The ban on smaller and lighter children using backless booster seats in cars will be enforced in March.

The strict new rules will ban manufacturers from selling backless car booster seats for children under 125cm and 22kg.

Here is everything you need to now about the changes to legislation.

What is the new law?

The rules will only affect new products being sold - so the labelling will make it clear that booster seats will only be approved for use for children taller than 125cm and weighing more than 22kg.

Currently children weighing as little as 15kg, around three years old, can travel in the backless seats.

So although the safety guidelines will change - and child car seat experts agree this type of backless booster seat is unsuitable for such young children - those continuing to use one will not face any action.

What is the law?

UK law states that children must use a child car seat until they’re 12 years old or 135cm (4ft 5in) tall, whichever comes first.

But safety experts recommend you use a child car seat for all children under 150cm (4ft 11in).

For children weighing more than 36kg (5st 10lb) but under 150cm (4ft 11in) it is advised to go by height.

Remember it is the driver’s responsibility for children being in car seats while travelling.

How do I choose a car seat - 7 top tips

Watts’ top tips on what to look for when choosing a car seat for your child:

  1. High back;
  2. Head protection;
  3. Shoulder protection;
  4. Red guides to feed seat belt through;
  5. Isofix fitting (this stops the seat “swaying”, fixing the seat to the vehicle);
  6. Don’t be distracted by character design/colour;
  7. Avoid buying online, visit a retailer where expert advice can be given.

The ruling for new products will "not be mandatory until implemented into European legislation, which will happen in due course".

While booster cushions are a belt positioning device, they are simply designed to lift your child up enough so that the adult seat belt restrains them correctly. They do not offer any additional protection.

They don’t pass a side impact test because they do not have a back and side wings to cushion a child from the force of a collision - and they do not place a child near the vehicle's side impact protection.

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