The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has issued "Guidelines for Selecting a Testing Certification Agency," which is intended to provide assistance to brake friction material manufacturers regarding compliance with state law requirements for the testing and certification of brake pads.
The guidelines are part of the state's implementation of a statute passed by the California legislature in 2010 that requires by Jan. 1, 2014, brake friction material sold in the state contain no more than .01 percent by weight of cadmium, chromium (VI)-salts, lead, mercury and asbestos. More importantly, the rule further limits the content of copper to 5 percent by weight on and after Jan. 1, 2021 and .05 percent by 2025. Similar legislation has also been enacted in the State of Washington although it has not been decided whether a .05 percent copper standard will be adopted.
While the state of Washington has promulgated regulations for implementation of their law, the state of California has yet to issue any rules and it is likely that will not do so in the immediate future, relying primarily on the Washington regulations. However, there are some differences in the California and Washington laws and the guidance issued by the DTSC last week is intended to help brake pad manufacturers navigate both California and Washington requirements for testing and certification of the brake pads.
The DTSC guidance document can be viewed here.
Information on the Washington State brake pad regulations can be found at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/hwtr/betterbrakes.html
