Comline Auto Parts is pleased to share its commitment to offering customers a brake pad that is certified ‘N’ rated under the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) LeafMarkTM – but what does this mean exactly?
LeafMarkTM is a trademark of The Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association, and this endorsement confirms Comline’s brake pads contain less than 0.5% copper by weight and conform to various other hazardous material measures.
US legislation dictates that brake manufacturers and importers must selfcertify that their brake pads contain no more than 5% copper by weight, and by 2025, it reduces to 0.5%.
While the law doesn’t apply to the UK, Comline believes this practice is a sensible and ethical choice, as it reduces harmful pollutants and ensures a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone.
Comline actually began work to eradicate copper from its brake pad formulations back in 2016, following the environmental studies conducted in California and Washington, which triggered the law changes.
Groups and regulators in those regions demonstrated that the wear of traditional brake pads caused copper and other materials to be dumped onto roadways, consequently polluting streams, rivers, and the wider marine ecosystem.
Certification as ‘N’ rated, under the AASA LeafMarkTM, advocates Comline’s continued commitment to copper-free brake pads. Comline Director of Braking Product Development, Dr. Keith Ellis, said:
“Whilst there is still no formal regulation of copper content in brake pads here in Europe, we took the results of studies from the United States very seriously. As a brand we felt the responsibility to limit the environmental impact of our brake pads and quickly sought to bring our all makes range in-line with planned governance for California.
“Although we have been compliant for some time, receiving the ‘N’ rated LeafMarkTM from the AASA underlines the validity of our claims and enables us to more effectively promote Comline’s copper-free credentials.”
The AASA exclusively represents the North American Aftermarket supplier industry, but its LeafMarkTM symbol is now being attributed to brands, such as Comline, that reside outside of North America.
