The challenges facing the aftermarket in the lead-up to Euro 7

It’s been a year since the new Euro 7 regulation was released. With transition periods, new vehicle models will need to adhere to the limits from 1^st November 2026. As original equipment (OE) manufacturers prepare to meet the first deadline, brake friction specialist TMD Friction discusses the work done to date, challenges faced, potential solutions, and the critical issues that need to be considered before the legislation hits the aftermarket in late 2028/early 2029.

Understanding Euro 7
Euro 7 represents the most comprehensive emissions legislation to date in Europe, extending beyond exhaust emissions to include brake and tyre particulate matter for the first time. The regulation will initially affect new vehicle types at the end of 2026, with full implementation across all new vehicle registrations by the end of 2027.

Preparing for Euro 7  
As an active participant in the Particle Measurement Programme (PMP) working group, TMD Friction contributed directly to developing the testing methodologies that now define compliance standards. Even with this advanced knowledge and our extensive team of R&D experts working on Euro 7, it still hasn’t been an easy journey.

It is not as straightforward as simply changing a friction formula to produce less emissions. Each raw material has been carefully selected to work in harmony with each other to achieve the perfect performance, quality and stopping power. Removing just one ingredient can compromise the integrity of the product.

In addition, the majority of brake dust emissions actually come from the disc, not the pad. This means that manufacturers must ensure compliance for the entire friction pairing – not just the brake pad alone. It also highlights that a holistic approach to the Euro 7 standards is required. Achieving Euro 7 compliance isn’t solely about friction material innovation. The interaction between the brake pad and the disc creates a complex system where material properties, surface characteristics and thermal behaviour all influence particulate emissions. It has emphasised that the pad-disc pairing is more important than ever in achieving compliance. It is challenging, but we in the R&D team at TMD Friction love challenges.

To help us meet the challenges, we invested €1.5 million in our own emissions dynamometer to ensure faster time to market for compliant products, as well as giving us complete control over our development and validation processes without waiting for external independent testing agencies. It also allows us time to trial different friction formulas without sacrificing the quality, performance, and safety, which are non-negotiable.

Transition date challenges for Euro 7 
While the legislation allows time for manufacturers to develop compliant solutions, there are some practical challenges that need to be considered – particularly around the 2027 implementation deadline for new vehicle registrations. For example, what to do about vehicles which are manufactured before this date, but registered after? Dealerships will be faced with decisions about whether to register vehicles early, potentially affecting resale values, or retrofit compliant brake systems, adding significant costs.

Current progress and OE development insights
Our 110 years of experience as an OE brake friction manufacturer provides valuable insights into Euro 7 compliance challenges.

The most promising solutions we are currently considering are a hard metal coated disc with a low steel pad or an NAO pad with a standard grey cast iron disc combination. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach – we need to consider all options for the different vehicle types and classes. Electric vehicles, for example, will need a different solution to combustion engine cars. There are also multiple coating options that will need to be considered depending on the vehicle type, usage and budget.

Developing the right pad-disc pairing is done as standard for the OE to guarantee the expected performance and safety. But this is not standard practice within the independent aftermarket, creating the biggest challenge for Euro 7 compliance in the aftermarket.

Complexity ahead for the aftermarket
The transition to Euro 7 compliance in the aftermarket presents unique challenges that differ significantly from OE implementation. Currently projected for late 2028 early 2029, this transition will require unprecedented coordination across the entire supply chain.

From our OE experience, we know that achieving Euro 7 compliance will require specific pad-disc pairings. This creates a fundamental challenge for the aftermarket, where cost considerations frequently drive purchasing decisions and drivers do not always replace the pads and discs together.

Market education and implementation
The aftermarket’s price-sensitive nature presents additional complexity. Workshop technicians and end consumers accustomed to selecting brake components based primarily on cost and basic performance criteria will need comprehensive education about compliance requirements and why they need to buy specific pairings.

Distribution networks will also require substantial training to understand which combinations achieve compliance and why pairings matter for both regulatory adherence and safety performance.

In addition, we also need to develop features that enable workshops and dealers to easily determine the right pairings.

Balancing environment and reality
TMD Friction supports Euro 7’s environmental objectives of reducing particulate matter emissions. However, our extensive development experience highlights areas where practical implementation challenges require careful consideration.

The regulation’s primary focus on environmental benefits sometimes overshadows equally important safety considerations. Brake system performance cannot be compromised in pursuit of emissions compliance – a principle that guides all our development work.

As aftermarket volumes increase and homologation requirements expand, the industry will face capacity and complexity challenges. The current testing infrastructure may also struggle to accommodate the volume of required certifications, potentially creating bottlenecks that could delay product availability.

TMD Friction’s commitment to excellence
Our approach to Euro 7 compliance reflects our fundamental commitment to quality, safety, performance and environment. We began developing solutions years before the compliance deadline, ensuring thorough testing and validation of every product we bring to market. Our proactive approach means customers can be confident that TMD Friction products will meet both regulatory requirements and performance expectations.

We recognise that successful Euro 7 implementation requires more than compliant products – it demands comprehensive support for our distribution partners and end customers. Our technical teams are prepared to provide extensive education and support, ensuring smooth transitions and optimal system performance.

The disc pairing challenge remains paramount for achieving true Euro 7 compliance. We continue developing friction formulations that can deliver optimal performance across various disc types, while maintaining our uncompromising safety standards.

The road to transition
The aftermarket compliance deadline may be several years away, but the complexity of these new requirements demands immediate attention and planning. Successful implementation will need coordinated efforts across manufacturers, distributors, workshops and end consumers.

We are committed to leading this transition through continued innovation, comprehensive education programmes and unwavering support for our partners. Our experience in OE Euro 7 development provides unique insights that will prove invaluable as the aftermarket navigates these changes.

The challenges are significant, but they’re not impossible. With proper planning, education and commitment to both environmental responsibility and safety excellence, Euro 7 implementation can deliver meaningful benefits for air quality, while maintaining the brake system performance drivers depend on.

By Vincenzo Di Caro, Senior Manager Vehicle Programme at TMD Friction

“The challenges facing the aftermarket in the lead-up to Euro 7” was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.

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