Need to submit material information to an automotive customer? Enviropass helps suppliers collect material composition data, review supplier submissions, and prepare information for the International Material Data System (IMDS).
Our support starts with your product structure, available documentation, and customer requirements. We help identify missing information and coordinate supplier follow-up so your material reporting is supported by traceable evidence.
IMDS stands for International Material Data System. It is an online platform used by the automotive supply chain to exchange information about the materials and substances contained in vehicle parts.
Suppliers report this information through Material Data Sheets (MDSs). These describe a product’s structure, materials, and constituent substances.
IMDS supports material disclosure and compliance assessments involving requirements such as the EU End-of-Life Vehicles Directive. The Global Automotive Declarable Substance List (GADSL) is also an important reference for automotive substance reporting.
An IMDS submission is not a compliance certificate. Its usefulness depends on the accuracy and completeness of the reported information, applicable reporting rules, and the customer’s requirements.
Looking for the system itself? Visit the official IMDS login and registration page.
Enviropass helps automotive suppliers organize the information needed for material reporting and resolve gaps in supplier documentation.
Support can include:
Reviewing your bill of materials and product structure.
Identifying available supplier MDSs and supporting material information.
Following up with suppliers for missing or incomplete data.
Checking consistency between part identification, reported masses, materials, and substance information.
Supporting MDS preparation and review against applicable IMDS recommendations and customer instructions.
Helping investigate customer feedback and requests for corrections.
Customer acceptance remains subject to the recipient’s review and applicable requirements.
A bill of materials is a starting point. It usually does not contain all the information needed to complete an IMDS submission.
Depending on the product and customer, supporting information may include:
Part numbers, descriptions, and revision identifiers.
Component and material masses.
Material specifications and composition data.
Supplier MDS identifiers and versions.
Relevant substance information and application details.
Your company’s IMDS identification and the intended recipient’s instructions.
We review the available evidence before defining the work required.
Identify the parts to report, the intended customer, submission requirements, and available documentation.
Gather existing MDSs and material data. Identify gaps, inconsistencies, and information requiring supplier clarification.
Help organize the material structure and check the submission against applicable IMDS recommendations and customer requirements.
Support the review of rejection comments or requests for clarification and coordinate corrections where needed.
Contact Enviropass to discuss your parts, documentation, and reporting deadline.
CAMDS refers to the China Automotive Materials Database System. It is a system developed by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) to manage and control materials used in the automotive industry. Automotive producers can demonstrate compliance using CAMDS in China.
Here are some of the main differences between CAMDS and IMDS:
1. Geographic Focus:
2. Regulatory Compliance:
3. Usage in the Automotive Supply Chain:
It’s important to note that regulations and systems can evolve, and new developments may have occurred. Therefore, we recommend checking with your Enviropass experts for the latest information on CAMDS, IMDS, and any changes in regulations related to automotive materials in China and globally.
IMDS stands for International Material Data System—an online platform used in the automotive industry as a global repository for material data to help suppliers and OEMs report and manage material composition.
IMDS was originally developed to support compliance with end-of-life vehicle requirements (notably the EU ELV Directive) and to help the supply chain report, evaluate, and archive parts/materials so vehicles can be treated and recycled more effectively.
Not always—IMDS reporting may be customer-driven (required by other companies in the automotive supply chain), even when it isn’t explicitly mandatory by law for every scenario.
A bill of materials is a starting point. Completing an IMDS submission may also require component and material masses, material composition data, supplier MDS identifiers, part revisions, and customer-specific reporting instructions. The information needed depends on the product structure and the applicable IMDS requirements.
The process commonly includes: (1) registering in IMDS, (2) building the product structure and creating datasheets, then (3) issuing/releasing the Product Material Datasheet to the recipient company.
CAMDS is the China Automotive Materials Database System, developed by CATARC, mainly for compliance and material data management in the Chinese market, while IMDS is used globally across the automotive supply chain.
Written and technically reviewed by: Aurélien “Aury” Hathout, M.Env., VEA®, CEA
Last technical review: October 26, 2026
This page was reviewed for technical accuracy concerning IMDS material reporting, supplier documentation, and customer-specific submission requirements, using official IMDS guidance.
Learn how Enviropass reviews technical content in our Editorial Policy.
Official IMDS — New to IMDS: Background, reporting guidance, IMDS recommendations, and information for new users.
Official IMDS — Help and Documentation: Access to the user manual, tutorials, FAQs, and customer-specific information.
Global Automotive Declarable Substance List (GADSL): Official automotive substance-declaration reference.
IMDS recommendations and customer-specific reporting instructions may change. Confirm the applicable requirements when preparing or updating a submission.
You may contact Enviropass for all your inquiries including CAMDS, IMDS, ELV, RoHS, and REACH-SCIP. We will be happy to assist you!