the use of CRS; whereas in Regulation 44.04 the divisions were established according to weight (from 0 to 10 kg, from 9 to 18 kg, from 15 to 25 kg, and from 22 to 36 kg), in Regulation 129 they are established according to height, between 40 cm and 150 cm. This change is due to several factors, but it is primarily related to the fact that height is more in line with the development of a child’s body than weight.

In the first few months of life, the body develops rapidly, strengthening the skeleton and building muscles, with the height parameter being the most reliable parameter for determining the child’s development.

However, limitations by age range are also established, such as the requirement that babies travel facing backwards until they are 15 months old, and there are limitations based on weight, since the maximum authorized weight of the devices must be defined by the manufacturer to ensure the strength of the product.

What we have learned

After the first 10 years of Regulation 129 being applied, we now know the most common ranges for the devices available on the market and, for the sake of simplicity, we can define the following typical limits for the majority of products:

• BABY CARRIERS: from birth to 87 centimeters in height, with an average weight of about 13 kg and always rear-facing. Baby carriers are the most suitable product for newborns to provide the highest level of safety in the car.
• CONVERTIBLE CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS: these are not baby carriers, they are systems that stay in the car at all times. They can be used from 40 cm to 105 cm (around 4 years of age). Their maximum authorized weight range is around 18-19 kg, depending on the manufacturer. These devices, in general, are positioned “backward-facing” up to 105 cm, with some of them offering a “forward-facing” configuration for children from 76 cm up to 105 cm in height. These systems are probably the most widely used as they feature a number of possibilities, such as reclining and swivel systems, which make them very practical for day-to-day use.

• BOOSTER SEATS: these can normally be used, with a backrest, by children who are 100 cm to 150 cm tall, or without a backrest from 125 cm. They are forward-facing systems and are designed to position the child so that the seat belt passes correctly over the pelvis, chest and shoulder.

Within these parameters, manufacturers have diversified their range of child restraint systems by extending the limits and creating “multi-range” products, rear-facing systems up to 125 cm and other innovative products. Generally speaking, however, the divisions remain the same for the majority of CRS available.

Beyond the standard

In addition to the above, it should be remembered that for children taller than 100 cm, who usually use booster seats with backrests, the legal measurement up to which the use of child restraint systems is necessary is 135 cm, but the recommendation is that the use should actually be extended up to 150 cm in height.

The reason for this is that seat belt effectiveness is tested starting from measurements corresponding to someone 150 cm tall, so in order to ensure that the belt will work correctly, it is highly recommended to extend the use of the booster seat and, in this way, avoid the risks associated with poor positioning of the belt on the pelvis and neck.

In summary, there are five important reference values related to the new regulations that we must keep in mindwhen selecting a CRS:

• 40 cm: lower height range.
• 87 cm: limit for baby carriers.
• 100 cm: lower limit for using an adult seat belt in combination with a booster seat with a backrest.
• 135 cm: mandatory limit for child restraint systems in Spain.
• 150 cm: upper height range for child restraint systems and maximum recommended range of use.