History& Benefits

In 1948 the Friction Materials Standards Institute was founded as a trade association of automotive aftermarket friction manufacturers. Since that time it has performed a very valuable service for the automotive aftermarket – the creation of a standardized part numbering system for brakes and clutch facings. Not only do the manufacturing members have the right to use this system, but their customers also have that right. From manufacturer through retailer / installer one part number is used as the standard and as a common language – the FMSI® number.

While the core focus remains on-highway vehicles in North America, the FMSI® system now enjoys widespread global adoption and covers a broad range of vehicle types. In July 2025, FMSI introduced a subscription service providing fee-based access to its electronic catalog and daily updates on new brake applications making it available to anyone on the planet.

Thanks to the cooperation of its members, the entire aftermarket benefits from these services at minimal shared cost.

FMSI®, FMS®, United By Brakes®, and Brake Weekend™ are registered trademarks of the Friction Materials Standards Institute.