Main Update – What’s New? Why It Matters?
IMDS 15.0 brings several key functional and regulatory enhancements:
- Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) Integration:
For the first time, users can enter PCF data on component or material level (e.g., kg CO₂e). Both Product Carbon Footprint and Transport Carbon Footprint are supported.
- Dynamic SVHC Flags:
Certain substances will no longer be statically defined as SVHCs but will be marked dynamically, depending on context – e.g., based on thresholds or incomplete declarations.
- New Regulation: MCCP (Medium-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins):
A new “MCCP” regulation is added to the Regulation Wizard. Missing information (e.g., hazard statements) will automatically trigger SVHC classification.
- “Rest” Value Range Handling:
The remaining percentage of materials (“Rest”) will now be calculated as a range when other substances are defined in ranges – improving Where-Used analyses.
- Granular User Rights:
Instead of only predefined roles (User, Admin), rights can now be assigned per function (e.g., Edit, Review, Manage Regulatory Data). Existing permissions remain valid.
- Mandatory Regulatory Data Validation:
Submissions will now trigger warnings or errors if required regulatory data is missing or incomplete – applicable for new MDS versions after the release.
Learn more about the new IMDS 15.0 features, their practical impact, and how to prepare your data: watch our webinar “IMDS 15 – What’s New and How to Stay Ahead”:
Product Carbon Footprint – Integrating Sustainability Data into IMDS
With IMDS 15.0, users can now record Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data directly within material and component records. This feature allows suppliers and OEMs to share quantified CO₂ emissions (e.g., kg CO₂e) linked to material content and manufacturing processes.
The integration of PCF data represents an important bridge between product compliance and sustainability reporting – helping manufacturers align with corporate decarbonization goals, Catena-X requirements, and future ESG reporting under CSRD and ESRS.
By embedding PCF fields into IMDS, companies can begin mapping carbon data across their supply chains without introducing separate reporting systems – a crucial step toward lifecycle-based compliance management.
Impact for Companies – What It Means for Manufacturers and Suppliers
For automotive and electronics manufacturers and suppliers, IMDS 15.0 will have broad operational and compliance implications:
- Prepare for PCF Reporting:
Establish internal processes for collecting CO₂ data (production, logistics). Lack of readiness may lead to reporting delays or incomplete supplier submissions.
- Improve Substance Data Quality:
Dynamic SVHC flags and MCCP logic increase the need for accurate classifications and complete regulatory attributes – otherwise, entries may be auto-flagged or rejected.
- Review Existing MDS Data:
Companies should review current material data sheets for “Rest” definitions, MCCP content, and PCF-related updates.
- Adapt User and Role Management:
Verify and adjust IMDS user roles to align with the new granular permission model (editing, approval, regulatory data management).
- Reduce Compliance Risks:
The enhanced validation logic helps ensure data consistency and reduce regulatory risks – but only if companies maintain data accuracy.
- OEM Expectations:
OEMs are expected to include PCF and new compliance requirements in their IMDS supplier specifications soon. Early supplier alignment is recommended.
IMDS 15.0 & IPOINT Product Sustainability
The IMDS 15.0 release marks a significant step toward integrating material compliance and carbon transparency.
IPOINT offers solutions that connect IMDS with Product Carbon Footprint management and sustainability reporting tools – helping companies comply with the new IMDS requirements and streamline supplier communication.
Seamless PCF data integration aligned with Catena-X PCF Rulebook
Centralized management of roles and regulatory data
Unified visibility of material, carbon, and sustainability information
