Collaborative efforts result in national guidelines to reduce copper in brake pads

Jan. 23, 2015
The U.S. EPA, the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) and motor vehicle industry associations signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the agency and the motor vehicle industry for the reduction of copper in brake pads.

On Jan. 21 in Washington, D.C., representatives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) and motor vehicle industry associations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the agency and the motor vehicle industry for the reduction of copper in brake pads.

This historic event was culmination of efforts spearheaded by MEMA, AASA and the AASA Brake Manufacturers Council (BMC) to bring regulatory agencies and industry groups together for the collaborative development of clear guidelines at the national level to reduce copper levels in brakes.

Concern over copper in brake products and the potential impact on our nation’s waterways first arose in the states of California and Washington more than 10 years ago and both states enacted legislation to reduce the copper content in brakes beginning in 2014 in Washington and 2015 in California.

The BMC fully supported the states’ efforts and worked closely with state agencies during the implementation process. Brake manufacturers expended millions of dollars in the reformulation of their proprietary brake friction ingredients to ensure continued product quality and performance, motorists’ safety and reduced copper content.

During this work at the state level, it became clear that guidelines were needed at the national level to ensure consistency in reporting requirements and recognition of the industry’s compliance. MEMA, AASA and BMC worked to bring together associations from all industry segments – parts suppliers, distributors and OEMs in the light- and heavy-duty vehicle industries – with the EPA to develop the MOU.

Leigh Merino from the MEMA Washington DC office took a lead in providing the EPA with the language that resulted in the final MOU. The end result is national guidelines for all brake product manufacturers to follow. The EPA MOU signed on Jan. 21 calls for the reduction of the use of copper in brake pads beginning in 2021 to levels less than 5 percent by weight and further reductions to 0.5 percent by the year 2025.

“This historic MOU will provide the motor vehicle industry with consistent copper reduction guidelines and eliminate the potential for disparate state regulations,” said Steve Handschuh, MEMA president and CEO. “This has been a proactive, collaborative effort by regulatory agencies, states, the automotive aftermarket and the motor vehicle industry to reduce copper in U.S. waterways.”

“EPA is proud to partner with the automotive industry and the states to reduce the use of copper in motor vehicle brake pads, which means less of this material running off our roads and into our nation’s waterways,” said Stan Meiburg, acting deputy assistant administrator. U.S. EPA. “The environment and public health in our country will benefit from this type of collaboration between the public and private sector.”

Ann Wilson, MEMA senior vice president of government affairs, Bill Hanvey, AASA senior vice president and BMC executive director, and Bill Long, President and COO of AASA, signed the EPA MOU on behalf of parts supplier associations. Other industry associations that supported this effort, provided feedback on the MOU and were MOU signatories included:

•                  Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers

•                  Association of Global Automakers

•                  Auto Care Association

•                  Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association

•                  Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association

To learn more about the MOU and copper reduction in brake products, visit www.copperfreebrakes.org.

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