IMDS - the International Material Data System, is a product of HP Enterprise Services, a division of Hewlett-Packard Co..
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The International Material Data System (IMDS) is a collective, computer-based material data system used primarily by automotive OEMs to manage environmentally relevant aspects of the different parts used in vehicles. It has been adopted as the global standard for reporting material content in the automotive industry.
The adoption of the IMDS relies above all on a legislative background such as:
The IMDS was originally developed in response to the European ELV directive and is the result of a collaborative effort involving 7 OEMs, namely Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, Opel, Porsche, VW and Volvo. Since its establishment, OEMs throughout the world have joined the sponsor's group supporting the system.
The starting point of the system are the black and gray lists of prohibited and declarable substances. These substances, when used in materials and components for the automotive industry, are of concern to human health, environmental safety and recycling. Prohibited substances, like hexavalent chromium, are forbidden due to legal or internal regulations. Declarable substances should not be construed to mean that the substance is prohibited from being used in a vehicle part, or is to be de-selected from use but that there is a requirement to know that the substance is in the part.
In the early days, most OEMs had their own list of prohibited and declarable substances which made it a challenge for suppliers far down the supply chain to report as they didn't know where their product would appear. The OEMs responded to the concern of the suppliers by harmonizing their requirements into one list, the Global Automotive Declarable Substance List (GADSL). Some OEMs still have their own lists and most of the OEMs accepting the GADSL still have complementary requirements. Because of ongoing research and lawmaking, these lists are subject to change.
Because it is a computer-based system, IMDS recognizes hazardous substances by comparing the entered data with the lists of prohibited substances. Hence OEMs can trace hazardous substances back to the part and work on eliminating them through the supply chain.
All substances have to be stated in the material data sheet (MDS) of the IMDS with a resolution of 1 gram or better - not just the declarable and prohibited substances (Cr VI / Hg /...). That is why substances and materials of products must be known in detail. Material information on parts is later delivered from the OEMs to dismantler companies in order to achieve the goals of the ELV Directive.
The IMDS system is easily accessed through the internet. The basic browser version of the system is supported by the OEM sponsor's group although larger organizations will want and need to purchase additional services.