Abstract: A method and system for introducing a new material into a product design system wherein the system receives basic material use information from a requesting party and determines whether a new material introduction (NMI) is necessary for acquiring approval to use the material. If an NMI is required, the system receives details of the NMI and electronically notifies appropriate approval departments of the NMI. The various approval departments are simultaneously supplied with specific NMI information. Once the NMI information has been reviewed, the system receives approval determinations from the various departments. If approvals have been received from all departments, the requesting party is notified of the approval and a database of NMI's is updated to reflect the approved NMI. However, if the NMI is not approved by all departments, the requesting party is so notified and the NMI database is not updated.