RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Recent news articles regarding brake friction products contribution to copper in U.S. waterways only report part of this issue. The Brake Manufacturers Council (BMC) of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), which represents more than 80 percent of the producers of brake friction materials in North America, has been actively involved from the beginning and is working tirelessly towards a solution.

Copper was introduced into brake friction products when the health risks associated with asbestos were discovered. Copper strands were selected for their effective and safe heat transference properties.

In the early 1990s, copper levels in watersheds showed an increase. In the mid-1990s, the AASA BMC commissioned watershed studies in California. The studies were conducted in cooperation with scientists and environmental groups.

While the studies identified many sources of copper in waterways – including plumbing pipes, boat paint and other products – the conclusions showed that dust created by brake friction wear was a contributor.

AASA BMC members worked to reduce copper in their brake friction product offerings. Today, the amount of copper in brake friction is generally less than 10 percent – and many BMC member companies currently produce products with no copper content.

In late 2010, California passed a law calling for a reduction of copper content in brake friction to less than 5 percent by 2021 and .05 percent by 2025. Washington state passed similar legislation in  2010.

The AASA BMC and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) played a significant role in helping shape these state laws. Since the laws’ passage, AASA BMC and MEMA have worked with both states on rule making which will regulate adherence. The associations’ efforts include recommended product identification, marking and testing standards, and a registration process for maintaining documentation.

MEMA and the AASA BMC are confident that current activities will lead to the successful replacement of copper in friction materials within the prescribed timelines. Legislation in other states will not be needed since the changes in brake friction formulation are across all product offerings sold in every state.

Consumers can rest assured that the manufacturers of brake friction materials will provide brake friction products free of copper in advance of the 2025 deadline.

About the Brake Manufacturers Council

Established in 1973, the Brake Manufacturers Council (BMC) is dedicated to providing and maintaining, for the mutual benefit of all its members, communications as appropriate with federal, state, and local governmental authorities, as well as technical bodies and Standard Development Organizations, such as SAE and its technical committees. The BMC is a product council of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA).

About AASA

AASA (www.aftermarketsuppliers.org) exclusively serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products. It is a recognized industry change agent – promoting a collaborative industry environment, providing a forum to address issues and serving as a valued resource for members. AASA is an affiliate of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). “AASA, The Voice for the Automotive Aftermarket Supplier Industry”

About MEMA

Suppliers manufacture the parts and technology used in domestic production of new cars and trucks produced each year, and the aftermarket products necessary to repair and maintain more than 248 million vehicles on the road today.

MEMA supports its members through its four affiliate associations, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA) and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA). MEMA represents more than 700 member companies with global motor vehicle parts sales exceeding $600 billion and 65 percent of North American automotive supplier sales. For more information on the motor vehicle parts supplier industry, visit www.mema.org.