A new way to attach child restraints to passenger vehicles is here. This new system is known as "LATCH," an acronym for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. This system, which was announced by President Clinton in February 1999, should make installing child restraints easier by eliminating the need to use the vehicle seat belt system.
The LATCH name will be used by all child restraint and automobile manufacturers to make it easy to recognize the new system.
LATCH system components have been phased in over the last few years. Phase 1 started in 1999 when most child restraints that face the front of the vehicle were required to have a top tether strap, and most vehicles started shipping with factory-installed anchorages for the tether.
Phase 2 creates a new system to attach child restraints that is independent of the seat belts. All vehicles and child restraints made after September 1, 2002, must be equipped with the LATCH system.
Evenflo has a long history of support for the new rule, and played an instrumental role in helping bring this to fruition.
For more information on LATCH and car seat safety, please visit
NHTSA (
National Highway Traffic &: Safety Administration)