HP Helps Fuel Environmental Responsibility

Jan 29, 2013 4:45 PM ET

HP's Data Central Blog

HP is company that has never run away from tough challenges. We believe in our technology solutions, our people and our commitment to social impact. That's why we are helping 34 of the world’s leading car manufacturers eliminate harmful substances from the automotive supply chain by hosting the International Material Data System (IMDS) for the next five years.

The IMDS is a shared service that helps the world’s leading automotive manufacturers and more than 100,000 companies in the vehicle supply chain meet regulations related to hazardous substances. By supplying more than 40 million data sheets that list the details of every substance involved in the manufacture of all components, the IMDS helps prevent the use of heavy metals -- such as cadmium, lead, mercury and hexavalent chromium -- and ensures that reportable substances are declared for recycling.

Under its contract, HP Enterprise Services will continue to develop, maintain and host the IMDS global data repository. We're proud of this commitment!

“Previously, OEMs all had their own lists of prohibited and reportable substances, which made it difficult to identify them in the supply chain,” said Matthew Griffin, representative, Jaguar Land Rover, and speaker, IMDS Steering Committee. “The IMDS provides a standardized format for exchanging material information throughout the manufacturing process, making it easier for the automotive industry to comply with legal requirements in a cost-efficient manner.”

The IMDS has been adopted as the global standard for reporting material content across the automotive industry. Automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) throughout the world have now joined original sponsors BMW, Daimler, Ford, Opel, Porsche, Volvo and VW. HP looks forward to helping these car manufacturers meet their commitment to recycle 95 percent of the mass of each vehicle sold by 2015.

“The automotive industry needs to meet constantly changing legislation and increase the amount of recycling from old cars,” said Oliver Bahns, worldwide director, Automotive and Aerospace, HP. “HP has worked closely with the industry for the past 12 years to ensure that the IMDS provides clear information concerning the materials used in all components of a vehicle through every stage of the supply chain.”

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