The International Material Data System (IMDS) plays a vital role in the automotive industry by ensuring transparent material reporting across the supply chain. With the launch of IMDS Release 15.0 and Recommendation 027, reporting the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) for automobile parts has become more streamlined. This update aligns closely with the Catena-X PCF Rulebook, ensuring that all supply chain partners follow a standardized approach and speak the same compliance language.
Until now, PCF reporting lacked uniformity, making it difficult for suppliers and OEMs to ensure accurate, comparable, and transparent data across the supply chain. With sustainability and emissions reduction becoming top priorities for the automotive sector, inconsistent approaches to PCF calculation and reporting often led to confusion, inefficiencies, and compliance risks.
IMDS Release 15.0 addresses these challenges by introducing structured PCF reporting that integrates seamlessly with existing Material Data Sheets (MDS). Key updates include:
- Customer-driven reporting: PCF needs to be reported in IMDS only when requested by customers, ensuring relevance and efficiency.
- Standardized calculation methods: All PCF calculations must conform to the Catena-X PCF Manual (Edition 3, 2024) or another industry-accepted standard. For auto parts, only the Catena-X manual is valid.
- Version tracking: PCF records now come with dedicated version control, requiring annual reviews or updates whenever there’s a significant change (≥5%).
- Enhanced reporting fields: IMDS now requires additional details, such as production site, PCF values (with and without biogenic material), rulebook reference, validation status, timing, and data quality ratings.
- Controlled visibility: By default, only direct customers can view the submitted PCF data.
The introduction of PCF reporting in IMDS brings multiple advantages for the automotive supply chain:
- Simplification: Uploading PCF data directly into IMDS makes reporting easier without disrupting traditional workflows.
- Standardization: Alignment with the Catena-X PCF Rulebook ensures consistency and comparability of carbon footprint data across the industry.
- Transparency & Trust: Suppliers and OEMs can build stronger customer relationships by providing accurate, validated, and transparent carbon footprint data.
- Sustainability focus: By making carbon footprint reporting an integrated process, the automotive sector can take a meaningful step toward reducing emissions and achieving climate goals.
IMDS Release 15.0 marks a significant milestone in sustainability reporting by setting clear rules for PCF data submission. For automotive companies, this is the right time to ensure PCF data is accurate, compliant, and aligned with industry standards. Partnering with ComplianceXL can help organizations seamlessly adapt to these changes, maintain regulatory compliance, and lead the way in sustainable automotive supply chain practices.
