Independent global public health and safety organization NSF International has approved a second laboratory, EMSL Analytical, Inc., to perform the testing required under the NSF Friction Material Program. EMSL Analytical, Inc. was approved after demonstrating its ability to produce quality, consistent and valid test results in accordance with the program’s requirements.
The states of California and Washington have enacted legislation to limit the amount of copper and other compounds used in brake friction materials. Implementation for the California law began Jan. 1, 2014 and the Washington law will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2015.
The laws require manufacturers to obtain third-party testing and registration of friction materials affected by the laws to demonstrate their compliance. To help brake manufacturers comply with these state regulations, the NSF Friction Material Program accepts friction material test data from approved laboratories such as EMSL Analytical, Inc., determines level of compliance, submits applicable data to state agencies and publicly lists compliant materials on its online index of compliant brake friction materials.
Laboratories wishing to conduct testing for the NSF Friction Material Program must be approved by NSF International. As the second testing laboratory to earn NSF’s approval, EMSL Analytical, Inc. has demonstrated its commitment to quality by meeting the program’s stringent requirements. These include maintaining ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation to demonstrate a lab’s ability to produce consistent and valid test results as well as passing annual audits to verify ongoing compliance to brake friction material testing standard SAE J2975.
“EMSL Analytical, Inc. has locations across the United States and Canada with over 30 years of experience testing a wide array of products. Manufacturers can now submit friction material to EMSL for testing and be assured that EMSL meets all of the state requirements and that test results will be acceptable to the NSF Friction Material Program,” says Bob Frayer, director of NSF International’s Automotive Collision Certification Programs and Engineering Laboratories.
Other labs seeking NSF approval to test to this program are encouraged to apply. Applications to join the program can be found on NSF International’s website.
For more information about the NSF Friction Material Registration Program, visit NSF’s website or contact [email protected] or 734-214-6210.
NSF International tests and certifies auto parts with its Automotive Collision Replacement Parts Certification Program, including reinforcement bars, steel bumpers, step bumpers, brackets, absorbers, external vehicle lighting and other parts. Complementing this program, the NSF Automotive Collision Parts Distributor Certification Program helps close the gap in the supply chain between parts manufacturers and body shops and was developed to meet the needs of collision repair shops, insurers and consumers.
NSF International, through NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd. (NSF-ISR), is one of the largest management systems registrars (ISO) to the auto industry. NSF-ISR is recognized by the International Automotive Task Force to provide ISO/TS 16949 certification in the automotive sector and provides certifications to the following: ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 in addition to other standards.
