National Highway Traffic Association (NHTSA) Department of Transportation established a new Federal motor federal safety standard that requires motor vehicle manufacturers to provide a new method of anchoring forward-facing child restraints. Each vehicle anchorage system will consist of one upper anchorage point (user-ready tether) two lower anchorage points (rigidly mounted to the vehicle). These kits allow parents and other caregivers to secure the forward-facing child seat most effectively by strapping the tether to the vehicle by an anchor. Effective September 1, 1999, 80% of passenger cars must be equipped with user-ready tether anchors. Light trucks, vans, and SUV's must have anchors a year later. The requirement for child restraints to be equipped with the lower anchorages will be effective September 1, 2002. The regulation is not retroactive.

See Parts Flash for tether anchor kit availability.

Release Date for Parts Flash: April 7, 2000
Reference Number: RF-00-11