German regulations on child safety seats in automobiles
In Germany, child car seats must comply with either UN Regulation 44/04 (R44/04) or UN Regulation 129 (R129), known as i-Size. Both regulations define safety standards for child restraints based on different criteria—weight for R44/04 and height for i-Size (R129). Children under 150 cm or under 12 years old must use these approved child restraints.
Key specifics for German child seat safety standards:
- Children shorter than 1.35 meters (135 cm) must use a safety seat appropriate to their size.
- Seats must have an orange compliance label indicating adherence to either R44/04 or R129 (i-Size).
- i-Size seats are mandatory rear-facing until the child is 15 months old and use the ISOFIX anchoring system.
- R44 seats are grouped by child weight, with distinct groups from newborn (0-18 months) up to booster seats for older children.
Differences between UN Regulation 44/04 and i-Size (UN R129):
| Aspect | UN Regulation 44/04 (R44/04) | i-Size (UN R129) | |-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | Basis for classification | Child's weight | Child's height | | Installation method | Often uses seat belts; some models use ISOFIX | Uses ISOFIX anchorage exclusively for increased safety | | Safety focus | General crash test criteria, primarily frontal impact | Stringent side-impact protection mandatory | | Rear-facing requirement | Up to about 13 kg (approx. infant carriers) | Rear-facing mandatory until 15 months of age | | Phasing status | Being phased out; no longer sold new | Newer standard with wider safety requirements | | Compliance marking | Orange label with "ECE R44/04" | Orange label stating "ECE R129" or i-Size |
R44 classifies child seats into groups based on weight (e.g., Group 0/0+ up to 13 kg, Group 1 from 9-18 kg), while i-Size bases seat selection strictly on height ranges, which correlates better with child anatomy and safety in crashes. i-Size’s mandatory rear-facing period and ISOFIX use aim to improve overall protection and correct fitting.
It is important to note that parents or guardians are responsible for providing the child seat in taxis. While the police may show leniency for very short or urgent trips in taxis, transporting children without an appropriate child seat can lead to fines for the parent(s) or guardian. Drivers and adults responsible for children can be hit with points on their driving licences and fines starting from €60 if they fail to use the appropriate seat.
If you're looking for more advice, see the ADAC's child seat guide. When buying a new car seat, it should display an official approval label with ECE R129 (i-Size). Carsharing services may or may not supply child seats, so it is recommended to bring your own. In carsharing vehicles, the driver is responsible for providing and correctly installing the child seat.
In summary, Germany requires child seats meeting either R44/04 weight-based or R129 height-based standards with a trend toward i-Size (R129) as the preferred and more modern safety system, emphasizing height, ISOFIX, and improved side-impact protection.
The emphasis on height in child car seats as defined by UN Regulation 129 (i-Size) aligns well with health-and-wellness, considering it ensures proper anatomy alignment and safety for children in cars. Additionally, the implementation of i-Size seats, particularly the mandatory rear-facing period and ISOFIX use, marks a significant advancement in the field of science, with a focus on improving overall protection and correct fitting for young passengers.
