Federal-Mogul is making copper-based brake discrepancies a little easier to comprehend by encouraging the use of the new “Leaf Mark” that is intended to increase awareness of the new packaging covering “low copper” compliant brake pads.

This “Leaf Mark” has been introduced by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association as a pivotal reference to recent legislation in California and Washington that has mandated the dramatic reduction of copper and other potentially hazardous substances in original equipment and replacement brake pads and shoes.

To assist consumers and technicians, this new mark helps differentiate between all the new brake pads that comply with the new requirements.

So what are the each of the symbols and what do they mean?

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

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

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

To learn more about the industry’s shift to low- and zero-copper brake pads, visit www.WagnerBrake.com. All trademarks are owned by Federal-Mogul Corp. or one or more of its subsidiaries in one or more countries.