Understanding Hong Kong's New Child Car Seat Regulations – Part 2

As of November 1, 2025, Hong Kong will implement new child car seat regulations to enhance road safety for young passengers. These regulations require children under 8 years old or shorter than 1.35 meters to use approved child restraint devices in private cars. Here's a comprehensive guide on what you need to know and how to ensure your car seat complies with the standards.

Key Changes to Child Car Seat Regulations

Mandatory Use of Child Restraint Devices: Children under 8 years old or shorter than 1.35 meters must be secured using an appropriate child restraint device in both front and rear seats of private cars.
Driver Responsibility: Drivers are responsible for ensuring that child passengers comply with these regulations. Failure to do so may result in legal consequences.

Types of Child Restraint Devices

Rear-Facing Car Seats: Designed for infants up to 12-15 months old or weighing up to 13 kg (29 lbs).
Forward-Facing Car Seats: Suitable for children from 9 months to 4 years old (or 9-18 kg).
Booster Seats: Intended for children aged 4-12 years or weighing 15-36 kg.
RideSafer Travel Vest: A wearable device for children aged 3 and up, weighing between 13.6 to 36.3 kg.

Acceptable Safety Standards

To ensure compliance, look for these recognized safety standards on your car seat:

Safety Standard	Description	Region
ECE R44	Weight-based classification, rear and front impact testing.	Europe
ECE R129 (i-Size)	Height-based classification, includes side impact testing.	Europe
FMVSS 213	Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for child restraint systems.	United States
AS/NZS 1754	Australian and New Zealand Standard for child restraint systems.	Australia/New Zealand
GB 27887-2011	Chinese national standard for child safety seats.	China
JIS D0401	Japanese Industrial Standard for child restraint systems.	Japan
BS AU 157a, BS AU 185, BS AU 186, BS AU 186a, BS AU 202, or BS AU 202a	British Standards for child restraints.	UK

How to Ensure Compliance

Check for Approval Labels: Ensure your car seat has labels indicating compliance with one of the above safety standards.
Manufacturer's Information: Verify the seat includes the manufacturer's name, contact details, and date of manufacture.
Weight and Height Restrictions: Match the seat to your child's age, weight, and height requirements.
Purchase from Reputable Sellers: Buy from well-known retailers to increase the likelihood of getting a compliant seat.