IMDS for Beginners
A Simple Guide to the International Material Data System
New to IMDS? This guide is your starting point. Whether you searched for "IMDS for dummies" or "IMDS for beginners", you'll find a plain-language explanation of what IMDS is, how it works, and when it makes sense to get expert help.
IMDS Meaning:
- The International Material Data System (IMDS) is the automotive industry’s shared database for material data. It records the materials and substances that go into vehicle parts, so carmakers and their suppliers all work from one common source.
- IMDS was originally built jointly by Audi, BMW, Daimler, DXC, Ford, Opel, Porsche, Volkswagen and Volvo. Other manufacturers have joined since, and it is now a global standard used by almost all major OEMs, with more carmakers in talks about participating.
- Inside the system, material data is entered, updated, analyzed and archived over time. This gives manufacturers, and the suppliers who report to them, a reliable record to show they meet the requirements set by national and international standards, laws and regulations.
What this means for suppliers
- If you supply parts to the automotive industry, your customer may ask you to report in IMDS as part of their supplier requirements. That starts with IMDS registration and then creating and submitting material data for your parts. Learn how the IMDS process works, or talk to an IMDS consultant who can handle the submissions for you.The End- of life Vehicles Directive.
Why IMDS Exists: The End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive
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IMDS was created in response to the European Union’s End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive (2000/53/EC) and Germany’s national End-of-Life Vehicles Ordinance, which was previously known as the End-of-Life Automobiles Ordinance.
The ELV Directive requires that vehicles be designed so they can be recycled to a very high degree. To make that possible, carmakers need to know exactly what every vehicle is made of. That responsibility passes down the whole supply chain, so suppliers at every tier must document the materials in the parts they provide.
The scale makes this a serious task. A single vehicle can contain a very large number of parts, and each one needs accurate material records. IMDS gives the industry one shared system to collect and archive that information, so ELV compliance and ELV reporting can be handled consistently.
The rules also change. Annex II of the ELV Directive, which covers restricted substances, is updated from time to time, so staying current takes ongoing attention.
Need help with ELV compliance? Our team supports automotive suppliers with ELV reporting, material data and IMDS submissions
COMPARISON
IMDS vs MSDS / SDS
It’s easy to mix up a Safety Data Sheet (SDS, formerly called MSDS) with an IMDS Material Data Sheet (MDS). They look similar on paper, but they serve different purposes. If your customer has asked for an IMDS submission and you only have SDS documents, those won’t be enough. The material declaration has to be created in IMDS itself
SDS / MSDS
Safety Data Sheet
- Explains the hazards of a chemical product and how to handle, store, and dispose of it safely. It is a standalone document, usually a PDF, and is used in many industries.
- The short version an SDS tells you how hazardous a substance is
IMDS
Material Data Sheet in IMDS
- Lists the full material composition of an automotive part, from its components down to its materials and substances. It is created and sent inside the IMDS system, and it is specific to the automotive supply chain.
- The short version
an IMDS submission tells your automotive customer what is inside your part.
How Do You Access IMDS?
You access IMDS through the official website, www.mdsystem.com. Before anyone can use it, your company needs to complete IMDS registration, https://public.mdsystem.com/en/web/imds-public-pages/comp-registration/. After that, each authorized user logs in with their own credentials, creates Material Data Sheets (MDS), and sends them to your customers.
Not sure how to get set up? Our team can check your registration status and handle the submissions for you.
IMDS Compliance Services from IMDS Experts
IMDS Experts is an IMDS consulting company that takes over your IMDS work, so your engineering and quality teams can stay focused on their core responsibilities. Our IMDS compliance services cover:
- Checking your IMDS registration status and setting up your company in the system
- Creating and submitting Material Data Sheets (MDS)
- Reviewing material compositions for accuracy
- Responding to your customers’ IMDS requests
- Fixing rejected IMDS submissions and resubmitting them
Benefits of delegating your IMDS work to us.
- Save time on IMDS data entry and submissions
- Reduce the administrative load on your engineering and compliance teams
- Get more accurate, consistent IMDS data
- Respond to customer requests faster
- Avoid common submission errors and rejections
Frequently Asked Questions
Which automakers require IMDS?
- Almost all major global automakers use IMDS. It was originally developed jointly by Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, Opel, Porsche, Volkswagen and Volvo, and many other manufacturers have joined since. Each automaker sets its own supplier requirements, so ask your customer whether they need IMDS data, and which OEM-specific rules apply, such as Ford’s RSMS
What is the End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive, and how does it relate to IMDS?
The End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive (2000/53/EC) is an EU law that requires vehicles to be designed so they can be recycled to a very high degree. To meet it, carmakers must know every material in their vehicles, so suppliers across the supply chain have to document what is in their parts. IMDS was created to collect and archive this data, which makes it a key tool for ELV compliance and ELV reporting. [Learn more about ELV compliance.]
Is IMDS the same as an MSDS?
- No. An MSDS (now called an SDS) describes the hazards of a chemical product and how to handle it safely. An IMDS Material Data Sheet (MDS) lists the full material composition of an automotive part and is created and sent inside the IMDS system. An SDS tells you how hazardous a substance is, while an IMDS submission tells your automotive customer what is inside your part.
[See the full IMDS vs. SDS comparison.]
Who needs IMDS? Do Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers both have to use it?
- Any company that supplies materials, components, or parts to the automotive industry may need IMDS, because carmakers must document everything in their vehicles. The requirement passes down the supply chain. Tier 1 suppliers report to the OEM, and Tier 2 and lower suppliers typically report to the customer above them, so both usually need IMDS. Your customer decides exactly what they require, so check with them first. [Learn more about IMDS for suppliers.]