Continental ATE Brake Discs Meet Quality Norms Before Introduction of Legislation

Continental AG has revealed that even before the ECE R90 norm for brake discs comes into force from November 2016, 90 per cent of the disc brakes of the ATE product range from Continental already are compliant with all the technical requirements for ECE R90 and will have the ECE seal of approval. This will rise further by early 2017 and will make Continental one of the first companies in the automotive industry to offer customers a comprehensive, ECE-certified range of disc brakes.

In view of the need for stringent quality standards from a long-term perspective, ATE began carrying out stringent tests early on, and exhaustively tested over 1000 item numbers, making sure that they are completely safe and meet ECE norms. The tests included 150 brake applications to lower the speed of the vehicle from its maximum down to 20 km/h. An inertia dynamometer was then used to check the crack resistance of the discs. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe plans to make ECE seal compulsory for disc brakes compulsory from November 2016.

As one of the manufacturers of premium disc brakes, Continental was well prepared for the introduction of the new legal requirements. The company has always made it a priority to conduct extensive performance testing of its products.

“We are an OEM for the major automotive brands, so we only use advanced OE materials and manufacture our products in comparable OE quality – and the same goes for our ATE brake discs in the aftermarket,” said Peter Wagner, Vice President Independent Aftermarket and Managing Director of Continental Aftermarket. He added that the ECE seal of approval only officially confirms the company’s own high quality standards.”

The ECE regulation is meant to ensure that consistent standards are maintained for aftermarket components, as it means that from now on, spare parts for brakes should also have the same quality and features as OE products. The ECE R90 regulations have been in force for brake pads in the aftermarket from 1999, but from this November, they will also be applicable for brake discs for newly registered vehicle models. Hence, motorists who buy brake products in the independent aftermarket can be sure that the products they buy meet OE quality standards. The ECE seal of approval will also largely replace the General Operating Permit for vehicle spare parts, making it unnecessary for motorists to keep a copy of the permit in the car.

According to Wagner, the imposition of the ECE R90 norms will serve as yet another barrier for the spread of fake products in ECE countries. In the long run, motorists will ultimately benefit as they will have greater assurance of their safety.