August 29, 2011
Weighing in on lead-free wheel weight legislation
The EPA wants lead wheel weights phased out nationally; 10 states have rules enacted or pending
By: Bob Bissler
A lead-free movement is spreading across the country. Lead wheel weights are on the way out, and many tire dealers have been required to make the transition to lead-free.
The state of California enacted legislation that prohibits the manufacture, sale or installation of lead wheel weights. When it went into effect on Jan. 1, 2010, dealers weren’t given much time to make the transition. Some had to scrap their inventories of lead weights.
As a result, it was costly and inefficient, with inventory management problems and distribution issues for suppliers. And, penalties for those who did not comply.
Tire dealerships in areas where lead legislation is being considered can avoid such problems. Even in states where discontinuing the use of lead is being suggested, tire dealers may want to consider taking control of their own conversions to avoid problems. Another plus to making the switch to lead-free: The business can then be promoted as an environmentally friendly “green” shop.
There’s another good reason to change over to lead-free alternatives. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants to eliminate the use of lead wheel weights. The EPA has requested the voluntary removal of lead wheel weights from commerce as soon as possible.
Another group in favor of phasing out the use of lead wheel weights is the Environmental Council of States (ECOS). ECOS is a national non-profit, non-partisan association of state and territorial environmental agency leaders.
“The Environmental Council of States sent a resolution to the EPA acknowledging their research and encouraging them to phase out the use of lead weights nationally by 2013,” says Kevin Keefe, vice president of marketing for Hennessy Industries, supplier of Bada steel wheel weights. “We’ve been engaged with the EPA for the better part of almost seven years on this subject.”
Still, many states are banning lead weights, and a growing number of automotive original equipment manufacturers are using non-lead products. Today, every North American vehicle manufacturer has made the switch. GM started it and they were followed by Ford, then Chrysler.
Washington state’s lead wheel weight ban went into statewide effect on Jan. 1, 2011. The restriction states that anyone replacing or balancing wheels must replace lead wheel weights with environmentally preferred weights. Violators can be fined up to $500 for a first offense.
“For environmental reasons, 3M supports ECOS’ efforts to phase-out lead,” says Kyle Lasenby, business and marketing manager, 3M Automotive Division.
“To help keep customers up-to-date on the latest developments, 3M distributed a news piece on the ECOS effort. 3M is a charter member of the EPA’s National Lead-Free Wheel Weight Initiative — and the only member that has never manufactured or sold lead wheel weights. The initiative is a voluntary effort to accelerate the transition away from lead wheel weights.”
In addition to Washington and California, there are three other states where laws have been enacted. Four more states have wheel weight legislation that is pending.
Vermont enacted legislation prohibiting the use of lead wheel weights on state vehicles, effective Jan. 1, 2010. A second rule goes into effect Sept. 1, 2011, that prohibits the use of lead wheel weights on any new motor vehicle sold.
Maine also has two lead-free laws. Effective Jan. 1 of this year, the sale, distribution or use of wheel weights containing lead or mercury was banned. Another rule, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2012, prohibits the sale of a new vehicle with wheel weights containing lead or mercury.
In New York state, legislation has been enacted that prohibits the sale, distribution or use of wheel weights containing more than .1% lead on all used vehicles. The legislation went into effect April 1, 2011.
On April 1, 2012, a second rule becomes effective prohibiting the sales of a new vehicle with wheel weights containing more than .1% lead.
Similar rules will go into effect Jan. 1, 2012, in the state of Illinois. One of the rules prohibits the sale or distribution of wheel weights containing .1% lead. The other prohibits the sale of a new vehicle with wheel weights containing .1% lead.
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