IMDS
IMDS stands for International Material Data System and is the automotive industry’s material data system. It is used to record, in a structured manner, information on the materials used in components and their material composition, and to make this information available within the automotive supply chain.
The aim is to document the material composition of a vehicle in a traceable manner across the supply chain. The data recorded supports vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, amongst other things, in meeting legal and environmental requirements such as REACH and the requirements for end-of-life vehicles.
IMDS in the automotive industry
Numerous materials and substances are used in a vehicle. To ensure that their composition remains traceable, material information is recorded in a structured manner in the IMDS and passed on along the supply chain.
For a component, the materials used and their material composition are documented in accordance with the applicable IMDS rules. In the case of a cold-formed part, for example, this may relate not only to the base material but also to any applied coating or other components.
Suppliers make the relevant material data available to their customers via the IMDS. The data can then be incorporated into the material data of higher-level assemblies, until the material composition of the entire vehicle can ultimately be mapped.
In this way, IMDS creates end-to-end material documentation throughout the automotive supply chain and supports the assessment of materials as well as the compliance with statutory and customer-specific requirements.
IMDS: Questions and answers
-
What does IMDS stand for?
-
What is IMDS used for?
-
What information is recorded in IMDS?
-
What is an IMDS material data sheet?
-
Does MN Kaltformteile provide IMDS data for its components?