NEW ECE R90 REGS FOR DISCS AND DRUMS ARE MAJOR STEP FORWARD FOR PARTS SAFETY

Braking pioneer and leading global safety expert, TRW Automotive Aftermarket, has commended the forthcoming ECE R90 regulations for brake discs and drums; viewing this as a major step forward for global automotive safety.

Richard Adgey, Product Group Manager Braking Global P&S, explained: “As global leaders in the design, manufacture and supply of braking components, systems and technologies, we are committed to improving road safety.

“At TRW, we view the introduction of any regulation that demands adherence to the standardisation of safety critical parts as a major step forward for the industry. Provided they are universally enforced and policed, these regulations will make it much harder for sub-standard and counterfeit product to reach the market and seriously compromise driver safety.”

From November 2014 all heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) brake discs and drums (including those for buses and trailers) manufactured and sold across Europe will have to meet the minimum standards outlined in the ECE R90 legislation. From November 2016 these rules will also apply to passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (LCV). In order to meet these standards, the parts must pass a series of tests and perform to levels similar to the Original Equipment part.

Richard continued: “As active members of the official working group behind these new regulations and as firm advocates of mass communication of the safety message through our own corporate campaigns, TRW has supported this quality process for some time. TRW’s internal specification already exceeds legislation so we are prepared for and welcome these changes; as we did in 1999 with the introduction of the ECE R90 rules for brake pads.

“We take our responsibility very seriously and the safety of the parts we produce is pivotal. However, we believe that as an industry, everyone has a part to play in improving vehicle safety and we actively encourage the introduction of legislation which improves standards.” he concluded.

TRW is one of the few aftermarket manufacturers to have its own dynamometer capabilities, allowing for first-hand process control instead of relying on third party testing facilities.