Brake Performance Rating Program Reaches Critical Mass

The Brake Effectiveness Evaluation Procedure (BEEP), the brake pad and shoe performance certification program of the Brake Manufacturers Council (BMC), has now reached critical mass, with the current number of available platforms representing 75 percent of the market.
The BEEP program, unveiled at AAPEX in 2002, incorporates industry voluntary standards and guidelines for brake pad and shoe performance consistent with the Federal Safety Standards for OE braking systems. In the three years since the program was launched, BEEP has continued to grow by expanding its offerings and raising awareness in the industry and with consumers.
"The mission of BEEP is to give technicians and consumers confidence that they have purchased quality products manufactured by QS9000/ISO9001 certified companies. It also provides the technician criteria to validate brake pad and shoe effectiveness performance," said Tim Duncan, Vice President Test Operations, Link Testing Laboratories, Inc. and chairman of the SAE Dynamometer Test Code Committee.
Certified BEEP products are identified by a seal that may be placed on the packaging of parts that meet the performance criteria, as well as on other appropriate literature and marketing materials, he explained.
"We strongly encourage distributors, retailers, shop owners and technicians to learn more about BEEP certification," Duncan added. As an industry-consortia the BMC will continue working with Standard Development Organizations (SDO), as recommended by the OMB Circular A119 and the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995.
The Brake Manufacturers Council is a product line group of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). More information is available online at www.brakecouncil.org.