The final element of the asbestos prohibition regulations in the UK came into effect in November 1999. This effectivel banned the use of all asbestos products in the UK
The ban had been discussed for a around 2/3 years during various rounds of consultation of the prohibtion. At the same time a similar approach was adopted by other EU members as part of the European Asbestos Worker Protection Directive.
In the lead up the this many of the European based car manufacturers had stopped the use of asbestos in products due to litigation issues. The problem that arises at present is that despite the ban on the use of asbestos evidence exists that non-OEM parts imported from places like China and India can still be found with an asbestos content where simialr bans on asbestos are not currently in place.
My first Morgan a 2003 Series 2 Aero interestingly had asbestos warning stickers on the fuse cover and bulk head. After I got to konw a few people at the factory I pointed out the them that asbestos had been banned and shortly after this they stopped fixing the stickers.
I'm not sure how this helps with importing a Morgan from Japan but the Australia has probably ended up with the approach it has due to its proximity and imports from nations that haven't banned the use of asbestos. Most notable is this
Perth Children Hospital and similiar occurances with trains imported from China.
I know the thread has suggested that asbestos can be found in car friction materials and gaskets, but you should also be aware that it was used in sound deadening pads until the late 1970's and on some older vehicles it was incorporated into underseals.
