Automakers require EMS ISO 14000

AUTO MAKERS REQUIRING ISO 14001 FROM SUPPLIERS

The automobile industry sector OEMs are requiring ISO 14001 implementation and registration from suppliers. This affects thousands of suppliers with manufacturing and servicing facilities. For the specific dates to which your organization must abide, for registration / implementation, contact your OEM purchasing liaison function.

Case in point:

Ford Motor Company is requiring ISO 14001 3^rd Party certification from suppliers with manufacturing facilities by July 1, 2003 - Yet evidence of progress is required by year end 2001.

GM requires conforming to ISO 14001 requirements by year end 2002...

Daimler-Benz (Mercedes Benz) had an ongoing environmental initiatives for over a decade, while manufacturers like Ford are requiring third party registration. GM "strongly prefers" third party registration but acceptance through and internal audit protocol is acceptable, and a declaration by the organizations responsible executive - confirm with your organizations GM Purchasing liaison. We can refer to Ford as the first US auto maker requiring ISO 14001 from their supplier base.

While Toyota leaded, in December 1999 Ford announced registration of their manufacturing plants thus the first to certify its plants around the world under ISO 14001 EMS Scheme -- 140+ manufacturing facilities in 26 countries.

"This requirement reinforces Ford's commitment to the environment," said Carlos Mazzorin, Group Vice President of Purchasing and Ford of Mexico. "We have extended that commitment to thousands of other companies -- exponentially increasing the benefits of this rigorous environmental certification."

Further, DaimlerChrysler, BMW, VW, Renault-Nissan and other auto makers require demonstrating environmental responsibility (through ISO 14001 EMS) and registration. By 1998, Toyota certified its manufacturing plants to ISO 14001. If you supply to Toyota, would it be feasible ISO 14001 certification? Indeed, you must implement and certify ISO 14001. Renault is requiring certification-registration by 2004.

Registration & Implementation Specifics

Ford is requiring suppliers to certify at least one manufacturing site to ISO 14001 by the end of 2001 and all manufacturing sites shipping products to Ford by July 1, 2003.

Likewise GM requires implementation and demonstrate that has effectively being completed through internal/external auditing -- (BULLTEK LTD though its GlobalNet has provided "Grandfathering" letters to organizations worldwide as the effectively demonstrate that the EMS or QMS has been implemented).

Recommended Registrars for the ISO 14001 IATF recognized registrar for the automotive sector:

Intertek

BRS

AWM

Support and EMS Induction

To assist suppliers meet the EMS ISO 14001 implementation and registration goals, Ford, GM and others continue offering ISO 14001 Awareness Training. Ford is exploring tools with availability to suppliers to benefit from Ford's experience in achieving ISO 14001 certification at plants through the EQO (Environmental Quality Office).

Ford decided to require ISO 14001 certification of its suppliers, after environmentally evaluating their top suppliers. Several suppliers indicated that some of their manufacturing facilities were already registered to ISO 14001. The majority of the suppliers said they planned to register their plants to ISO 14001 within approximately the required time windows.

Some OEM auto makers are also leading environmental efforts with suppliers. E.g., in working with the fabric suppliers in exploring the use of eco-effective fabrics for future vehicles.

Recycling has been an ongoing project for auto makers (e.g. Ford, GM, DaimlerChrysler, VW, BMW), and continue working through programs and teams in search of increasing the amount of recycled materials and the number of recycled components on vehicles going to the market - Daimler-Benz has an aggressive program to build cars from recycled materials.

The Automobile Manufacturing
Industry requires ISO 14000