The state of New Jersey has proposed a ban on lead and mercury wheel balance weights for all vehicles within the state, including passenger and commercial vehicles. If passed, New Jersey would become the eighth state to enact a ban on lead wheel balance weights. The law as proposed would only provide a 180-day grace period from the date of enactment for businesses within the state to comply, the shortest grace period allotment from any state with a lead law to date. This follows in the footsteps of the state of Minnesota, which proposed and passed its lead and mercury based wheel balance weight law in mid-2014, which featured a 19-month grace period
and a compliance date of Jan. 1, 2016.
“As more and more states transition away from lead wheel weights, it is important for businesses in every state to ensure that they are partnered with reputable and experienced suppliers that can help them through a transition if or when it happens in their state,” said Gregory Parker, marketing manager for Wegmann automotive USA Inc., home of Perfect Equipment and Hofmann Power Weight brand wheel balance weights.
New Jersey introduced the partisan assembly bill (NJA4201) on Monday, Feb. 23rd, and it was immediately referred to the state’s Assembly Environmental and Solid Waste Committee for review.
