IMDS MDS Submission Tracker Worksheet
The International Material Data System, known as IMDS, is the database most automotive customers use to collect the material composition of purchased parts. This tracker keeps a clear list of what you must submit and what you are waiting on.
| Part number | Direction | Customer / supplier | Status | MDS version | Due date | Owner | Comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This tracker supports your own follow-up. It does not replace the IMDS system itself. Sort or filter by status after exporting to Excel to build the weekly chase list. Submission rules, such as the required IMDS recipient and any customer-specific reporting thresholds, come from the customer.
Prepare IMDS data from your ERP
An optional review of extracting item, weight and supplier data from your ERP to speed up material data sheet work.
Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.
How to use the tracker
Add a row for every part where a material data sheet is owed in either direction. For outgoing sheets note the customer, the version and the due date. For incoming sheets track the supplier and the status of their submission. Update the status column weekly and use the comment column for the reason when a sheet is rejected. Export to Excel to sort by due date or by status.
Why submissions get rejected
Rejections are usually caused by a handful of repeat problems. Check these before you send.
- Component weights that do not match the drawing or sample weight
- Missing or incorrect substances of concern such as those on the GADSL list
- Wrong recipient or customer identification number
- A sub-supplier MDS that is not yet accepted
- A new version submitted when only a comment was needed
Linking IMDS to PPAP
Many customers require the IMDS acceptance as part of the PPAP package, and an unaccepted sheet can block approval. Add the tracker due dates to your APQP timing plan so that sub-supplier requests go out early. Material data from raw material suppliers usually takes the longest to obtain.
ERP and data tips
Keep the IMDS identifiers and acceptance dates as attributes on the item master or a custom document link in your ERP so they are available at engineering change time. When a bill of material changes, check whether a new MDS version is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IMDS?
IMDS is the International Material Data System, a database used by automotive manufacturers and suppliers to report material composition of parts. It supports compliance with end-of-life vehicle and substance reporting requirements.
Does this tracker connect to IMDS?
No. It is a standalone worksheet that runs in your browser and exports to Excel, PDF or CSV. Submissions themselves are made in the IMDS system.
Who must submit a material data sheet?
Typically each supplier in the chain submits to its customer, so a tier 1 collects sheets from tier 2 suppliers and then submits its own. Your customer requirements define the exact scope.
How often should I update the tracker?
Weekly is a good rhythm during PPAP and program launch, and monthly during steady production. Update it immediately after any engineering change that affects materials.
If you want item, BOM and supplier data from your ERP prepared for IMDS requests, Netray can build a read-only extract. The tracker itself is free and standalone.
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