LATCH is an acronym for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. It is a method of installing a car seat in a vehicle without using the vehicle belt system. LATCH compatible car seats have an attached belt with some type of hooks on the ends. The hooks “latch” onto anchor bars located in the vehicle seat where the seat back and bottom meet (the seat bight). For forward-facing LATCH seats, a top tether is also used.

As of 9-1-2002, all car seats must have LATCH attachments. But most new vehicles have LATCH bars now, meaning parents who buy a new vehicle cannot take advantage of the new installation system with most car seats they have purchased in the past 6 years. Cosco's retrofit kit allows parents of Cosco, Eddie Bauer and Dorel Juvenile Group car seats purchased since 1995 to utilize the new LATCH system if they have a LATCH vehicle.

The kit consists of a single belt with an easy-pull adjuster and push-button release. It threads through the car seat belt path the same way the vehicle seat belt does. It can only be used with vehicles originally equipped with LATCH bars or with those where the vehicle dealer has retrofit the bars in the vehicle.