• Ford is the first automaker to join the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition – a nonprofit organization of leading electronics companies dedicated to improving social, environmental and ethical conditions in their global supply chains
• Joining the coalition strengthens Ford’s commitment to further improve social and environmental conditions throughout its global supply chain
• An automotive leader in technology and innovation – and for six years in a row, an Ethisphere Institute World’s Most Ethical Company^® – Ford’s experience in corporate social responsibility in its supply chain will benefit coalition members 

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 24, 2016 – Ford Motor Company is proud to be the first automaker to join the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition – a nonprofit group of leading electronics companies dedicated to improving the social, environmental and ethical conditions of their global supply chains.

Joining the coalition strengthens Ford’s commitment to respect human rights and improve basic working conditions at its global supplier facilities. It enables Ford to further the promise in its corporate responsibility policy that guides the company’s code of human rights, basic working conditions and corporate responsibility, and to hold its suppliers accountable for meeting those standards.

“At Ford, we have a commitment to conducting business responsibly in an ethical and transparent manner,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford group vice president, global purchasing. “Working with the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition and other industry leaders enables us to further improve the way we work together with our suppliers to address sustainability-related issues such as human rights, working conditions and environmental responsibility.”

Full membership requires Ford to identify its own high-risk facilities as well as supplier facilities, and to conduct audits on at least 25 percent of those. Ford agrees to actively support the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition and the goals of the organization’s code of conduct in its own operations – progressively implementing the coalition’s approach and tools in the spirit of common industry goals.

“We are excited to have Ford as a full member of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition,” said Rob Lederer, the organization’s executive director. “Ford is our first automotive company member, and we are looking forward to collaborating and building on its unique global experiences and supplier relationships, as well as the growing convergence between the automotive and electronics industries.”

Along with fellow members, suppliers and stakeholders, Ford will collaborate with the coalition to improve working and environmental conditions by adhering to leading standards and practices. Operating on a global scale, the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition is recognized as a sustainability leader by industry and cross-industry organizations, and by nongovernmental organizations and governments alike.

“Since 2003, Ford has been training and auditing suppliers on our expectations for human rights, working conditions, business ethics and the environment,” said Mary Wroten, senior manager, Ford global purchasing supply chain sustainability. “Joining the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition will enable Ford to share our automotive experiences, collaborate with industry leaders, and utilize the coalition’s common tools, such as its validated audit process.” 

The organization is comprised of more than 110 electronics companies representing 17 sectors. As the first automaker member, Ford joins a coalition made up of about 15 percent of its own suppliers.

As the company continues to invest in its Ford Smart Mobility plan and new technologies to become a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics, joining the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition is a natural progression.