Ford to offer suppliers ISO-14001 training on Web

DEARBORN, Mich. (Feb. 16)—Ford Motor Co. has begun providing suppliers with Internet-based training for ISO-14001 certification. The standard is one of the most stringent environmental management standards under which independent auditors evaluate environmental processes and systems. The first portion of the program, "awareness training" is free. Following that, Ford said it will charge automotive suppliers "a nominal fee" for 12-month access to the online course which includes the content of classroom training and in-depth instruction on implementation. Ford is requiring that its suppliers have at least one manufacturing site ISO-14001 certified by the end of this year and all of their plants certified by July 1, 2003.