Brussels, 05/05/2006 (Agence Europe) - The latest European Directive, 2003/20/EC, on the compulsory use of seatbelts has to be incorporated into law in the Member States by 9 May 2006. Under the existing European legislation it was compulsory to use seatbelts in vehicles below 3.5 tonnes fitted with seatbelts. This obligation has now been extended to all categories of vehicles. The Directive also requires the use of seatbelt systems specially adapted for children. The new Directive, which the Member States have to incorporate into national law by 9 May 2006, makes it compulsory to use seatbelts in all categories of vehicles and on all seats fitted with them; it also provides for a series of measures to improve the safety of children travelling in cars, lorries and coaches (see EUROPE 8956). Twelve Member States have already informed the European Commission of their national measures for implementing Directive 2003/20/EC, namely Austria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Spain, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Portugal and Slovenia. The other 13 Member States have until 9 May to do so. A Commission spokesperson warned on 5 May that the European Commission will launch the final stage of the infringement proceeding against Member States failing to meet their obligations on time.