Big changes are coming to car seat safety! Starting June 30, 2025, all new car seats must meet updated side-impact testing standards and weight limit requirements designed to improve protection for young passengers. Some brands, like Nuna, have already begun adjusting their car seat weight ratings to comply with these new regulations.

If you're shopping for a new car seat—or wondering if you need to replace your current one—here’s what you need to know.

1. New Federal Side-Impact Testing Standard (FMVSS 213a)

Until now, there was no federally required side-impact test for car seats in the U.S. That’s changing with FMVSS 213a, a new test that simulates a real-world T-bone collision to evaluate how well a car seat protects a child’s head and body.

What This Means for Parents:

• Expect bigger side headrests and more energy-absorbing materials in new car seats.
• Look for "Side-Impact Tested to FMVSS 213a" labels on seats manufactured after June 30, 2025.
• Booster seats won’t be required to pass the test, but kids in boosters benefit from vehicle safety features like curtain airbags.

Key takeaway: If you’re buying a new car seat, look for side-impact protection that meets the new federal standard.

2. Lower Weight Limits on Infant Car Seats

To comply with the new testing rules, infant car seats will no longer have a 32 or 35-lb weight limit. Instead, they will cap out at 30 lbs (we're already seeing this with our major brands) because the new side-impact crash test dummy does not fit in infant seats above this weight.

What This Means for Parents:

• Infant seats that previously had a 35-lb weight limit will be reduced to 30 lbs.
• Some seats may already be transitioning to this lower weight limit based on SKU and production date.

Key takeaway: Expect infant seats to max out at 30 lbs, so you may need to transition to a convertible car seat sooner.

3. Updated Weight Limits on Nuna Car Seats

Nuna has already started adjusting the weight ratings on some of their existing car seats to align with these new regulations.

• Nuna REVV: Rear-facing weight limit reduced to 30 lbs (previously 40 lbs).
• Nuna EXEC: Forward-facing weight now starts at 30 lbs (previously 22 lbs). The maximum high-back booster weight is 110 lbs.

🚨 Important note: If you already own a Nuna REVV or EXEC, you can continue using it according to the weight limits listed on your seat’s labels and manual.

Key takeaway: If buying a Nuna car seat, check the labels and instruction manual to determine which weight limit applies, as some models are still transitioning to the new limits.

4. New Minimum Weight for Forward-Facing Seats: 26.5 lbs

Previously, some forward-facing seats allowed children as small as 22 lbs. That’s changing.

• New minimum weight for forward-facing car seats: 26.5 lbs (12 kg)
• This change ensures bigger infants stay rear-facing longer, which is safer in crashes.

Key takeaway: If your child is small, they may need to stay rear-facing longer before moving to a forward-facing seat.

5. All Booster Seats Must Have a Minimum Weight of 40 lbs and 43 Inches Tall

• Booster seats that previously started at 30 lbs will now start at 40 lbs.
• Children under 40 lbs are safest in a 5-point harness rather than a booster.

Key takeaway: If your child is under 40 lbs, they must stay in a harnessed car seat before moving to a booster.

6. New Minimum Height Requirements for All Car Seats

The new federal standard now requires all car seats to list a minimum height for use in each mode (rear-facing, forward-facing, booster).

Below images shows Nuna's new height updates.

Key takeaway: Expect car seat labels and manuals to include minimum height requirements for each mode of use.

7. Will You Need to Replace Your Current Car Seat?

No, you don’t need to replace your current car seat unless:

• It’s expired or recalled
• Your child has outgrown it
• You want a newer model that meets the updated side-impact standard

Key takeaway: Older car seats are still safe if they meet current standards and fit your child properly.

8. What to Expect in Stores:

• Car seats with bigger side-impact protection features
• Infant seats with 30-lb weight limits
• Labels showing compliance with FMVSS 213a side-impact testing
• Forward-facing seats with new 26.5-lb minimum weight
• Booster seats starting at 40 lbs

Will These Changes Affect Car Seat Prices?

It’s too early to say for sure, but with any major regulation change, there’s always the potential for adjustments in car seat design, availability, and pricing. As manufacturers update their products to comply with the new FMVSS 213a side-impact standard, we may see:

• More advanced safety features becoming standard, which could impact costs.
• Gradual shifts in pricing, depending on how brands roll out their updated models.
• Some brands we carry are already ahead of the curve and offer infant car seats with a 30-lb weight limit and strong side-impact protection, so their transition to the new standard may be smoother.

💡We’ll be keeping a close eye on how brands adjust to these changes. If you’re shopping for a car seat, it’s worth considering both current models and upcoming releases to find the best fit for your needs.

Final Thoughts: What Should Parents Do?

These updates make car seats safer by improving side-impact protection and keeping children in the safest position for their size.

If you’re shopping for a new car seat in 2025:

• ✅ Look for side-impact protection labels (FMVSS 213a).
• ✅ Check for updated weight and height limits on labels and manuals.
• ✅ Keep children rear-facing longer if they are under 26.5 lbs.
• ✅ If your child is under 40 lbs, keep them in a harnessed seat before switching to a booster.

🚨 Have a Nuna REVV or EXEC? You can still use it based on the labels and manual that came with your seat. Some models still have the old weight limits, while newer models are transitioning to the updated limits.

For any specific questions about your car seat, it's always best to reach out to the manufacturer for the latest info and guidance.

The information in this post is based on updates from NHTSA, manufacturer announcements from brands like Nuna, and other publicly available industry insights. This is not an exhaustive report but rather a summary of Tadpole’s understanding of these changes as we continue to monitor developments in car seat safety.