d Self-regulation was the battle cry of the nineties, and
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it is still critical as we move into the new millennium.
Brake re-fining for trucks and buses is perhaps not the most glamorous of subjects, but for hauliers, brake re-liners and, most importantly, the general public, it should be a matter of grave concern.
Imagine the headline: "38-tonne truck ploughs through shop window, killing 12"...it's a frightening thought. Potentially, though, this nightmare could happen. And it seems that until now our industry has been content to let this happen, by failing to provide an adequate safety check on re-fined brakes.
Most people don't realise that anyone can undertake brake relining with no requirement for their equipment, training or procedures to be assessed or audited—a scandalous situation as it is one of the most safety critical areas affecting vehicles on the road today. Operators can only be assured that their fleets are safe by fitting products that are fully refurbished to the safety levels of new shoes.
That is why we should now applaud the brake re-liners who have embraced the first independently accredited brake assured standard. The ADF's "Brake Assured" programme, launched in November 999, is controlled by independent assessors Det Norske Veritas (DNV). It sets out a series of stringent criteria to which brake re-liners must adhere to receive the accreditation certificate, and has the backing of Brake and other organisations. including Don, P&P Sergeant, Pagid and Roadlink International.
This programme has come directly from the industry, devised by brake re-liners who recognise that we must impose our own set of standards. We feel it is far more effective to have a say in how our industry is going to move forward than to suffer the ignominy of having regulations slapped down by bureaucrats who do not understand the issues.
Look at the problems the friction market is facing since the imposition of the "asbestos-free" regulations on manufacturers. The arguments by the ADF, SMMT and the British Friction Manufacturers Council with the government has, regrettably, led to poor implementation of the law that is costly to everyone.
To encourage companies to come on board the ADF has created a "Brake Assured" membership starter pack which, at 2100 for members and 1250 for non-members, provides leaflets, stickers, posters and an accreditation certificate to display in their workshops and reception areas.
I believe it is far better for those in the brake re-lining sector to recognise the safety risks early on, draw up a set of fair selfregulatory measures and prevent potentially fatal accidents becoming headline news. If not, the consequences may be too much for us all to bear.