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.
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. These chemicals may be found in places beyond the fabric, such as in the seat foam and labels.
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 and are reducing flame retardant exposure.
State-Level Bans and PFAS Chemicals
Due to growing concerns about the potential environmental and health risks associated with certain flame retardants, including 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. Many manufacturers are using non-halogenated flame retardants now, which are believed to be less toxic. We are also seeing more and more manufacturers adding flame-retardant-free fabric options to their line-up already.
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 order to meet the standards outlined in FMVSS 203. 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.
What Is Flame Retardant Made Of?
Flame retardant chemicals can be made of various substances. The most common elements used are phosphorus, nitrogen, and bromine.
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! Check out our picks for the best low toxic car seats:
Flame Retardant Free Car Seats
Infant Car Seats
Baby Jogger: City Go 2
Baby Jogger has updated the City Go 2 to meet the new side impact standards and they came out with a new flame-retardant-free fabric in the Frosted Ivory color. This infant seat is very easy to install with the seat belt, thanks to the RAPIDLOCK belt-tensioning system. The base also has an anti-rebound bar.
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.
Chicco: KeyFit, KeyFit 30 and KeyFit Max
Both seats have bases with easy-to-use lower anchors for a tight installation. The KeyFit Max also has an anti-rebound bar on the base, is slightly narrower, and it has a no-rethread harness.
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.
Cybex: Aton G2, Aton G2 Swivel, Cloud G Pro, and Cloud T
All 4 of these Cybex Seats have load legs. All but the Aton G2 also have anti-rebound panels. The Cloud G Pro and Cloud T bases have rigid lower anchors for a super easy installation. The Cloud G Pro and Cloud T can be reclined when used outside of the vehicle. The Aton G2 Swivel turns 180 degrees for easy buckling and unbuckling when the seat is clicked into the base.
Evenflo: Litemax NXT, Revolve180 Litemax NXT, and DualRide
Look for Evenflo seats that have the Green and Gentle fabric. These are free of flame retardants. The DualRide is an infant seat that turns into a stroller. The Revolve180 Litemax is a swivel seat that features a SesnorSafe chest clip and there is a version with SensorySoothe as well. SensorySoothe consists of lights and sounds built into the carry handle! The Litemax NXT also has SensorSafe and SensorySoothe, but lacks the swivel function.
Graco: GoMax, GoMax Baseless
The GoMax and GoMax baseless car seats are Graco's first seats to feature flame-retardant-free fabric. The infant seat features rigid lower anchors built into the carrier portion instead of the base. The base has the usual flexible lower anchors and the SnugLock lock-off that's found on many of the other Graco infant seat bases.
Maxi Cosi: Peri, Ambra, Mico Pro, Mico Pro+
The Maxi Cosi Mico Pro+ 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 Pro's base has premium, push-on lower anchors. The Peri is a swivel seat and the base features a load leg and an anti-rebound bar. The Ambra has rigid lower anchors, and anti-rebound panel, and a load leg.
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.
Orbit Baby: G5+
Orbit Baby was the first US manufacturer to create a swivel infant seat. There are other options now though. It's one of the heaviest and most expensive infant seats on the market. The G5+ does not fit preemie or small babies well.
PEG: Primo Viaggio Lounge, Primo Viaggio Urban Mobility, Primo Viaggio Nido and Primo Viaggio
All of the Peg Perego infant seats have an anti-rebound bar or anti-rebound handle. The Nido 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.
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.
Uppababy: Aria V2 and Mesa V3
The Uppababy Aria V2 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. The Mesa V3 also has self-retracting lower anchors and the handle functions as an anti-rebound bar.
Convertible/All-in-One/Rear-Facing-Only Car Seats
Axkid: One3
Axkid One3 is the first rear-facing only seat in the US that is not an infant seat. It has rigid lower anchors, an anti-rebound bar, and a ton of legroom for a rear-facing child. The rear-facing limits are 65 pounds/49", which is higher than any other seat on the US market.
Babyark: Smart and Classic
The Babyark convertibles are some of the few convertible seats on the US market that have a base. The base of the Babyark Smart 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. The Classic's base comes without the added technology at a lower price point.
Britax: Poplar, Poplar S, Britax One4Life, Galaxy360 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, as does the Galaxy360. For the other three seats, you have to buy the anti-rebound bar separately. The Galaxy360 is a swivel seat.
Chicco: Fit360, OneFit, OneFit LX, and OneFit Max
The OneFit has 40 lbs rear-facing limit, a tall harness height, a tall standing height limit for the forward-facing harness mode (54″), and it has a high back booster mode. The OneFit LX has an easier to use forward-facing lock-off. The OneFit Max has a magnetic chest clip and a flex forward buckle. The Fit360 is a swivel seat with 40 lbs rear-facing limits and a seat belt lock-off.
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.
Cybex: Callisto G, Callisto T, and Callisto G Select
All 3 of these seats are swivel seats. The Callisto G has 40 lbs/43.3" rear-facing limits, an ant-rebound bar, and a canopy. The Callisto G Select is a stripped down version without the canopy and the SensorSafe chest clip. The Callisto T has 50 lbs/43.3" limits for rear-facing, an anti-rebound bar, canopy, SensorSafe chest clip, and a QuickSpring harness system.
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.
Maxi Cosi: Andi360, Pria, Pria Max, Petra, Kani, Sela, and Romi
The Andi360 is a swivel seat. 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 Maxi Cosi Romi is essentially the same as Cosco Scenera Extend, which is one of our favorite travel seats. But this version adds flame-retardant-free fabric, premium lower anchors and harness covers. The Petra is a lightweight car seat that has premium lower anchors and a no-rethread harness. The Sela has rigid lower anchors for both rear and forward-facing and it has a magnetic chest clip. The Maxi Cosi Kani is a true all-in-one seat since it does become a backless booster and it has a magnetic chest clip for the harness modes.
Nuna: Revv Maxx, Rava Next, Exec Next
The Nuna Revv Maxx is a swivel seat that has 43″/40 lbs limits for rear-facing. Nuna Rava Next and Nuna Exec Next both have 50 lbs rear-facing limits. Nuna Exec has an anti-rebound bar and a high-back booster mode.
Orbit Baby: G5 Toddler
The Merino Wool version of the Orbit Baby G5 Toddler seat is free of flame-retardants. But this seat has 15-35 pounds rear-facing limits. This is one of the lowest rear-facing maximums on the market. However, it's also the only convertible that has a compatible stroller. For parents who don't own a car, it could be a good option.
PEG: 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. The All-in-One has a high back booster mode and is narrower.
Romer: Nexa and Veni
The Romer Veni is nearly identical to the Britax Poplar S. It features the same easy seat belt installation and an anti-rebound bar. The Romer Veni's is made from recycled materials like oyster shells. Romer Nexa is a 3-in-1 seat and almost identical to Britax Poplar S. It has an anti-rebound bar and is easy to install.
Uppababy: Rove
The Uppababy Rove is easy to install and features a rear-facing tether. It has a 50 lbs rear-facing limit and can be very compact rear-facing.
Forward-Facing Seats
Britax: Grow With You and Grow With You Clicktight
The ClickTight version is very easy to install with the seat belt, thanks to the ClickTight mechanism that helps you get a tight installation. Both seats have a tall harness height and make long-lasting high back boosters as well with 120 lbs/63″ limits.
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.
Nuna: Lumn
Nuna Lumn is the newest forward-facing seat on the market. It's also the most expensive. But it's one of the best options for vehicles that have non-removable headrests. It's also very easy to install with the seat belt and it has a leg rest for the child.
Booster Seats
Britax: UpNGo, UpNGo Click, and HighPoint
The Highpoint 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. The UpNGo and UpNGo Click are backless boosters. The limits for both seats are 46-63" and 40-120 lbs. The Click version has rigid lower anchors.
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.
Clek: Oobr, Ozzi, andOlli
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 and Ozzi are backless boosters with optional rigid lower anchors. Both Olli and Oobr have cup holders.
Maxi Cosi: Tanza
The Maxi Cosi Tanza is a high back only booster. It has rigid lower anchors and it folds.
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.
PEG: 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.
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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