Inquire: Call 0086-755-23203480, or reach out via the form below/your sales contact to discuss our design, manufacturing, and assembly capabilities.
Quote: Email your PCB files to Sales@pcbsync.com (Preferred for large files) or submit online. We will contact you promptly. Please ensure your email is correct.
Notes: For PCB fabrication, we require PCB design file in Gerber RS-274X format (most preferred), *.PCB/DDB (Protel, inform your program version) format or *.BRD (Eagle) format. For PCB assembly, we require PCB design file in above mentioned format, drilling file and BOM. Click to download BOM template To avoid file missing, please include all files into one folder and compress it into .zip or .rar format.
IPC-1751 Explained: Generic Requirements Standard for Supply Chain Declarations
If you’ve ever worked with IPC-1752 material declarations, you’ve used IPC-1751 whether you realized it or not. Every time you submit or receive an XML declaration file for RoHS compliance, REACH reporting, or conflict minerals disclosure, the IPC-1751 framework is working behind the scenes.
I spent years managing compliance data before I truly understood how IPC-1751 fits into the picture. Most engineers focus on IPC-1752 because that’s where the material content data lives. But IPC-1751 is the foundation that makes all those declarations work. Without it, the entire IPC-175x family of standards would fall apart.
This guide explains what IPC-1751 does, how it relates to other declaration standards, and why understanding it matters for anyone managing supply chain compliance data.
IPC-1751, officially titled “Generic Requirements for Declaration Process Management,” is the foundational standard that establishes the framework for all supplier declarations in the electronics industry. The current version is IPC-1751A with Amendment 1, released in November 2012.
Think of IPC-1751 as the envelope that contains all your supply chain declaration letters. It defines who is sending the declaration, who is receiving it, what product it applies to, and the legal framework around the exchange. The actual content of those declarations – material compositions, conflict minerals sources, laboratory test results – comes from the sectional standards that build on top of IPC-1751.
IPC-1751 Key Details
Information
Full Title
Generic Requirements for Declaration Process Management
Current Version
IPC-1751A with Amendment 1
Amendment Release
November 2012
Format
XML schema-based electronic data exchange
Status
Mandatory for all IPC-175x declarations
Developed By
IPC E-31 Subcommittee (formerly 2-18)
The Purpose of IPC-1751
The standard’s stated purpose is clear: to establish a methodology for product or business attribute declarations between suppliers and their customers. The key phrase here is “without the necessity of human intervention.” IPC-1751 creates a standardized structure that allows declaration data to flow electronically through the entire supply chain.
Before IPC-1751, every company used different formats for material declarations. Customers sent custom questionnaires. Suppliers responded with proprietary spreadsheets. Data had to be manually re-entered at every step. The result was errors, delays, and enormous compliance costs.
IPC-1751 solved this by defining a common data structure that any software system can read and write. When a supplier generates an IPC-1752 material declaration, it automatically includes IPC-1751 data. When your compliance software receives that declaration, it knows exactly where to find the supplier information, product details, and legal statements.
The IPC-175x Family of Standards
IPC-1751 is the first in a family of supplier declaration standards. Each sectional standard addresses a specific type of declaration, but they all require IPC-1751 as their foundation.
Complete IPC-175x Standards Overview
Standard
Title
Purpose
IPC-1751
Generic Requirements
Foundation framework (MANDATORY)
IPC-1752
Materials Declaration
RoHS, REACH, substance content
IPC-1753
Laboratory Report
Analytical test results
IPC-1754
Aerospace & Defense Materials
Deep supply chain substance data
IPC-1755
Conflict Minerals
3TG sourcing declarations
IPC-1756
Manufacturing Process
Assembly technology data
IPC-1757
Process Chemicals
Chemical usage in manufacturing
IPC-1758
Shipping & Packaging
Packaging material declarations
How the Standards Work Together
The relationship between IPC-1751 and the sectional standards is straightforward: IPC-1751 is mandatory for all other declarations. You cannot have a valid IPC-1752 material declaration without the IPC-1751 framework.
Here’s how it works in practice:
IPC-1751 provides:
Supplier company information
Requester (customer) company information
Product identification data
Legal statements and electronic signatures
Declaration effective dates
Module identification (which sectional standards are included)
Sectional standards provide:
Specific declaration content
Regulation-specific data fields
Substance or material information
Compliance statements
When you generate a complete declaration, the XML file contains both the IPC-1751 generic data and the sectional standard data combined into a single package.
Key Data Elements in IPC-1751
Understanding what information IPC-1751 contains helps you work more effectively with declaration data. The standard defines several categories of required and optional data.
Requester Information
The requester is the party asking for the declaration – typically your customer or someone downstream in the supply chain.
Data Field
Description
Required
Company Name
Legal name of requesting company
Yes
Contact Name
Individual requesting declaration
Yes
Contact Email
Email for declaration delivery
Yes
Contact Phone
Phone number for questions
Optional
Company Address
Physical address
Optional
DUNS Number
Unique company identifier
Optional
Supplier Information
The supplier is the party providing the declaration – your company when you’re responding to customer requests.
Data Field
Description
Required
Company Name
Legal name of supplying company
Yes
Authorized Representative
Person certifying declaration
Yes
Contact Email
Email for follow-up questions
Yes
Contact Phone
Phone number
Optional
Company Address
Physical address
Yes
Manufacturing Location
Where product is made
Optional
Product Identification
IPC-1751 includes comprehensive product identification to ensure declarations are clearly linked to specific items.
Data Field
Description
Required
Product Name
Descriptive name
Yes
Product ID
Part number or SKU
Yes
Product Mass
Weight (for material calculations)
Conditional
Product Description
Additional details
Optional
Manufacturer Part Number
MPN if different from Product ID
Optional
Product Category
Classification
Optional
Declaration Management Data
These fields control how the declaration is processed and tracked.
Since IPC-1752 is by far the most commonly used sectional standard, understanding its relationship with IPC-1751 is essential for anyone managing material declarations.
How They Combine
When a supplier creates an IPC-1752A material declaration, the resulting XML file contains two logical sections:
IPC-1751 Section:
Who is the supplier?
Who requested this declaration?
What product does it cover?
What is the legal certification?
IPC-1752 Section:
What materials are in the product?
Does it comply with RoHS?
Are there REACH substances of concern?
What exemptions apply?
The IPC-1752 standard explicitly states: “The requirements of the generic standard, IPC-1751, are a mandatory part of this standard.” This means every valid IPC-1752 declaration must include complete IPC-1751 data.
Declaration Classes and IPC-1751
IPC-1752A defines four declaration classes with different levels of detail. IPC-1751 data is required for all classes:
Class
Name
IPC-1751 Required
IPC-1752 Content
Class A
Query/Reply
Yes
Yes/No compliance statements
Class B
Material Group
Yes
Material category reporting
Class C
Product Level
Yes
Substance categories at product level
Class D
Full Material Disclosure
Yes
Complete substance-level data
Regardless of whether you’re providing a simple Class A “yes/no” RoHS statement or a comprehensive Class D full material disclosure, the IPC-1751 framework provides the wrapper that identifies who, what, and when.
XML Schema Architecture
IPC-1751 uses XML (eXtensible Markup Language) as its data format. Understanding the basic schema structure helps when troubleshooting declaration files or integrating with compliance software.
Why XML?
XML was chosen because it’s:
Open standard – Not proprietary to any vendor
Human-readable – Can be opened in text editors
Machine-processable – Software can parse automatically
Extensible – New fields can be added without breaking existing systems
Widely supported – Most programming languages have XML libraries
Schema Organization
The IPC-1751 XML schema defines the structure that all declaration files must follow. Key elements include:
Element
Purpose
Contains
<Declaration>
Root element
All declaration data
<Requester>
Customer information
Company, contact details
<Supplier>
Supplier information
Company, contact, address
<Product>
Product identification
Name, ID, mass
<LegalStatement>
Certification
Signature, date, authority
<Modules>
Sectional standards
References to 1752, 1753, etc.
Sample XML Structure
A simplified view of how IPC-1751 data appears in an XML declaration:
This generic data then combines with the sectional standard data (IPC-1752 material content, for example) to form a complete declaration file.
Regulatory Compliance Applications
IPC-1751 supports compliance with major environmental regulations by providing the standardized framework for declaration data exchange.
Supported Regulations
Regulation
How IPC-1751 Helps
EU RoHS
Framework for substance restriction declarations
EU REACH
Structure for SVHC reporting through supply chain
SCIP Database
IPC-1752B aligns with ECHA submission format
China RoHS
Query lists support China-specific requirements
Conflict Minerals
IPC-1755 builds on 1751 for 3TG declarations
California Prop 65
Custom query support for state requirements
Due Diligence Documentation
One often-overlooked benefit of IPC-1751 is its role in demonstrating due diligence. The standard explicitly states that “the data communicated may be used to help support and demonstrate due diligence in any subsequent representation based upon its contents.”
When regulators ask how you verified your products comply with substance restrictions, having standardized IPC-175x declarations provides documented evidence of your supply chain communication process. The legal statements and electronic signatures in IPC-1751 create an audit trail showing:
When declarations were requested
Who provided the responses
What products were covered
When the declarations were certified
Implementing IPC-1751 in Your Organization
If you’re setting up or improving your supply chain declaration processes, here’s how to work effectively with IPC-1751.
For Requesting Companies (Customers)
When you request declarations from suppliers:
Step
Action
IPC-1751 Relevance
1
Define requirements
Specify which modules needed (1752, 1755, etc.)
2
Provide requester data
Complete company and contact information
3
Identify products
Clear part numbers and descriptions
4
Set expectations
Effective dates, expiration requirements
5
Choose format
XML preferred for automation
For Responding Companies (Suppliers)
When you provide declarations to customers:
Step
Action
IPC-1751 Relevance
1
Gather company data
Accurate supplier information
2
Identify authorized representative
Person with authority to certify
3
Match products exactly
Use customer’s product identifiers
4
Include all required modules
Based on customer request
5
Set appropriate dates
Effective and expiration dates
Software Tools
You don’t need to manually create XML files. Several options exist:
Enterprise Solutions:
Assent Compliance Platform
Sphera Product Compliance
Dassault Systèmes compliance tools
SAP Product Compliance
Mid-Market Tools:
GreenSoft Technology BOMcheck
Enviance compliance tools
Free/Low-Cost Options:
IPC provides schema files for custom development
Some suppliers offer free XML generation tools
Useful Resources for IPC-1751
Official IPC Resources
Resource
Description
Link
IPC-1751A Standard
Official document
shop.ipc.org
XML Schema
Technical schema files
webstds.ipc.org
IPC Materials Declaration Homepage
Central resource page
electronics.org
IPC-1752A Appendices
Updated substance lists
electronics.org
Related Standards and Regulations
Resource
Description
IEC 62474
International material declaration standard
ECHA SCIP Database
EU substances of concern reporting
REACH Candidate List
SVHC substance list updates
EU RoHS Directive
Substance restriction requirements
Training and Support
Resource
Description
IPC EDGE Online Learning
Official IPC training courses
IPC Standards Development
Participate in standards updates
E-31 Subcommittee
Task group for 175x standards
Frequently Asked Questions About IPC-1751
What is the difference between IPC-1751 and IPC-1752?
IPC-1751 provides the generic framework for all supplier declarations, including company information, product identification, and legal statements. IPC-1752 is a sectional standard that builds on IPC-1751 to specifically address material and substance declarations for regulatory compliance like RoHS and REACH. You cannot have a valid IPC-1752 declaration without IPC-1751 data – the generic requirements are mandatory.
Is IPC-1751 required for all material declarations?
Yes, IPC-1751 is mandatory for all IPC-175x family declarations. Whether you’re providing a simple RoHS compliance statement (IPC-1752 Class A) or a full material disclosure with conflict minerals data (IPC-1752 Class D plus IPC-1755), the IPC-1751 framework must be included. It provides the essential supplier, requester, and product identification that makes declarations meaningful.
Can I create IPC-1751 declarations manually without software?
Technically yes, but it’s not recommended. The XML schema is complex, and manual creation is error-prone. Most companies use compliance software that automatically generates properly formatted XML files. For occasional use, some solution providers offer free online tools that create compliant declarations from form inputs. For regular declaration management, enterprise software is more efficient.
How often is IPC-1751 updated?
IPC-1751 updates less frequently than the sectional standards because it provides the stable foundation. The current version (IPC-1751A with Amendment 1) was released in 2012. However, IPC is working on harmonizing all 175x standards with IEC 62474 and developing new capabilities like JSON schema support for integration with digital manufacturing standards. Updates are managed by the IPC E-31 subcommittee.
Does IPC-1751 support multiple products in one declaration?
Yes, IPC-1751 supports multiple product declarations. The standard defines specific use cases for grouping products, including: identical products (same mass and materials), products with different masses but identical materials, and product families with similar compositions. Each use case has rules to ensure the declaration remains accurate for all included products.
Building Effective Supply Chain Communication
IPC-1751 might not be the most exciting standard in the electronics industry, but it’s one of the most important for supply chain compliance. Every material declaration, every conflict minerals report, every laboratory test result that flows through your supply chain relies on this framework.
Understanding IPC-1751 helps you:
Troubleshoot declaration data issues
Integrate compliance software effectively
Communicate requirements clearly to suppliers
Demonstrate due diligence to regulators
Plan for future standards development
The electronics industry continues to face increasing regulatory requirements for substance disclosure, conflict minerals sourcing, and environmental reporting. The IPC-175x family of standards provides the infrastructure to meet these requirements efficiently. And at the center of that infrastructure sits IPC-1751, quietly ensuring that every declaration has the foundation it needs to be useful, accurate, and legally meaningful.
Whether you’re a compliance manager processing thousands of declarations or an engineer responding to your first customer material data request, take time to understand IPC-1751. It’s the invisible framework that makes modern supply chain compliance possible.
Inquire: Call 0086-755-23203480, or reach out via the form below/your sales contact to discuss our design, manufacturing, and assembly capabilities.
Quote: Email your PCB files to Sales@pcbsync.com (Preferred for large files) or submit online. We will contact you promptly. Please ensure your email is correct.
Notes: For PCB fabrication, we require PCB design file in Gerber RS-274X format (most preferred), *.PCB/DDB (Protel, inform your program version) format or *.BRD (Eagle) format. For PCB assembly, we require PCB design file in above mentioned format, drilling file and BOM. Click to download BOM template To avoid file missing, please include all files into one folder and compress it into .zip or .rar format.
