Child restraint systems for cars

there are – depending on the age of the child – many models and designs available. You can find out what you should look out for here.

Boy sits safely strapped into child seat

According to the road traffic regulations (stvo, § 21), children up to the age of twelve who are smaller than 150 centimeters may only be carried in suitable and officially approved restraint systems in the car.

There are two standards that regulate the use of child seats and child restraints. restraint systems in cars regulate. This is the (older) test standard ECE 44 and the (newer) ECE 129, which apply different criteria to the restraint system.

Restraint systems according to ECE 44 test standard

These restraint systems must comply with the ECE 44/03 or 44/04 test standard, and

  • Be approved for the vehicle,
  • Can be used on the seat that is being used and
  • Match the weight and size of the child.

Older child seats with the test number ECE 44/02 or even ECE 44/01 may no longer be used.

Securing children – but the right way (ECE 44)

  • Infants must be transported rearward facing. For small children (up to about three years of age), it is also recommended that they be secured in rearward-facing restraint systems (reboarder or reboard seats).
  • The installation on the passenger seat should only be carried out in exceptional cases. However, this is only permissible if the car does not have a passenger airbag or if the airbag is deactivated safely and in accordance with the regulations. If the use of the passenger seat is prohibited by the car manufacturer, you should not place a child there either.
  • the safest place for children is always the back seat, especially the middle seat and the seat at the back on the passenger side, because then it is not possible to get in or out of the seat. Later the getting in and out of the child can always be done on the side to the footpath.
  • the change from the baby car seat to the next bigger child seat should not be done too early. In principle, the weights on the seal of approval are valid, but the position of the head is the most important thing. Only when the head protrudes over the edge of the baby car seat, a change to group I is necessary.
  • the position of the head is also a good and safe guide for the later change from the group I seat to a larger child seat: when the head grows beyond the backrest, it is time for the larger group II/III child seat. For the protection of the child, it is particularly important that the backrest and headrest are in place. Up to the age of 12 years or. Children over 150 cm tall must be secured in age-appropriate child seats.

Classification by weight and age classes

Restraint systems for children according to the ECE-R44 standard are divided into different groups according to the weight and age of the child:

Group Weight Age
group 0 0-10 kg up to ca. 9 months
group 0+ 0-13 kg until approx. 18 months
group I 9-18 kg 9 months to approx. 4 years
group II 15-25 kg 4 to 7 years
group III 22-36 kg 7 to 12 years

Which group is permissible for your child is currently based solely on his or her body weight, as the age specifications only reflect average values. Basically you should not change to a bigger class too early.

restraint systems according to ECE 129-testing standard – i-size

The parallel valid norm ECE R-129 refers exclusively to so-called i-size child seats. These may only be used in cars that bear an "i-size" marking or for which the manufacturer of the child seat has approved the use of ISOFIX points in the vehicle (cf. type list).

For these child seats is to be considered:

  • All children up to 15 months of age must always be transported against the direction of travel.
  • The child seat is based on the child’s body size, whereby the manufacturers themselves determine for which size range the seat is suitable.
  • I-size child seats are not fixed with the car belts, but with the rigid ISOFIX system.
  • I-size child seats fit in all cars with i-size labeling.

Help with the purchase decision

  • When choosing the right product, the results of test investigations and consumer advice centers are very helpful. Even among the approved models, there are huge differences in quality, safety and handling.
  • Make sure that the restraint system is approved according to the current test standards for child seats (ECE or i-size badge).
  • If possible, take your child with you for a "test fit" when buying a child safety seat.
  • Before buying a car seat, try it out to see how it fits in your car. even with universal approval, installation and use vary in difficulty or ease depending on the vehicle.
  • The seat must not wobble or slip. (stand: 10.1.2021)

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Christina Cherry
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