Wagner Brake Helps Installers Recognize Certification Markings on Low-Copper Brakes

Federal-Mogul’s Wagner Brake brand is reaching out to automotive parts distributors and service providers to increase awareness of the new packaging “LeafMark” designation covering “low copper” compliant brake pads. Recent legislation in California and Washington state has mandated the dramatic reduction of copper and other potentially hazardous substances in original equipment and replacement brake pads and shoes.

To help professional technicians and consumers determine whether brake pads comply with the low copper requirements, the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and industry brake manufacturing registrar NSF International established a series of LeafMark designations to be used on product packaging:

Level “A” designates compliance with requirements concerning cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury and asbestos. Level “A” compliance is required by January 1, 2014, in California and January 2015 in Washington state.

Level “B” designates compliance with each of the above metals as well as copper, which must be reduced to less than 5 percent of material weight. Level “B” compliance is required by 2021.

Level “N” designates compliance with the “Zero Copper” requirement, which takes effect in 2025.

Federal-Mogul recently introduced Wagner ThermoQuiet Ceramic brake pads featuring the first full-line offering of 2021-compliant low-copper formulations. The Level “B” LeafMark designation, indicating full compliance with 2021 requirements, is now being added to ThermoQuiet Ceramic packaging.