Provincial Brake Standards Act to be Read in Ontario Legislature

In a press conference yesterday at Queen’s Park, MPP Guelph Liz Sandals alongside ABS Friction CEO Rick Jamieson outlined Bill 181, an amendment to the Highway and Traffic Act that, if passed, would drastically change how aftermarket pads are manufactured, distributed, and sold in the province of Ontario. The act is essentially a two-fold proposal calling for minimum provincial standards for aftermarket replacement brake pads and that any aftermarket brake pad sold in Ontario to be asbestos-free. Today, Bill 181 will advance to its Second Reading and be debated by the Ontario Legislature at Queen’s Park.

“The brake pads manufactured in Ontario are safe, but not all brake pads currently sold in Ontario are necessarily safe,” said Liz Sandals, MPP for Guelph. “My Private Member’s Bill seeks to ensure that Ontario drivers have safe and reliable brake pads.”

While there are voluntary standards in place by the Automotive Manufacturers Equipment Compliance Agency (AMECA) and many brake pads are Brake Effectiveness Evaluation Procedure (BEEP) certified, many consumers and trades people are shocked to discover that there is currently no brake standards set by the federal or provincial government. Currently, the only standards in place apply exclusively to the original equipment manufacturers of new vehicles. If passed, the act would require cars equipped with aftermarket brake pads meet specified safety standards.

While no Ontario manufacturers are using Asbestos in the manufacturing of brake pads it can still be found in parts manufactured in other jurisdictions, leading many brakes shipped from Canadian, U.S. and overseas markets to contain asbestos. This remains especially hazardous for service technicians and workers who regularly clean the dust from worn brake pads inside the wheel wells. Over time this can lead to asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer if the worker is not properly protected.

“This is a good first step and I want to thank MPP Sandals for taking the initiative and showing leadership on this important public safety issue,” said Rick Jamieson, CEO of ABS Friction Corp. “Our industry is proud of our commitment to high standards that ensure the safety of Ontario drivers and our employees.”

Feel free to offer your support for the legislation by sending an email to your local MPP. For more information regarding AMECA standards go to www.ameca.org.