After the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) announced it would collaborate with the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) after “three out of eight aftermarket brake pad brands” tested were found to be non-compliant and failed to meet UNECE 90 Regulation performance requirements, we put some questions to IAAF CEO, Mark Field, about the impact of this revelation:
Q. Let’s go back a step – how did this story reach you?
Mark Field (MF): “IAAF holds close links with all government departments relating to the automotive aftermarket. As part of the DVSA’s process of education, rather than prosecution, we and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ aftermarket committee were informed of its findings.”
Q. What was your reaction?
MF: “We support the DVSA in its actions, which are designed to ensure compliance of standards throughout the sector.”
Q. Once you gathered all the facts, what did you do next?
MF: “Working with the DVSA and with the emphasis on education, we brought the matter to the attention of the industry and will look to go further in the coming months. A key point of DVSA’s market surveillance is that everyone in the supply chain is responsible and so pushing the matter further up the supply chain is no longer a viable option – we have to educate garages and motor factors in this regard, as well as suppliers.”
Q. Obviously, the story has broken but the three brands, at the time of writing, have yet to be identified – does this sit right with you?
MF: “I’ve seen comments on the various forums and have spoken to numerous people about this issue. I understand the frustration, but DVSA has been very clear that, on this occasion, its intention is education, not prosecution.”
Q. The margin for error of performance requirements was plus or minus 15% – is that quite a large gap?
MF: “That’s the stipulation within UNECE Regulation 90 for pads – it is +/- 8% for discs. UNECE R90 is about the performance and correct labelling of the product and packaging and we will look to work with DVSA on educating the market.”
Q. Why were only eight aftermarket braking brands tested?
MF: “The DVSA selected the brands, presumably they had some logic as to why they were selected. There are over 40 pad brands in the UK aftermarket alone, with the addition of OEMs, which also have to meet UNECE R90.”
Q. As factors and technicians are none-the- wiser to the identity of these brands, they might be nervous that what they’re selling or fitting is non-compliant – are they liable? How is the IAAF supporting factors during this period?
MF: “In reality, if a product is found to not meet the standards, then yes, they would be liable – this is why the DVSA is looking to educate the market. I know that the reputable manufacturers out there are spending millions of pounds-a-year on UNECE R90 testing, since its inception years ago, and they have been frustrated that there was no proper enforcement.
“Local trading standards bodies picked up the job, but they had no budgets and were reliant on reputable tips and officers who understood the regulations. The IAAF is communicating the DVSA’s message to the market; those whom the DVSA have contacted are, I am sure, putting their houses in order – the industry needs to make sure all product complies.”
