Which standard governs each category
In Ukraine and the EU, different groups of children's products fall under different documents. Vehicle restraint systems are governed by UN/ECE regulations; other children's products by European EN standards.
| Standard | Category | What it verifies |
|---|---|---|
| UN R129 (i-Size) | Car seats and boosters | The current standard. The seat is selected by the child's height in centimetres, a side-impact crash test is mandatory, and rearward-facing travel is required until at least 15 months. |
| UN R44/04 | Car seats | The previous standard: classification by the child's weight (groups 0+/1/2/3), with no mandatory side-impact test. It is gradually being replaced by R129. |
| EN 1888 | Strollers | Tests resistance to tipping, brake effectiveness, frame and handle strength, the reliability of folding locks, and the presence of a restraint system for the child. |
| EN 14988 | High chairs | Structural stability, a crotch strap and harness preventing the child from sliding down, no finger-trapping points, and secure height locks. |
| EN 716 | Cots and travel cots | Spacing between bars, the permissible gap between mattress and side, side height, and the reliability of folding locks — everything that prevents entrapment and falls. |
| EN 12227 | Playpens | Stability, mesh and seam strength, locking of the folding mechanism, and the absence of parts that clothing could catch on. |
| EN 71 (parts 1–3) | Materials and coatings | Mechanical and physical safety, flammability, and the migration of heavy metals from materials the child is in direct contact with. |
The specifications of every VELANO car seat and booster state the UN R129 (i-Size) standard and the working height range — you can see this data on each model's page in the catalogue.
How to read the markings on a car seat
Every certified car seat carries an orange approval label. It tells you more about the product than any shop description — and you can read it in a minute.
- The letter 'E' in a circle with a number — The country that issued the approval: E1 — Germany, E4 — the Netherlands, E5 — Sweden, and so on.
- Approval number — If it starts with 129, the seat is approved under R129 (i-Size). If it starts with 04, under the older R44/04.
- Height range or weight — R129 states the height in centimetres (for example, 125–150 cm); R44 states the weight group in kilograms.
- UNIVERSAL / SEMI-UNIVERSAL / i-Size — Shows vehicle compatibility: universal seats are secured with the seat belt in any car, i-Size seats use ISOFIX in compatible vehicles.
- Batch number and production date — The manufacturer identifies the product by these, and they let you judge its age.
The key rule: the label must be on the seat itself, not only on the box or in the manual. If a product carries no approval marking, it is not a car seat but a cushion with no verified safety.
A separate word on second-hand car seats
This is the purchase where saving money turns into real risk. A car seat has a limited service life and an invisible history.
- A seat that has been in a collision must be replaced even with no visible damage: its internal structures absorb impact energy only once.
- Plastic ages with temperature swings and UV exposure. Manufacturers typically set a service life of 6–10 years from the production date.
- A used seat often lacks the manual and original attachment parts, without which installation becomes incorrect.
- Buying privately, you cannot verify the product's history — and that history determines whether the seat will perform in a crash.
How we work on quality
VELANO is the own brand of the Selfy team, with years of experience in the children's category. We do not resell random goods — we take models from specification to shelf.
- Specification before production — Materials, configuration and model requirements are fixed before manufacturing starts, rather than accepted after the fact.
- Working directly with factories — No chain of intermediaries: requirements reach production undistorted, and changes to a model are agreed directly.
- Batch control — Batches are checked before shipment — completeness, materials, build quality and markings.
- One standard across the network — Partners receive the same product and the same content, so the description on any platform matches the real item.
What to check before buying
- The approval marking on the product itself, not only on the packaging.
- A match to your child's height and weight today, not bought to grow into.
- Compatibility with your car: ISOFIX anchor points, or the ability to secure the seat firmly with the belt.
- Integrity of the shell, harness and buckles, with no cracks or signs of repair.
- A removable cover and an adjustable headrest — the product should last several years.
- Buying from an official partner who is accountable for the product's origin.
Need documents for a specific model
If you, as a customer or a partner, need documentation for a particular model or batch — write to us and we will send everything related to that product.
