Greetings from MDSKorea.
It is a common misconception that substances classified as "Prohibited (P)" in GADSL are absolutely forbidden from being used under any circumstances.
We would like to clarify the exact meaning of Prohibited (P) substances and how to manage them, as this can often be somewhat confusing.
Overview
GADSL is a 'Declarable Substance List' collaboratively created by the automotive industry. It is designed to transparently share information across the supply chain regarding what substances and how much of them are contained in automotive parts and materials. The list is updated annually.
Each substance on the list is assigned one of the following three classifications:
D (Declarable): Substances that are expected to be declared if they exceed a certain threshold.
P (Prohibited): Substances that are prohibited in specific regions or for specific applications, or those that should not exceed a designated limit.
D/P (Declarable/Prohibited): Substances that may be either declarable or prohibited depending on their application and region.
Key Points
Q1. Are substances classified as Prohibited (P) absolutely forbidden to use?
No, they are not. The Prohibited (P) classification does not mean a blanket ban in all situations; rather, it indicates a prohibition depending on specific circumstances. This generally falls into two categories:
When use is prohibited only in certain regions or for specific applications.
When use is prohibited only if it exceeds a designated threshold (usage is permitted if the concentration remains within the limit).
In other words, a Prohibited (P) classification does not necessarily mean the part requires replacement. It is advisable to first verify which region your product is being shipped to, the specific application it is used for, and whether the substance concentration exceeds the threshold.
Q2. How do we determine how much content is considered an issue?
Each substance has a designated threshold (typically 0.1% unless otherwise specified).
*Please note that this threshold should be calculated based on the proportion within the homogeneous material, not the entire component. If it exceeds this standard, it becomes a Declarable (D) subject.
Additionally, even if a substance is not subject to GADSL declaration, we recommend separately checking the threshold limits of individual regulations such as ELV, REACH, and RoHS. Please keep in mind that passing GADSL does not automatically guarantee compliance with all legal regulations.
Q3. What exactly does it mean to "declare" (D)?
Here, declaring (D) means registering the substance name and its concentration into the IMDS¹⁾. The core purpose of this declaration is to leave a reliable data trail so that higher-tier customers can transparently view the material information across the entire supply chain.
1) A system for registering automotive material information
Q4. What should we check if our component contains a Prohibited (P) substance?
You can verify the following three factors:
Whether the application is prohibited in the region where the product is being delivered.
Whether the specific use case falls within the allowable scope.
Whether the concentration exceeds the threshold.
Depending on these conditions, the required action will lead to either 1)registering in IMDS and continuing use or 2)replacing the part. If your component contains a Prohibited (P) substance, reviewing the individual conditions above is the most accurate way to respond.
Conclusion
In summary, whether a GADSL Prohibited (P) substance is restricted from use depends on the delivery region, application, and concentration.
Therefore, if a Prohibited (P) substance is included, it is highly recommended to carefully check each condition first and accurately register it in IMDS.
MDSKorea will continue to strive to provide you with useful and accurate information. Thank you.
[Glossary]
| Term | Description |
|---|
| GADSL | A 'Declarable Substance List' collaboratively created by the automotive industry |
| D (Declarable) | Substances that must be declared (registered) if they exceed a certain threshold |
| P (Prohibited) | Substances that are prohibited in specific regions/applications, or those that must not exceed a designated limit |
| D/P | Substances that may be either declarable or prohibited depending on their application and region |
| Threshold | The standard ratio determining declaration or prohibition (typically 0.1% unless otherwise specified) |
| IMDS | A system for registering automotive material information |
[References & Links]
Greetings from MDSKorea.
It is a common misconception that substances classified as "Prohibited (P)" in GADSL are absolutely forbidden from being used under any circumstances.
We would like to clarify the exact meaning of Prohibited (P) substances and how to manage them, as this can often be somewhat confusing.
Overview
GADSL is a 'Declarable Substance List' collaboratively created by the automotive industry. It is designed to transparently share information across the supply chain regarding what substances and how much of them are contained in automotive parts and materials. The list is updated annually.
Each substance on the list is assigned one of the following three classifications:
D (Declarable): Substances that are expected to be declared if they exceed a certain threshold.
P (Prohibited): Substances that are prohibited in specific regions or for specific applications, or those that should not exceed a designated limit.
D/P (Declarable/Prohibited): Substances that may be either declarable or prohibited depending on their application and region.
Key Points
Q1. Are substances classified as Prohibited (P) absolutely forbidden to use?
No, they are not. The Prohibited (P) classification does not mean a blanket ban in all situations; rather, it indicates a prohibition depending on specific circumstances. This generally falls into two categories:
When use is prohibited only in certain regions or for specific applications.
When use is prohibited only if it exceeds a designated threshold (usage is permitted if the concentration remains within the limit).
In other words, a Prohibited (P) classification does not necessarily mean the part requires replacement. It is advisable to first verify which region your product is being shipped to, the specific application it is used for, and whether the substance concentration exceeds the threshold.
Q2. How do we determine how much content is considered an issue?
Each substance has a designated threshold (typically 0.1% unless otherwise specified).
*Please note that this threshold should be calculated based on the proportion within the homogeneous material, not the entire component. If it exceeds this standard, it becomes a Declarable (D) subject.
Additionally, even if a substance is not subject to GADSL declaration, we recommend separately checking the threshold limits of individual regulations such as ELV, REACH, and RoHS. Please keep in mind that passing GADSL does not automatically guarantee compliance with all legal regulations.
Q3. What exactly does it mean to "declare" (D)?
Here, declaring (D) means registering the substance name and its concentration into the IMDS¹⁾. The core purpose of this declaration is to leave a reliable data trail so that higher-tier customers can transparently view the material information across the entire supply chain.
1) A system for registering automotive material information
Q4. What should we check if our component contains a Prohibited (P) substance?
You can verify the following three factors:
Whether the application is prohibited in the region where the product is being delivered.
Whether the specific use case falls within the allowable scope.
Whether the concentration exceeds the threshold.
Depending on these conditions, the required action will lead to either 1)registering in IMDS and continuing use or 2)replacing the part. If your component contains a Prohibited (P) substance, reviewing the individual conditions above is the most accurate way to respond.
Conclusion
In summary, whether a GADSL Prohibited (P) substance is restricted from use depends on the delivery region, application, and concentration.
Therefore, if a Prohibited (P) substance is included, it is highly recommended to carefully check each condition first and accurately register it in IMDS.
MDSKorea will continue to strive to provide you with useful and accurate information. Thank you.
[Glossary]
[References & Links]
GADSL Official Website & Guidance Document (Revised March 2026)
IMDS - GADSL Information Page