The timeline below lists milestones relevant to the Brake Pad Law.

• September 27, 2010
  California Motor Vehicle Brake Friction Materials Law adopted
• December 12, 2011
  SAE Standard J2975, Measurement of Copper and Other Elements in Brake Friction Materials approved
• July 16, 2012
  SAE Standard J866, Friction Coefficient Identification and Environmental Marking System for Brake Linings approved
• January 9, 2013
  DTSC issues guidelines on selecting a testing certification agency
• September 27, 2013
  State of California passes Assembly Bill (AB) 501. AB 501 adds language to the California Brake Pad Law that allows motor vehicle dealers to continue to sell or offer for sale brake friction material not certified as compliant with the January 1, 2014, requirements if the brake friction material was installed on a vehicle before the vehicle was acquired by the dealer.
• October 2, 2013
  State of Washington Department of Ecology issues “Guidelines for Marking Brake Friction Material” requirements under the Better Brakes law.
• December 20, 2013
  Updated version of SAE Standard J2975, Measurement of Copper and Other Elements in Brake Friction Materials
• January 1, 2014
  On and after January 1, 2014, the law requires brake pads sold in California to be certified by a testing certification agency (aka, a registrar)and marked by the manufacturer as compliant with the following restrictions:

• • Cadmium exceeding 0.01% by weight
  • Chromium (VI) salts exceeding 0.1% by weight
  • Lead exceeding 0.1% by weight
  • Mercury exceeding 0.1% by weight
  • Asbestiform fibers exceeding 0.1% by weight

• January 1, 2019
  On and after January 1, 2019, a manufacturer may request an extension to the January 1, 2025, requirements. DTSC will charge the manufacturer a fee for each extension application submitted.
• January 1, 2021
  On and after January 1, 2021, the law requires brake pads sold in California to be certified by a testing certification agency (aka., registrar) and marked by the manufacturer as compliant with the following restrictions:

• • Cadmium exceeding 0.01% by weight
  • Chromium (VI) salts exceeding 0.1% by weight
  • Copper exceeding 5% by weight
  • Lead exceeding 0.1% by weight
  • Mercury exceeding 0.1% by weight
  • Asbestiform fibers exceeding 0.1% by weight

• December 31, 2023
  Motor vehicle manufacturers and distributors, wholesalers, or retailers of replacement brake friction materials may no longer offer for sale brake friction materials that do not comply with the January 1, 2014, restrictions.
• January 1, 2025
  On and after January 1, 2025, the law requires brake pads sold in California to be certified by a testing certification agency (aka., registrar) and marked by the manufacturer as compliant with the following restrictions:

• December 31, 2029
  The last day DTSC will accept an extension application to an existing extension for light- and medium-duty vehicles.
• January 1, 2030
  On and after January 1, 2030, brake friction material manufacturers for heavy-duty vehicles (a vehicle weighing over 26,000 lbs gross weight) may apply for an extension to the January 1, 2025, requirements for an existing extension.

Questions?

For questions regarding the California Brake Pad law, please send your inquiries to brakepad@dtsc.ca.gov.