RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure on May 29 ordering a report on the importation of 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 major victory for the BMC and association members.
“U.S. manufacturers have worked diligently to meet requirements to remove asbestos from their brake friction products over the past 10 years,” said Bill Hanvey, BMC group executive and vice president of AASA. “However, some internationally manufactured brake friction products made with asbestos are still being imported into the U.S. market.”
During the annual MEMA Legislative Summit in April, Hanvey and members of the BMC met with Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) to express concerns about the continuing importation of brake friction materials containing asbestos. Wolf, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, authored the bill that has now passed the House.
The measure, part of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill of 2015, 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.
BMC members participating in the Summit and the meeting with Wolf included: Frank Oliveto, vice president, sales and marketing Americas, Util Group; Bob Wilkes, director of product development, Robert Bosch LLC; John Carney, project manager, FDP Brakes Inc.; and Walt Britland, director, aftermarket products, Federal-Mogul Friction Products.
“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.”
