The U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure last Thursday 321-87 mandating a report on the importation of all brake products containing asbestos. The Brake Manufacturers Council (BMC) of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) have called this a substantial win for the BMC and association members.

Bill Hanvey, BMC group executive and vice president of AASA had this to say about the issue: “U.S. manufacturers have worked diligently to meet requirements to remove asbestos from their brake friction products over the past 10 years. However, some internationally manufactured brake friction products made with asbestos are still being imported into the U.S. market.” 

Last April, during the annual MEMA Legislative Summit, members of the BMC met with Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) to illustrate concerns about the continuing importation of brake friction materials that comprise of asbestos. Wolf, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, composed the bill that has now passed the House.

The measure itself requires requires the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) to report within 120 days of the act’s passage regarding imported brake products containing asbestos.

“This is a clear example of why participation in the Legislative Summit and our advocacy programs work,” said Ann Wilson, senior vice president, government affairs, MEMA. “While there is much discussion of the gridlock and partisan bickering present today in Washington, honest and productive advocacy is still effective and still takes place in the halls of Congress.

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