Car Seat Safety Guidance


At Britax Römer we have been protecting children on the road since 1966.



For more than 50 years no costs or efforts have been spared to provide optimum safety for little ones.

Today, Britax Römer develops and manufactures child car seats and pushchairs with 70% of child car seats being Made in Germany.


At Britax Römer, we want to share our wealth of experience to empower you with the knowledge, confidence and peace of mind to enable smooth family car journeys each and everyday.


Check out our Car Seat Safety Guidance below!

What is the UK law for child car seats?


It is mandatory by UK law to use child car seats until a child has reached the height of 135cm / 1.35m or if this height is not reached, until they have reached the age of 12 years. 

Car seat standards in the UK

What you need to know...


ECE R129 - i-Size – this standard is the most recent of the two legal car seat standards in the UK. It incorporates more strict testing criteria and sets more advanced safety standards based on recent safety data collected by industry testing bodies. The key enhancements are that:

 

  • Car seat suitability is established via age and size of the child rather than weight
  • ISOFIX only car seats are required to reduce incorrect installation in vehicles
  • Extended rearward facing travel is required until a minimum of 15 months
  • There is now side impact testing, to provide improved protection in the event of a side collision
  • An i-SIZE Group 2/3 product can be used until 150cm

Should my child travel rearward facing?


Children under the age of 15 months and using an R129 (i-Size) approved child car seat must travel rearward facing in a vehicle by law.

Once your child is aged over 15 months and using an R129 child car seat, forward facing travel is permitted however not recommended and we would encourage parents to keep their child rearward facing for as long as possible. By keeping your child rearward facing in their child car seat, this is the safest way for them to travel, especially in the event of a frontal impact with another vehicle.

How do I know if my child car seat is compatible with my vehicle?


At Britax Römer you can check the compatibility of your chosen Britax Römer car seat and your vehicle by using our unique FIT FINDER® comprehensive fitting tool. This tool will check that your chosen car seat is compatible with your vehicle. This is essential to ensuring that the car seat safety features will function to their fullest potential in your vehicle so that your precious little ones are fully protected and you have peace of mind.

How long can my child travel in their car seat before I need to take them out?


Britax Römer recommend that babies should be taken out frequently for breaks, particularly if your travel plans involve long periods of time in your vehicle. This is based on scientific research and data from healthcare professionals, safety experts and vehicle manufacturers.

Can my child wear a coat in their child car seat?


Always avoid putting children in car seats whilst they are wearing thick winter coats or jackets. In this situation, there is a risk that the child car seat harness or vehicle belt cannot be tightened to sufficient tension to protect the child in the event of a collision. We would always recommend that thick winter coats or jackets are removed in the car and that children are covered with an appropriate blanket over the top of their child car seat harness or vehicle belt if extra warmth is needed.

Can my baby sleep in their child car seat?



Often young babies and children will fall asleep during journeys and this is absolutely fine for short periods of time. If you are travelling long distances, remember to take regular breaks and ensure that your baby or young child is taken out of their child car seat at this point. As soon as you reach your destination, you must take your baby or young child out of their child car seat and if still asleep, put them into an appropriate and approved sleeping environment such as a moses basket or cot.

Rearward facing child car seats in the front of the vehicle - what you need to know!



Baby car seats, suitable from birth and from Group 0/0+ must be fastened in a rearward facing direction. These baby car seats should not be used in conjunction with an airbag on the passenger seat in the front of the vehicle. The same rule applies to Group 0+/1 and Group 1/2 products – for those aged from birth up to 6 years of age. For older children, make sure you check the instructions on your child car seat and in your vehicle manual.