The state of Minnesota has proposed a ban on lead wheel balance weights for all vehicles within the state, including passenger and commercial vehicles. If passed, Minnesota would become the 7th state to enact a ban on lead wheel balance weights. Minnesota currently has a state mandate in effect for state-owned fleet vehicles to utilize only non-lead wheel balance weights and has had similar state-wide regulation on lead based wheel weights proposed in the past.
“It has been a while since we have seen a state re-open the lead wheel weight debate, but this new development in Minnesota shows that the issue is not going away,” said Gregory Parker, marketing manager for WEGMANN automotive USA Inc., home of Perfect Equipment and Hofmann Power Weight brand wheel balance weights.
Minnesota had bills introduced and read on the house (HF2542) and senate (SF2192) floor recently, with both bills being referred to their Environmental & Energy Resources committees for review. The specific language for each bill includes a ban on the installation, sale and distribution of only lead and mercury-based wheel balance weights and currently proposes an effective date of January 1, 2015.
