Das Internationale MaterialDatenSystem (IMDS)
According to the new EU End-of-life Vehicle (ELV) Directive (2000/53/EC) vehicles need to be almost 100 percent recyclable. Therefore the material composition of a vehicle has to be documented. That implies a precise doumentation of nearly 10.000 components per model.
The ELV envisions the recycling of nearly 95 percent of the weight of end-of-life vehicles until the 1 January 2015. To ensure the implementation automotive manufacturers and suppliers need to document their material data in a traceable and distinct manner.
The voluntary commitment of the automotive manufacturers to comply with the ELV by using a standardized system initiated the development of the International MaterialDataSystem (IMDS). The IMDS is a joint cooperation of the companies Audi, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Opel, Porsche, VW and Volvo. Recently more automotive manufactureres like Fiat, Hyundai, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault, Suzuki and Toyota have joined the team. Negotiations with other companies keep still going on.
The material database built by the automotive manufacturers will make the recycling of end-of-life vehicles easier. The internet-based system IMDS offers the possibility to gather all data of components necessary for recycling in the form of material data sheets. IMDS enables to easily enter, display and pass on material data over the entire supply chain.
HP and imds professional
In 1999 HP developed the IMDS on behalf of the automotive manufacturers. HP assures the maintenance of the system and oversees the enhancement. (You may find further information on the official IMDS website mdsystem.com.)
imds professional is the authorised IMDS training partner of HP in Europe. Since the introduction of the International MaterialDataSystem in 2000 imds professional is conducting IMDS trainings as the authorised partner of HP.
World-wide implementation of IMDS
Currently more than 141.000 users in over 71.800 companies are registered and produce an output of more than 25 million material data sheets (as of 2008).
The internet-based system IMDS offers the possibility to gather all data of components necessary for recycling in the form of material data sheets. Thus affiliated companies and their supplying partners have information about all employed components at their full disposal, so that legal requirements concerning environmental responsibilty and recycling can be met.
The IMDS enables a complete documentation, administration and filing of all employed materials over the entire supply chain. So automotive manufacturers and their suppliers may meet national and international rules, laws and ordinances. The IMDS has already become a world-wide standard in the automotive industry.