The Ultimate Guide To Flame Retardants In Car Seats

When it comes to the safety of our little ones, nothing is more crucial than ensuring they are protected while on the road. A significant part of this protection comes from the design of car seats, which must adhere to stringent regulations to keep children safe. One such regulation is the flammability requirement. In this article, we’ll explore how manufacturers meet this requirement, the role of flame retardants, and the growing trend toward flame-retardant-free fabric options.

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The Ultimate Guide To Flame Retardants In Car Seats

Meeting Flammability Requirements

One standard that car seat manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada must comply with involves resistance to flammability. The flammability requirement for car seats was added to FMVSS 213 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213) in the United States in 1971. This requirement was introduced to improve the safety of car seats and reduce the risk of fires in the event of a car crash. It was also to reduce the risk of fire caused by the use of cigarettes. The addition of the flammability requirement aimed to ensure that car seats would not contribute to the spread of fires inside a vehicle, thereby enhancing overall safety for passengers, including children seated in car seats.

To meet this requirement, many manufacturers incorporate chemicals known as flame retardants. These chemicals are designed to slow down the burning process and provide additional time for occupants to escape in the event of a fire.

However, not all manufacturers exclusively use these chemicals. Some have adopted naturally flame-resistant materials like wool to meet flammability standards. Wool’s inherent properties offer an effective, environmentally friendly alternative that eliminates the need for added chemicals. This is especially important for parents who have health concerns about chemical flame retardants.

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State-Level Bans and PFAS Chemicals

The most commonly used flame retardant in car seats and other products is Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS). Due to growing concerns about the potential environmental and health risks associated with certain flame retardants, like bromine, some states in the USA have implemented regulations to ban their use. These regulations reflect a move toward more responsible manufacturing practices and are pushing the industry to explore safer alternatives. As of this article, Massachusetts has banned certain chemicals in car seats from January 2022, and California’s law took effect in July 2023. These regulations are aimed at protecting consumers and the environment from potentially harmful chemicals. This kind of ban will require manufacturers to develop seats that conform to the requirements so that their seats can be sold in those states. We are seeing more and more manufacturers adding flame-retardant-free fabric options to their line-up already.

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Flame Retardants Beyond Children’s Car Seats

It’s essential to recognize that flame retardants are not just limited to car seats. In fact, they are present in many parts of our vehicles, including the upholstery. In addition, they can be found in everyday items such as children’s clothing, mattresses, furniture, and carpets. While there is minimal evidence to suggest significant health issues from exposure to these chemicals, the widespread use of flame retardants does raise questions about long-term effects. Manufacturers are working to develop safer alternatives and some have already begun offering flame retardant-free (fr-free) options for car seats.

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Flame Retardant-Free Fabric Options

Due to consumer demand for chemical-free options, some manufacturers have developed flame-retardant-free fabric options for car seats. You can find all the current offerings in the list below. Keep in mind that some seats have multiple fabric options and they may not all be free of flame retardant chemicals. Double-check that you have the right version before buying!

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Car Seat Brands with Flame-Retardant Fabric

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Infant Car Seats

Britax: Willow, Willow S, Willow SC, and Cypress

Britax’s newest infant seats come with Clicktight technology in the base for an easy seat belt installation! The Britax Willow is currently only available as part of a travel system, while the Willow S is available separately and has an anti-rebound bar on the base. The Willow SC and the Cypress have the same base as the Willow S, but they also have one-hand adjustable carry handes. The Cypress also has a 3-piece insert instead of the 2-piece insert that the other seats com with.

Read the Britax Willow S full review here.

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Chicco: KeyFit 30 and KeyFit 35

Both seats have bases with easy-to-use lower anchors for a tight installation. The KeyFit 35 also has an anti-rebound bar on the base, is slightly narrower, and it has a no-rethread harness.

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Clek: Liing and Liingo

The Liing has rigid lower anchors and a load leg on the base. We also have a full review of this seat here. Clek Liing installl YouTube Video here. Clek Liingo does not come wih a base, but has lower anchors attached to the infant seat. This car seat can be a good option for parents who frequently use rideshares and taxis.

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Cybex: Cloud G Lux, Aton G, and Aton G Swivel

The Aton G is the least expensive infant seat model that Cybex currently makes. It features the SAFELOCK base, which is very easy to install. Cybex Aton G Swivel has a 180 degree swivel function and features an anti-rebound bar built into the base. We have a review of this seat here. The Cybex Cloud G Lux comes with many features such as a SensorSafe chest clip, anti-rebound bar, load leg, rigid lower anchors, and a recline function for when the seat is used outside of the vehicle.

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Maxi Cosi: Peri, Mico Luxe, and Mico Luxe+

The Maxi Cosi Mico Luxe+ has a load leg, which is an added safety feature. It also features self-ratcheting lower anchors on the base for easy installation. The Mico Luxe's base also has the self-ratcheting lower anchors, but does not come with a load leg. The Peri is a swivel seat and the base features a load leg and an anti-rebound bar.

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Nuna: Pipa Aire, Pipa Aire RX, Nuna Pipa RX and Nuna Pipa Urbn

All of these seats have rigid lower anchors for quick installation. But Urbn does not come with a base and the anchors are attached to the infant seat. The Pipa Urbn is only available as part of a travel system. But it’s a great option for parents who do not own a car, travel a lot, or have many people who may need to drive the baby around. We also have a full review of the Pipa RX here and YouTube Videos here. The Nuna Pipa Aire RX and the Pipa RX come with the RELX base, which is slightly easier to install and has more recline options than the base that comes with the Aire.

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Peg Perego: Primo Viaggio 4-35 Lounge, Primo Viaggio 4-35 Urban Mobility, Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido K and Primo Viaggio 4-35 K

All of the Peg Perego infant seats have an anti-rebound bar. The Nido K and Lounge infant seats have a load leg as well. The Lounge can be reclined outside of the vehicle. The Urban Mobility does not come with a base, but it has lower anchors attached to the infant seat.

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Romer: Juni

The Romer Juni has a load leg, an anti-rebound bar, and rigid lower anchors. The fabric is made from recycled materials like polyester and oyster shells, which we think is really cool! Installation is simple with either the rigid lower anchors or the seat belt, thanks to the SecurLoc feature on the base.

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Uppababy: Aria and Mesa V2

The Uppababy Aria has a load leg, anti-rebound bar, and self-ratcheting lower anchors. At only 6.8 pounds, it is one of the lightest infant seats on the market and it's also very compact. A review of the Aria can be found here. The Mesa V2 also has self-retracting lower anchors and the handle functions as an anti-rebound bar.

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Convertible Car Seats

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Babyark: Premium

Babyark is the first US manufacturer to create a seat with a 55 pound rear-facing limit. It's one of very few convertible car seats that has a base. The base of the Babyark Premium has rigid lower anchors, a load leg, and an anti-rebound bar. The base has technology built into it to assist with installation when paired with the app.

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Britax: Poplar, Poplar S, Britax One4Life, and One4Life Slim

All four of these seats have Clicktight technology which allows for a quick seat belt installation. They all have 50 lbs rear-facing limits and the One4Life and One4Life Slim have a high back booster mode as well. The Poplar S comes with an anti-rebound bar. For the other three seats, you have to buy the anti-rebound bar separately.

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Chicco: Fit360, NextFit Max and OneFit

Chicco NextFit Max has a 50 lbs rear-facing limit, while the  40 lbse OneFit has a taller harness height, a taller standing height limit for the forward-facing harness mode (54″), and it has a high back booster mode. Click here to read our review of the Chicco NextFit Max.

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Clek: Foonf and Fllo

Both of these seats have 50 lbs rear-facing limits and an anti-rebound bar. But the Foonf has rigid lower anchors for forward-facing and the seats have different recline mechanisms. We have a full review of Clek Foonf here.

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Cybex: Sirona S and Callisto G

The Sirona S is a swivel seat that has 50 lbs/49″ limits for rear-facing. It has a load leg and an anti-rebound bar as well. Although the seat has high rear-facing limits, we do not recommend it for kids who are above average height. The headrest is quite short and may be outgrown far before the child reaches the limits. (read the full review here). Cybex Callisto G is coming to market soon. It is also a swivel seat. The Callisto G will have 40 lbs/43.3" rear-facing limits and a canopy.

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Evenflo: Gold Revolve Slim and Gold Revolve Extend

Both of these are swivel seats. The Revolve Extend has a high back booster mode, while the Revolve Slim is a narrow seat. The rear-facing maximum for both seats is 50 lbs. We have a full review here for the Revolve Extend.

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Maxi Cosi: Emme, Pria, Pria Max, Pria Chill, Magellan Liftfit, and Romi

The Maxi Cosi Emme is a swivel seat. We find it to be challenging to install and it is not a long-lasting option. The Pria and Pria Max are very similar seats. Both are lightweight and can be compact in rear-facing mode once the child can sit unassisted. The Pria Max has a magnetic chest clip and spring assist harness straps that stay out of the way for easy buckling. The Magellan LiftFit also has the spring assist harness straps, along with a seat belt lock-off. The Maxi Cosi Romi is essentially the same as Cosco Scenera Next, which is one of our favorite travel seats. But this version adds flame-retardant-free fabric and harness covers.

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Nuna: Revv, Rava, and Exec

The Nuna Revv is a swivel seat that has 43″/40 lbs limits for both rear and forward-facing. Nuna Rava and Nuna Exec both have 50 lbs rear-facing limits. Nuna Exec has an anti-rebound bar and a high-back booster mode. All 3 seats are very compact in rear-facing mode.

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Peg Perego: Primo Viaggio Convertible Kinetic and Primo Viaggio All-in-One

Both of these seats have anti-rebound bars. The Kinetic has 45 pound rear-facing limits, while the All-in-One has a 50 pound limit.

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Romer: Veni

The Romer Veni is nearly identical to the Britax Poplar S. It feaures the same easy seat belt installation and an anti-rebound bar. The Romer Veni's is made from recycled materials like oyster shells.

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Uppababy: Knox

This seat can be challenging to install. But it does have a rear-facing tether, which is an added safety feature. It also has a 45 lbs rear-facing limit and it can be very compact rear-facing as well.

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Forward-Facing Seats

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Britax: Grow With You, Grow With You Clicktight and Grow With You Clicktight Plus

Both of the ClickTight versions are easy to install with the seat belt, thanks to the ClickTight mechanism that helps you get a tight installation. The Plus version is much wider as it has additional side impact protection. All three seats have a tall harness height and make long-lasting high back boosters as well with 120 lbs/63″ limits.

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Chicco: MyFit

With a 54″ standing height limit in harness mode coupled with a tall harness height, Chicco MyFit is one of the longest-lasting harness options on that market. We have a full review of the seat here.

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Booster Seats

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Britax: HighPoint

This seat has high back and backless modes, both of which have 120 lbs/63″ limits. The high back mode has a tall headrest, making it one of the longest-lasting options available.

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Chicco: KidFit, Chicco GoFit and Chicco GoFit Plus

The KidFit has high back and backless modes, while the GoFit boosters are backless booster only.  Chicco KidFit has lower anchors and the KidFit Plus does as well. Make sure the grab the ClearTex versions.

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Clek: Oobr and Olli

‍Clek Oobr has high back and backless modes. It has optional rigid lower anchors to hold it into the vehicle. It works well with non-removable vehicle headrests. The Olli is a backless booster with optional rigid lower anchors as well.

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Nuna: Aace

The Nuna Aace has high back and backless modes, in addition to rigid lower anchors. This booster works well with non-removable headrests as well.

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Peg Perego: Viaggio Flex, Viaggio Shuttle Plus and Viaggio Shuttle 120

All three of these boosters have rigid lower anchors and are narrow options that will work in some three across configurations. The Viaggo Flex is a highback only booster, the Viaggio Shuttle 120 is a backless booster, and the Viaggio Shuttle Plus has both booster modes. The Viaggio Flex does not have armrests, which makes it easier for children to buckle.

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Uppababy: Alta V2

This is a narrow high back booster only with 100 lbs/57″ limits and rigid lower anchors. It also features a lap belt guide which serves as a reminder for younger booster riders to sit properly. We have a review of this seat here.

Conclusion

The use of flame retardants in car seats is a complex issue intertwined with safety regulations, consumer choice, and environmental considerations. With the banning of certain chemicals and the rise of natural alternatives like wool, we are seeing a shift toward more responsible practices.

Manufacturers are responding to these changes with flame-retardant-free fabric options, giving consumers more choices that align with their values. As we continue to learn more about these chemicals and their impact, it’s vital to stay informed and make choices that ensure both safety and environmental responsibility.

Whether opting for traditional car seats or exploring alternative materials, the priority remains the same – keeping our children safe on the road. It’s an ongoing journey that involves us all, from regulators to manufacturers to consumers, and one that will undoubtedly continue to evolve in the years to come.

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