Types of Child Car Seat

All child seats currently for sale in the UK must conform to the United Nations standard ECE Regulation 44-03.

This defines four types of child seat (UK retailers description in brackets):

• Group 0 (Stage 1)
• Group 0+ (Stage 1)
• Group 1 (Stage 2)
• Group 2 (Stage 3)
• Group 3 (Stage 4)

Group 0 & Group 0+

Rear-facing baby seats. These provide more support for the baby’s head and back than front-facing seats.

Group 0 is for babies from birth up to 10kg (approx. 6-9 months)
Group 0+ is for babies from birth up to 13kg (approx. 12-15 months)

These should not be fitted in the front of a car if there is an active passenger airbag.

Group 1

Front-facing child seats for children weighing 9kg-18kg (approx. 9 months – 4 years)

These have a built-in harness with a crotch strap that spreads the force of the harness under heavy deceleration and prevents the child slipping forwards out of the seat.

Group 2 & Group 3

Group 2 covers children weighing 15-25kg (approx. age 4-6)
Group 3 covers children weighing 22-36kg (approx. age 6-11)

Child restraint devices in these groups fall into two categories:

• Booster seats
• Booster cushions

Booster seats in this category will be approved for group 2 and group 3 – i.e. children weighing 15-36kg.

Some booster cushions are only approved for group 3 use – check carefully.

Booster seats and booster cushions are intended to be used with adult seat belts – they do not have built-in harnesses like group 1 child seats.

It’s important to ensure that your child and the seat belt are positioned correctly:

• Seat belt over shoulder, not neck
• Seat belt over pelvic area, not stomach
• Belt as tight as possible

Click on one of the links below to learn more:

• Child car seats & the law
• Types of child car seat
• Child car seat fitting