Eliminating Undesirable Materials

For more than 20 years, our Restricted Substance Management Standard has spelled out materials to be avoided or eliminated in Ford operations and in the parts and materials provided by suppliers. This and other materials management tools are helping us to meet and exceed customer expectations and ensure compliance with regulations.

Eliminating Mercury

Ford has decreased the use of mercury-containing components, which can pose problems at the end of a vehicle's life. In 2001, we eliminated mercury-containing switches, which accounted for more than 99 percent of the mercury used in our U.S. vehicles. Since that time, we have continued to focus on mercury reduction by working to eliminate this substance in the remaining mercury-containing components, including high-intensity discharge headlamps, navigation system screens and family entertainment system screens. Currently the Lincoln Navigator, Ford Mustang, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKZ have mercury-free high-intensity discharge headlamps. Ford vehicles with mercury-free navigation system screens including the Ford Flex, Econoline, Escape, Edge, Expedition, Explorer, Sport Trac, F-Series and Super Duty; the Mercury Mariner and Mountaineer; and the Lincoln MKS, MKX and Navigator. The 2010 model year Flex and Lincoln MKT have mercury-free headrest family entertainment system screens.

In addition, we have helped to forge a collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, states, auto dismantlers, auto scrap recyclers, steelmakers and environmental groups to recycle mercury switches from end-of-life vehicles. This effort was rolled out across the United States in 2007 and now has more than 7,500 participants joining the effort from the recycling industry. On February 29, 2008, the EPA and its partners celebrated the collection of the one-millionth mercury auto switch at an auto dismantler's site in Georgia. By the end of 2008, more than 2 tons of mercury from these switches had been recovered. An online database tracks the number of participants in the program as well as the number of switches collected by state.

Eliminating Chromium and Lead

Hexavalent chromium – "hex chrome" for short – is a corrosion coating (used, for example, on nuts, bolts and brackets in cars and trucks) that the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration lists as a potential lung carcinogen. We did not wait for global regulations banning the use of hex chrome to take effect – we phased out its use worldwide. By 2007, Ford eliminated all hexavalent chromium-containing parts in Europe and North America. Replacement coatings have been thoroughly tested to ensure that they meet Ford's performance requirements.

In North America, Ford also has completed the transition from lead to steel wheel weights on light-duty vehicles. We are also working on implementing steel weights on Ford's F-450, F-550 and F53 heavy-duty trucks. In addition, Ford's Customer Service Division no longer offers lead wheel weights for sale to dealers, but offers steel wheel weights in their stead.

Ford has joined the EPA and other stakeholders in a commitment to reduce the use of lead in wheel weights through participation in the National Lead-Free Wheel Weight Initiative. Through this initiative, Ford has shared our experience with lead wheel weight phase-out with aftermarket wheel balancers and encourages all stakeholders to discontinue the use of lead in wheel weights.

Ford of Europe phased out the use of lead wheel weights in new and serviced vehicles in mid-2005.