Overview
Hello, this is MDSKorea.
IMDS1) is scheduled to be updated to version 15.4.
We would like to inform you of changes that would be helpful to review in advance, including the maintenance of existing application codes.
1) An international standard system for reporting and managing substance and chemical information for automotive parts
Key Changes
1. Removal of the EUDR declaration function
The EUDR declaration function, which was introduced in the previous version 15.1, will be removed through this update.
EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation) is an environmental regulation that prevents products made from raw materials obtained through deforestation from being exported to Europe.
However, as the related laws and detailed requirements continue to change, the function has been removed based on feedback from automotive parts associations and the IMDS Steering Committee that it could instead cause confusion in actual work.
*The list of EUDR-related substances registered in the system will be maintained and will continue to be updated in line with regulatory standards.
2. Addition of application code validity period descriptions
*Existing application code description field
*Application code description field after the update
Reflecting ELV Annex II2), the validity period and expiration status will be added to the application code3) description field.
- Validity period: Applicable deadlines will be indicated, such as “vehicles that received type approval4) before January 1, 2019.”
- Expired items: Items whose use has already been prohibited will be marked as Expired.
*ELV: An EU regulation on end-of-life vehicles that restricts the use of hazardous substances in vehicles
2) A list in the ELV Regulation that specifies criteria for exceptionally permitted uses of hazardous substances such as lead and hexavalent chromium
3) An identification code selected when creating an MDS to receive an exception for a regulated substance
4) A procedure through which a vehicle model is officially certified as meeting national safety and environmental standards
3. Addition of application code threshold checks (lead content)
Starting from version 15.4, threshold checks have been added for the two application code items below.
The corresponding application code can be selected only when the lead content is at or below the threshold.
If it exceeds the threshold, the code will not appear in the selection list.
| IMDS ID | Application Code | Lead content threshold |
|---|
72 | 2(c)(ii) - Recycled aluminum alloys | Selectable only when unintentionally present at 0.4% or less |
3 | 3 - Copper alloys | Selectable only when at 4% or less |
*Note: Application codes can be selected only when the material is linked under a component (part).
3-1) Application Code 2(c)(ii): Unintentionally present lead content 0.4% or less
3-2) Application Code 3: Lead content 4% or less
*Note: Changes related to application codes will also be announced through the document linked in the IMDS FAQ.
4. MCCP substance group name change
The MCCP5) substance group name will be changed as follows.
This group may or may not be classified as SVHC6) depending on the input conditions, so the name was changed to distinguish it from substances that are always SVHC.
5) Medium Chain Chlorinated Paraffins. A substance group regulated as SVHC under certain conditions
6) Substances of Very High Concern. Substances subject to special management under the European REACH Regulation
5. MCCP substance group
5-1) Partial exclusion from the MCCP substance group
*The full list of excluded substances can be found in the original document under [Source Materials] below.
Substances that are always classified as SVHC will be excluded from the “Potentially MCCP containing substances” group.
5-2) Automatic conversion to SVHC
Regardless of previously entered regulatory information, all substances excluded this time will be collectively marked as SVHC.
5-3) Changes to existing data
MCCP regulatory information referencing the relevant substances will be marked as "incomplete".
6. Removal of copper-related warning for material classification 7.2 (ceramic/glass)
The system warning that occurred when material classification 7.2 contained 48% or more copper will be changed as follows.
Conclusion
We hope that reviewing the new changes in this IMDS 15.4 update in advance will be helpful for your work.
MDSKorea will continue striving to provide useful information. Thank you.
[Glossary]
| Term | Description |
|---|
IMDS | International Material Data System. An international standard system for reporting and managing substance and chemical information for automotive parts |
EUDR | EU Deforestation Regulation. A regulation requiring proof that raw materials were produced without deforestation or forest degradation |
ELV | End-of-Life Vehicles. An EU regulation on end-of-life vehicles that restricts the use of hazardous substances in vehicles. (Previously a directive, it was replaced and integrated into the new ELV Regulation in August 2026.) |
Annex II | A list in the ELV Regulation that specifies criteria for exceptionally permitted uses of hazardous substances such as lead and hexavalent chromium |
Application Code | An identification code selected when creating an MDS to receive an exception for a regulated substance |
Type approval | A procedure through which a vehicle model is officially certified as meeting national safety and environmental standards |
Hexavalent chromium | A regulated hazardous heavy metal used in surface treatment, corrosion prevention, and similar applications |
MCCP | Medium Chain Chlorinated Paraffins. A substance group regulated as SVHC under certain conditions |
SVHC | Substances of Very High Concern. Substances subject to special management under the European REACH Regulation |
[Source]
Overview
Hello, this is MDSKorea.
IMDS1) is scheduled to be updated to version 15.4.
We would like to inform you of changes that would be helpful to review in advance, including the maintenance of existing application codes.
1) An international standard system for reporting and managing substance and chemical information for automotive parts
Key Changes
1. Removal of the EUDR declaration function
The EUDR declaration function, which was introduced in the previous version 15.1, will be removed through this update.
EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation) is an environmental regulation that prevents products made from raw materials obtained through deforestation from being exported to Europe.
However, as the related laws and detailed requirements continue to change, the function has been removed based on feedback from automotive parts associations and the IMDS Steering Committee that it could instead cause confusion in actual work.
*The list of EUDR-related substances registered in the system will be maintained and will continue to be updated in line with regulatory standards.
2. Addition of application code validity period descriptions
Reflecting ELV Annex II2), the validity period and expiration status will be added to the application code3) description field.
*ELV: An EU regulation on end-of-life vehicles that restricts the use of hazardous substances in vehicles
2) A list in the ELV Regulation that specifies criteria for exceptionally permitted uses of hazardous substances such as lead and hexavalent chromium
3) An identification code selected when creating an MDS to receive an exception for a regulated substance
4) A procedure through which a vehicle model is officially certified as meeting national safety and environmental standards
3. Addition of application code threshold checks (lead content)
Starting from version 15.4, threshold checks have been added for the two application code items below.
The corresponding application code can be selected only when the lead content is at or below the threshold.
If it exceeds the threshold, the code will not appear in the selection list.
72
2(c)(ii) - Recycled aluminum alloys
Selectable only when unintentionally present at 0.4% or less
3
3 - Copper alloys
Selectable only when at 4% or less
*Note: Application codes can be selected only when the material is linked under a component (part).
3-1) Application Code 2(c)(ii): Unintentionally present lead content 0.4% or less
3-2) Application Code 3: Lead content 4% or less
*Note: Changes related to application codes will also be announced through the document linked in the IMDS FAQ.
4. MCCP substance group name change
The MCCP5) substance group name will be changed as follows.
Before: Medium Chain Chlorinated Paraffins
After: Potentially MCCP containing substances
This group may or may not be classified as SVHC6) depending on the input conditions, so the name was changed to distinguish it from substances that are always SVHC.
5) Medium Chain Chlorinated Paraffins. A substance group regulated as SVHC under certain conditions
6) Substances of Very High Concern. Substances subject to special management under the European REACH Regulation
5. MCCP substance group
5-1) Partial exclusion from the MCCP substance group
Substances that are always classified as SVHC will be excluded from the “Potentially MCCP containing substances” group.
5-2) Automatic conversion to SVHC
Regardless of previously entered regulatory information, all substances excluded this time will be collectively marked as SVHC.
5-3) Changes to existing data
MCCP regulatory information referencing the relevant substances will be marked as "incomplete".
6. Removal of copper-related warning for material classification 7.2 (ceramic/glass)
The system warning that occurred when material classification 7.2 contained 48% or more copper will be changed as follows.
Before: A warning stating that “material classification 7.2 is inappropriate” continued to occur.
After: The warning will no longer occur (material classification 7.2 can be used normally).
Conclusion
We hope that reviewing the new changes in this IMDS 15.4 update in advance will be helpful for your work.
MDSKorea will continue striving to provide useful information. Thank you.
[Glossary]
IMDS
International Material Data System.
An international standard system for reporting and managing substance and chemical information for automotive parts
EUDR
EU Deforestation Regulation.
A regulation requiring proof that raw materials were produced without deforestation or forest degradation
ELV
End-of-Life Vehicles.
An EU regulation on end-of-life vehicles that restricts the use of hazardous substances in vehicles. (Previously a directive, it was replaced and integrated into the new ELV Regulation in August 2026.)
Annex II
A list in the ELV Regulation that specifies criteria for exceptionally permitted uses of hazardous substances such as lead and hexavalent chromium
Application Code
An identification code selected when creating an MDS to receive an exception for a regulated substance
Type approval
A procedure through which a vehicle model is officially certified as meeting national safety and environmental standards
Hexavalent chromium
A regulated hazardous heavy metal used in surface treatment, corrosion prevention, and similar applications
MCCP
Medium Chain Chlorinated Paraffins.
A substance group regulated as SVHC under certain conditions
SVHC
Substances of Very High Concern.
Substances subject to special management under the European REACH Regulation
[Source]
Changes Release 15.4 (19-Aug-2026)
IMDS screens (image source)