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The next IMDS version is not just an upgrade, it’s a paradigm shift. IMDS 15 will introduce Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) tracking, transforming how suppliers manage material data, emissions, and compliance. And if you're still treating carbon reporting as a CSR checkbox, you're about to be sidelined.
Let’s break it down.
What Is IMDS 15 and Why Should You Care?
IMDS 15 is the upcoming version of the International Material Data System, and its biggest headline is this: Carbon will be counted, traced, and required.
The push comes from increasing pressure under:
- The EU Green Deal
- Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
- New rules under the EU Battery Regulation (for PCF declaration)
- And the broader shift toward Scope 3 emissions transparency in global supply chains.
Automakers are under fire to meet net-zero targets. That pressure is now cascading down to suppliers, and IMDS is the chosen vehicle.
What’s Changing in IMDS 15?
Here’s what you can expect in the IMDS 15 rollout:
Why Does PCF in IMDS Matter?
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OEMs are demanding it. Audi, BMW, and VW have already started PCF pilot programs with upstream suppliers. If you’re not ready to deliver emissions data, you’re out of spec.
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PCF will become a quality metric. Cost, weight, recyclability, now add carbon footprint to the RfQ checklist.
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Non-compliance = lost business. Suppliers unable to generate product-level PCF reports will be disqualified in future sourcing processes.
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Regulations are not optional. The EU Battery Regulation already mandates PCF disclosures for battery packs. More categories are coming under similar requirements.
How Will PCF Be Reported in IMDS?
This won’t be a manual Excel dump. IMDS 15 is expected to follow a structured carbon reporting flow:
- Upstream supplier provides cradle-to-gate PCF (kg CO₂e) for each material
- Component supplier integrates all PCF values into the full BOM tree
- IMDS entry includes total product PCF, plus data traceability back to source
- System auto-validates PCF thresholds and flags anomalies
PCF fields will not replace existing material or substance declarations. They will complement them, adding emissions data next to weight, recyclability, and RoHS/GADSL compliance.
Preparing Your Organization for IMDS 15
Here’s how to get ahead before the mandate lands:
- Train your engineering and compliance teams on PCF methodology (ISO 14067)
- Engage Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers to begin carbon data collection
- Update your internal MDS templates to include PCF fields
- Audit BOMs with known carbon hotspots (e.g., aluminum, steel, rare earths)
- Start using PCF calculation tools that integrate with IMDS or PLM systems
You don’t need to wait for IMDS 15 to start tracking carbon. Early movers are already reducing PCF through design-for-sustainability and material substitution strategies.
How Acquis Helps You Stay Ready for IMDS 15
At Acquis, we’re already helping manufacturers get ahead of the curve:
- PCF-ready data templates for supplier engagement
- Automated rollups of emissions across the full BOM structure
- Threshold alerts and GADSL/ELV/REACH co-validation
- Seamless data export to IMDS & CAMDS
- Audit-ready documentation for regulatory inspections
Whether you're a Tier 1 looking to streamline reporting or a Tier 3 needing help with PCF methodology, we’ve got your back.