Since September 2006, the law says that parents must use an approved car seat for their child up to 1.35 meter in height. In some countries, this maximum limit is 1.50 meter, see chart below. Approved car seats carry an orange ECE-R 44/04 label, which means they have been tested to the most recent and stringent European safety standard. Car seats carrying a ECE-R 44/03 label comply to an older standard. Car seats with other ECE labels are too outdated, it is not allowed to use or sell these products.
| Country |
Car seat must be used until
max. height (meter) |
| Austria |
1.50 |
| Belgium |
1.35 |
| Germany |
1.50 |
| Ireland |
1.50 |
| Luxemburg |
1.50 |
| Netherlands |
1.35 |
| Switzerland |
1.50 |
| United Kingdom |
1.35 |
Buying a Car Seat Checklist:
- Take your child and your car along when buying a child car seat to check the right fit
- Is the car seat suitable for the weight and age of your child, is it wide enough
- Is the seat tested to ECE R44/04 European Standard (orange approval label)
- Does the seat fit my car properly, can I install it easily, are the car seat belts long enough, can I use the car seat where I want it (airbag)
- Can I fit any other car seats properly along with the new car seat
- Try to install the seat in your car before you buy it
- Is the seat easy for me to use
- Does your child feel comfortable in it, does it have a sleeping position, is the harness easy to adjust
- Can your child get in and out easily
Finally: use the car seat every single time, regardless of how long or how short the journey!
Read more about the ECE R44/04 approval label.
