When talking about brake parts you may often hear word about ECE R90 certifications. What are those, and what do they mean for your business?
ECE Regulation 90, abbreviated to ECE R90, is a regulation concerning design, construction, performance requirements and test protocols for replacement brake parts for motor vehicles and trailers. Every replacement brake component offered in the European Union, and in several other European countries that have adopted the same rules, need to have ECE R90 type-approval. The term ‘brake parts’ includes: Brake pads, brake discs, brake linings, brake shoes, and brake drums.
Under the ECE R90 regulations, replacement brake parts need to stay within a 15% tolerance compared to their original-equipment counterparts (OEM/OES). The tolerance is calculated by comparing the frictional characteristics of the replacement brake part with the frictional characteristics of the original OEM/OES part. When tolerance is higher than 15%, the replacement brake part will not receive ECE R90 type approval, and so it cannot be sold in Europe.
How to get your replacement brake parts ECE R90 certified?
The certification procedure consists of two parts: 1) an assessment of the replacement brake part manufacturing and manufacturing procedures. 2) a test of the replacement brake part itself. The procedure is overseen by national-automotive regulators, for example by the VCA in the United Kingdom and by the RDW in the Netherlands.
The ECE R90 certification procedure can be tedious and complicated, made even worse by bureaucratic hurdles and regular updates of the regulations. 6th Gear Automotive is specialized in navigating and speeding up certification procedures. We have over 12 years of experience with getting your replacement brake part certified quickly and without hassle.
More about ECE R90 certifications for brake components in our new ECE R90 FAQ.