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Contact Information:Department of Toxic Substances ControlSafer Products and Workplaces Program P.O. Box 806 Sacramento, CA 95812-0806 SaferConsumerProducts@dtsc.ca.gov |
Brake Pad Legislation
On September 27, 2010, Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill (SB) 346 which will prohibit the sale of automobile brake pads sold in California containing more than trace amounts of copper, certain heavy metals, and asbestos. The purpose of this law is to reduce the amount of copper and other toxic substances released from brakes from entering California’s streams, rivers, and marine environment. This new law bans brake pads containing more than trace amounts of heavy metals and asbestos in 2014 and then also bans brake pads containing more than 5 percent copper in 2021. By 2025, the law reduces the amount of copper allowed to almost zero. Copper is toxic to many aquatic organisms and limiting the copper content of brakes is essential to comply with a federal Clean Water Act mandate, including copper water quality standards and copper total maximum daily loads in California’s urban watersheds. The law requires that manufacturers comply with laboratory testing and certify with a mark their products comply with the restrictions set for brake pads. DTSC, the Washington State Department of Ecology, and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Brake Materials Environmental Task Force have developed the criteria for testing and marking brake pads that meet the restrictions listed below. Washington State passed a similar law earlier in 2010 and adopted regulations on October 19, 2012. Since DTSC has not implemented regulations regarding the testing protocol, marking or the certification agency requirements, the material presented on this web page should be considered for informational purposes only.
The law requires brake friction material manufacturers to certify and mark that their products meet the prohibitions listed above by the restriction date. Questions?For questions regarding the California Brake Pad law, please contact either Melissa Salinas (melissa.salinas@dtsc.ca.gov, 916-322-7636) or Suzanne Davis (suzanne.davis@dtsc.ca.gov, 916-327-4206). For questions regarding the Washington State Better Brakes law, please contact Ian Wesley (iwes461@ecy.wa.gov, 360-407-6747). |