News Release

T – 10 – 20
Meredith Williams, Director

Contact: Sanford (Sandy) Nax
Sanford.Nax@dtsc.ca.gov
(916) 416-4309

Buying Brakes? Look for the Label.
DTSC Approves a Second Company to Test and Certify Brakes Sold in California Comply with Environmental Laws and Regulations

AMECA verifies compliance to register brake friction materials in accordance with California law to ensure copper and other constituents limits are met

SACRAMENTO – The state Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is providing consumers extra assurance that brakes in California are more environmentally-friendly by approving a second company as a testing certification agency for automotive brakes.

California is one of two states that limits the amount of copper, asbestos, and other constituents in brake friction materials, and requires an approved third-party to provide oversight. DTSC chose Washington D.C-based Automotive Manufacturers Equipment Compliance Agency, Inc. (AMECA) to ensure the integrity and environmental compliance of brake friction material in California.

As an accredited Testing Certification Agency for brake friction material formulations under the California Brake Friction Material Law, AMECA evaluates friction materials and publicly lists compliant materials on its website (opens new window).

“By approving AMECA as a testing certification agency, DTSC ensures the public can confidently purchase certified compliant brake friction materials in California. This is an important next step in providing for a healthier environment here in our state,” said Karl Palmer, Acting Deputy Director of DTSC’s Safer Consumer Products Program.

In general, brake pads manufactured after January 1, 2014, for vehicles manufactured on and after January 1, 2014, need to be certified before they can be sold in California. The law has one sell-off period and two exemptions that may cause a brake pad from being marked. More information can be found in the law (opens new window).

Brake pads certified by the testing certification agency will have a “marked proof of certification” and a certification mark.

The certification mark, also known as the packaging logo, notifies consumers and retailers that the product is compliant with California’s laws and regulations. The “marked proof of certification” links the product to laboratory testing results and self-certification documents on the certification agency’s website.

To earn approval from DTSC, AMECA had to comply with testing certification agency requirements outlined in the California Brake Friction Material Requirements, which includes specific chemical analysis data and ISO 17065 accreditation for conformity assessment bodies certifying products, processes, and services. “We want to thank California for accepting our application, said Kevin Wolford, Executive Director of AMECA. “Obtaining recognition by California as a Testing Certification Agency was the result of three years of effort by AMECA.

Wolford also thanked Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) for their help.

AMECA is the second company that DTSC has recognized as a testing agency, joining NSF International.

Click on DTSC’s brake pad program for more information.

# # #

FOR GENERAL INQUIRIES: Contact the Department of Toxic Substances Control to report illegal handling, discharge, or disposal of hazardous waste or other environmental concerns at Calepa.my.salesforce-sites.com/complaints/Complaint.