2014 Copper Legislation for California and Washington State

Apr 1st 2014

In 2010, laws were passed in both California and Washington State (Better Brake Law) to further protect the environment, more specifically ground water and its ecosystems. These laws aim to regulate the elements used in brake friction materials. The goal of law is to lead the world in efforts of living in a sustainable environment, and systematically phasing out materials that are harmful to our surrounding ecosystems. SB 346 the California legislation, and SB6557 the Washington State legislation essentially banned materials used in brake friction linings such as Hg (mercury), Pb (lead), Cr (chromium), Cd (cadmium), and asbestos. The law also sees a gradual reduction use of Cu (cooper), and eventually essentially eliminating it all together in brake friction materials, the concentration weight of each material is follows:

Washington State (SB 6557)

Elements % Content KFE Brake System Compliance
Asbestiform fibers by 1/1/15 <0.1% 100% Free
Cadmium by 1/1/15 <0.01% Compliant
Chromium by 1/1/15 <0.1% Compliant
Lead by 1/1/15 <0.1% Compliant
Mercury by 1/1/15 <0.1% Compliant
Copper by 1/1/21 <5% Compliant
Copper by 1/1/23 <0.5% Compliant

California State (SB 346)

Elements % Content KFE Brake System Compliance
Asbestiform fibers by 1/1/14 <0.1% 100% Free
Cadmium by 1/1/14 <0.01% Compliant
Chromium by 1/1/14 <0.1% Compliant
Lead by 1/1/14 <0.1% Compliant
Mercury by 1/1/14 <0.1% Compliant
Copper by 1/1/21 <5% Compliant
Copper by 1/1/25 <0.5% Compliant

Brake companies will have to follow the brake manufacturers certification program through ISO 17025 accredited lab to test SAE J866. Once the materials has been certified and registered, Friction Material Edge Code Markings must be label on the brake friction material itself (required by CA), while adding the "Three Leaf" marking on the outside of the box (required by WA).At KFE Brake Systems we care about your health, our environment, as well as elements in our product and its impact to the surrounding ecosystems that is why as of January 1st 2014 we will comply with both state's legislation. We are working hard to continuously provide the same high quality product that you have been use to, and at the same time bring a products that has the least amount of environmental impact.

For additional information on the Washington law, go to: https://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/hwtr/betterbrakes.htmlFor additional information on the California brake rule, go to: https://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/sen/sb_0301-0350/sb_346_bill_20100927_chaptered.pdf