Background: In the USA, the states of California and Washington each passed laws regulating various constituent levels in friction materials. The laws are focussed on protecting the environment, thus requiring manufacturers to test and register friction materials. They require marking friction material edge codes and marking friction material packaging with compliance information.

Three levels of compliance are documented:
Level “A” regulates cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury and asbestos.
Level “B” is the same as A but copper must be less than 5 weight percent.
Level “N” is the same as B, however copper must be less than 0.5 weight percent.

Regulation Timing: Level “A”: Adopted in California January 1, 2014. Washington will follow suit by January 1, 2015. Friction materials to be below 0.01% Cadmium, 0.1% Hexavalent Chromium, Lead, Mercury & Asbestos fibers.
ALL ABS Friction formulations ALREADY meet this requirement.

Level “B”: California and Washington must both be compliant by January 1, 2021. Friction materials containing more than 5% by weight Copper is prohibited.
ABS Friction formulations ALREADY conform; metallics do not contain copper, current ceramic is less than 5% copper.

Level “N”: California to comply by January 1, 2025, Washington by January 1, 2023. All formulations sold with more than 0.5% Copper by weight is prohibited.
ABS Friction metallics and copper free ceramics already meet this requirement.

For more information on friction material registration regulations, LeafMarks and their use, visit www.nsf.org