Major objectives of automotive product development include continuous improvements in
quality, safety, and the reduction of environmental impact throughout vehicle the life cycle. As
much as possible, these objectives should be achieved in an efficient, cost effective way to
optimize consumer value. A large number of construction, operational and processing materials
are used in the automotive manufacturing chain, and their selection and proper use can have
significant impact on these objectives.
To meet these objectives, an ongoing dialogue and information flow within the global
automotive supply chain, including automobile manufacturers, tier suppliers and material
suppliers, has been established, called the Global Automotive Stakeholder Group (GASG).
Early information and dialogue up and down the supply chain will help facilitate compliance
with current and future regulations, as well as take into account customer requirements to ensure
sustainable products. Optimized handling of relevant information flow can help automobile
manufacturers meet existing and projected requirements in a consistent, understandable and
efficient way.
The GASG organization consists of three regions, Americas, Europe/Africa/Middle East, and
Asia/Pacific. Regional membership and participation is open to all stakeholders in the
automotive supply chain. Each of the three regions nominates six members to sit on the
governing body of the GASG, called the Steering Committee (SC). The SC meets annually or
more at its prerogative to decide on the GADSL and to provide a transparent and open process
for decision making.
The product of the GASG dialogue is the Global Automotive Declarable Substance List
(GADSL). The GADSL covers declaration of certain information about substances relevant to
parts and materials supplied by the supply chain to automobile manufacturers. The information is
applicable to the use of these parts or materials in the production of a vehicle up to its usage and
relevant to the vehicle’s re-use or waste disposal.
The intent of GADSL is to become the company specific list for declaration of parts composition
within the automotive industry. It provides a definitive list of substances requiring declaration with
the target to minimize individual requirements and ensure cost-effective management of
declaration practice along the complex supply chain. The scope is to cover declarable substances
in the flow of information relevant to parts and materials supplied throughout the automotive value
chain, from production to the end of life phase. The GADSL only covers substances that are
expected to be present in a material or part that remains in the vehicle or part at point of
sale.
This approach is a voluntary industry initiative designed to ensure integrated, responsible and
sustainable product development by automobile manufacturers and their supply chain. Its
purpose is to minimize individual requirements and ensure cost-effective management of
declaration practice along the large and complex global supply chain.