Technical artefacts for Product Conformity Data Exchange

other

Project Details

P1135

#2411010

1.0

2024-07-25

2025-01-31

2025-02-28

Relevant SDG targets

SDG 8 (Decent work), SDG 9 (innovation). SDG 12 (responsible consumption), SDG 15 (life on land) due to exchange of certification details among supply chain partners. 

Project Purpose

In the interest of anticipating and following technological trends, UN/CEFACT is extending from a document-centric to a process-driven approach for electronic business message development. 

This project proposal will target the Product Conformity technical artifacts as identified by the Business Requirements Specification for Digital Product Conformity Certificate Exchange. The purpose of this project is to develop these technical artefacts, to make them part of syntax-neutral UN/CEFACT BSP RDM, by this becoming available in either XML and JSON syntax, in order to make standardized conformity data part of data exchanges structures. UN/CEFACT Buy Ship Pay Reference Data Model (BSP RDM) is a standardized and harmonized semantic framework fully compliant with the UN/CEFACT Core Component Library. The BSP RDM focusses on interoperability, re-use of core components (globally standardized semantics), and will speed-up and ease implementation. It builds the foundation for deriving syntax-neutral CCBDA compliant semantic business models.

Project Scope

This project will provide the technical artifacts to update the UN/CCL traceability data components to align with the latest update of the ISO/IEC 19987 and data model subset used within UNTP traceability data model. This will facilitate software developers to “build in” the technical artifacts into existing or newly developed concepts which is highly relevant for interoperability. 

• Development of the technical artifacts, CC’s (Core Components) and BIEs (Business Information Entities), to be included in the UNCCL and relevant RDMs, such as BSP RDM.
• The scope of this technical project is international, cross-border, domestic and cross-industry.
• The technical artifacts will be modelled according to the UN/CEFACT Modelling Methodology (UMM) in order to build CCBDA compliant semantic business models.
• The technical artifacts will be generated from the reference data model(s) either in XML or JSON syntax.  

Project Deliverables

The project's deliverable is: 
Entries/alignment to the Core Component Library 

1:	Needed CCs and BIEs (technical artifacts) following the class diagram as specified in the published BRS and CCBDA data structures.
2:	Needed syntax of the technical artifacts, either in XML or JSON, based on the technical artifacts residing in the referenced data models, such as BSP RDM.

Exit Criteria

Final deliverable ready for publication.

Impact analysis

Electronic verification of claims ensures that sustainability efforts are measurable, verifiable, and enforceable, providing a robust foundation for meeting the ambitious goals outlined by the UN SDGs.

Project Team Membership and Required Functional Expertise

Membership is open to UN/CEFACT experts with broad knowledge in the area of: Supply chain and related activities as well as in modelling techniques. Knowledge of UN/CEFACT CCTS and UMM is highly recommended. Experts are expected to contribute to the work based solely on their expertise and to comply with the UN/CEFACT Code of Conduct and Ethics and the policy on Intellectual Property Rights.

In addition, Heads of Delegations may invite technical experts from their constituency to participate in the work.
Experts are expected to contribute to the work based solely on their expertise and to comply with the UN/CEFACT Code of Conduct and Ethics and the policy on Intellectual Property Rights.

Geographical Focus

The geographical focus of the project is global.

Beneficiaries

Electronic verification systems make it easier to track product lifecycle data, ensuring that materials meet required sustainability standards for recycling, reuse, or proper disposal. This supports the UN's push for responsible consumption and production (SDG 12). 

Automated, electronic systems for exchanging conformity data reduce the reliance on paper-based or manual verification processes, saving resources such as paper, energy, and time. This aligns with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by promoting the adoption of sustainable practices in supply chains.

Verified conformity data provides actionable insights for businesses to optimize operations, reduce waste, and improve compliance with sustainability standards. This fosters informed decision-making that aligns with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria.

Accurate data sharing enables better monitoring of supply chain sustainability metrics and easier reporting to stakeholders, including governments and consumers. This aligns with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by enhancing data-sharing mechanisms that support progress tracking.

Initial Contributions

The following contributions are submitted as part of this proposal. It is understood that these contributions are only for consideration by the Project Team and that other participants may submit additional contributions in order to ensure that as much information as possible is obtained from those with expertise and a material interest in the project. It is also understood that the Project Team may choose to adopt one or more of these contributions “as is”.

• UN/CEFACT BRS for Digital Product Conformity Certificate Exchange
• UN/CEFACT Core Components Library
• UN/CEFACT Buy-Ship-Pay Model
• UN/CEFACT White Paper on Digital Product Conformity Certificate Exchange
• UN/CEFACT Modelling Methodology (UMM)
• UN/CEFACT JSON Schema Naming and Design Rules
• UN/CEFACT XML Naming and Design Rules

Resource Requirements

Participants in the project shall provide resources for their own participation. The existence and functioning of the project shall not require any additional resources from the UNECE secretariat.

Project Proposal Files