The IMDS Steering Committee recently published a new guideline to help “prepare or optimize the processes and procedures used by companies for chemical product compliance.” This replaces the previous version 1.2 from 2007 and you can download it here (in English). The aim is to further increase the data quality in the IMDS and to minimize the risk related to chemical substances for the OEM.

Currently, a questionnaire is also being developed to “evaluate supplier processes and assess the data integrity of IMDS requests sent to OEMs”. The results are to be incorporated into supplier training sessions.

The following recommendations can be found in the guidelines:

• Each company should have a documented policy for chemical management in the end product (using GADSL customer-specific requirements).
• Each company should use existing quality processes.
• Each company should incorporate its chemical substance management system into its design and development processes.
• Each company should incorporate quality control/quality assurance for chemical substance management into its products.
• Each company should have a documented procedure for communicating part and material changes to customers.
• Each company should have an established organization chart for managing chemical substances in products.
• There should be defined roles and responsibilities for managing chemical substances in products.

In addition, IMDS personnel should have the following qualifications:

• Training/experience in BOM/substance list.
• Training/experience in the area of chemicals/substances (Substance of Concern)
• Training/experience in the area of law/product conformity
• Training in IMDS by a recognized IMDS training partner.
• At least 3 years of experience with IMDS
• Technical university degree or certificate

You or your employees need appropriate training? Here you will find the upcoming training dates.

You cannot or do not want to do the numerous tasks around IMDS yourself? Then you can rely on our know-how and trustfully place all tasks in our hands. Simply make an appointment for a free initial consultation.