What Parents Should Know About Flame Retardants in Car Seats

September 30, 2025

Emily Gaylor

Many parents are surprised to learn that their child’s car seat—something designed for safety—may also contain chemical flame retardants. These chemicals are added to fabrics and foam to meet fire safety rules, but they’ve raised big questions for parents: Are they necessary? Are they safe? And most importantly—are there alternatives?

Our guide covers all the basics: what flame retardants are, why they’re used, the health concerns experts are studying, and which car seat brands now offer chemical-free options. (There are more than you may think!)

What Are Flame Retardants and Why Are They in Car Seats?

Flame retardants are chemicals added to materials to help slow the spread of fire. For decades, they’ve been used in household items like furniture, mattresses, and even children’s pajamas. Car seats fall into that same category because U.S. federal safety standards require that the fabrics and foam inside them pass a flammability test.

That’s why many car seats—no matter the brand or style—contain flame retardants. The idea was to add an extra layer of fire protection in case of a crash or spark. The catch: while these chemicals help pass the test, parents and experts are debating whether they’re actually necessary (or potentially harmful).

Car Seat Safety Standards and Regulations

In 1991, car seat makers began adding flame retardants to padding and fabrics to meet updated fire safety standards. Federal law requires that car seats comply with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) FMVSS 302 flammability rule—the same standard applied to your car’s interior.

That means a car seat has to resist ignition and slow flame spread just like your car’s seats and dashboard. For manufacturers, the simplest way to comply has been to treat foams and fabrics with flame retardants. But more recently, some brands have developed chemical-free ways to pass the same test.

Health Concerns Linked to Flame Retardants

Research has raised concerns that certain flame retardants may do more harm than good, especially for kids. Studies suggest these chemicals can leach out of car seats over time, ending up in household dust or on little hands that inevitably go straight into mouths.

Some flame retardants have been linked to hormone disruption, developmental delays, and other health issues. Scientists are still studying the long-term impact, but parents understandably want to minimize unnecessary exposure whenever possible.

It’s important to note that not every flame retardant is equally harmful, and all car seats on the market still meet rigorous crash safety standards. The bigger question is whether safer, chemical-free alternatives are a better way forward.

Parent PSA: Crash safety comes first. Car accidents are the second leading cause of death for children in the U.S. The safest car seat is always the one that:

fits your child’s weight, height, and age
installs securely in your vehicle
is used correctly every ride

Flame retardants are worth understanding, but proper fit and installation matter most when it comes to protecting your little one.

Which Car Seat Brands Are FR-Free?

But good news alert! Parents have more FR-free choices now than ever. More and more brands are paying attention to parents asking for less chemical exposure, and they’ve found smart ways to meet fire safety rules without the additives. Some use naturally flame-resistant wool, while others rely on fabrics engineered to be safe from the start.

Nuna: Since 2020, every Nuna car seat has been FR-free across all models, using a naturally flame-resistant merino wool and TENCEL blend. The entire lineup is also GREENGUARD Gold certified.
Clek: FR-free options are available in both Mammoth (merino wool + TENCEL) and Ziip fabrics across the Liing, Foonf, Fllo, and Oobr. Other fabrics are free of brominated/chlorinated FRs and GREENGUARD Gold certified.
Britax SafeWash: Available on a wide range of models including the Willow S, Poplar, Cypress, One4Life, Grow With You ClickTight, and Highpoint. SafeWash/Naturally FR fabrics are inherently flame-resistant and machine washable.
Maxi-Cosi PureCosi: Maxi-Cosi’s PureCosi line includes infant, convertible, and all-in-one seats like the Mico Luxe+, Peri rotating infant seat, Romi convertible, Pria, and the new Andi 360. These fabrics meet flammability standards naturally, without extra chemical treatments. Double bonus: the Pria, Pria Max, and Romi are made in America.
Peg Perego: Select models like the Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido, Primo Viaggio All-in-One, and Viaggio Flex 120 are made with 100% FR-free fabrics and foams.
Römer: Römer is a premium European brand with FR-free luxury fabrics on its infant Juni and convertible Veni models. Both seats have sleek styling and thoughtful safety details—like a load leg and plush newborn inserts on the Juni, and extended rear-facing plus multiple recline options on the Veni.
Orbit Baby: Orbit Baby is known for its rotating SmartHub base, which lets you swivel the seat toward you for easier buckling (the first rotating car seat in the states!). The G5 Infant and Toddler seats are available in naturally flame-resistant Merino wool.
Cybex: The Callisto G 360 is Cybex’s only FR-free option in the U.S.—a rotating all-in-one seat with GREENGUARD Gold certification.

Translation: more choices for parents, same safety standards. Ready to shop? Read more about our favorite FR-free car seat picks. →

How to Shop for FR-Free Car Seats

Wondering if your car seat has flame retardants? It’s not always obvious, but there are a few ways to check:

Look for fabric lines. Britax SafeWash, Maxi-Cosi PureCosi, Clek Mammoth and Ziip, or Nuna (FR-free across the board).
Check certifications. GREENGUARD Gold and OEKO-TEX® labels confirm low emissions and chemical safety.
Match your priorities. SafeWash = machine washable/dryer safe; wool blends (Nuna, Clek) = natural fiber option.
Assume unless stated. If a fabric isn’t clearly marketed as FR-free, it almost certainly contains added flame retardants.
Double-check before buying. If a listing isn’t clear, confirm on the brand’s site or with customer service.

Parent Perspective: FR-free often comes with a higher price tag. If it works for your budget, you’ll have great choices. If not, you’re still doing the most important thing: making sure your kiddo rides in the right seat, properly installed, every time.

Tips for Reducing Flame Retardant Exposure

If you’re not ready to buy a new car seat—or just want to cut back on chemical exposure—there are simple steps you can take:

Air it out. Let a new car seat sit outside or in a well-ventilated area for a few days before use to allow the most volatile chemicals to off-gas.
Limit car seat time. The AAP recommends car seats for travel only, not naps or lounging. Less time strapped in means less exposure (and supports healthy positioning, too).
Keep it cool. Heat speeds up chemical release. On hot days, park in the shade or crack your windows.
Clean regularly. Vacuum your car and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions for the seat to reduce flame retardant dust buildup.

These aren’t perfect fixes, but they can help reduce exposure while you’re weighing your options. Small steps add up.

FAQs About Flame Retardants in Car Seats

Are flame retardants required by law?
Not exactly. Car seats must meet the federal flammability standard FMVSS 302, but chemical flame retardants aren’t specifically required. Many brands use them to comply, while others now rely on wool or advanced fabrics.

What’s the difference between flame-retardant and flame-resistant?

Flame-retardant: Fabrics treated with chemicals to slow or stop burning.
Flame-resistant: Materials like wool that naturally resist ignition without added chemicals. Most FR-free car seats use flame-resistant fabrics instead of chemical treatments.

Are flame-retardant-free car seats safe?
Yes. All seats sold in the U.S.—with or without flame retardants—must pass the same crash safety tests. FR-free seats simply meet FMVSS 302 with natural or engineered fabrics.

Do I need to replace my current car seat if it has flame retardants?
Not unless it’s expired or no longer fits your child. The most important factors are correct sizing, proper installation, and consistent use. If you want to reduce exposure, follow steps like airing out new seats, limiting car seat time, ventilating your car, and vacuuming regularly.

Are FR-free car seats more expensive?
Often, yes. Wool and specialty fabrics cost more to produce. But options like Maxi-Cosi PureCosi and Britax SafeWash are helping make FR-free seats more affordable.

Additional Resources for Parents

Want to keep learning? These guides can help you dive deeper into car seat safety and FR-free options:

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