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Version: Work in Progress
Work in Progress
This is the latest Work in Progress for the United Nations Transparency Protocol. The content of this version is under active development and may change before release.
It's advised to use the latest maintained release from the list of maintained releases.

Supply Chain Group

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Please note that this content is under development and is not ready for implementation. This status message will be updated as content development progresses.

Terms of Reference​

Objectives​

  • Maintain the following UNTP specification pages, learning from the experiences of real-world pilots and implementations.
    • Digital Product Passports (DPP)
    • Digital Facility Records (DFR)
    • Digital Traceability Events (DTE)
  • Maintain the following UNTP Best practice guidance pages, learning from the experiences of real-world pilots and implementations.
    • Transparency Graphs
    • Chain of Custody
  • Address all issues in the issues log related to the supply chain working group in a timely manner to support the UNTP overall release timeline
    • Version 0.7.0 (due early March 2026)
    • Version 1.0.0 (due early July after public review)
  • Seek alignment wherever possible with relevant international standards and key government regulations.
  • Communicate lessons learnt (+ve & -ve) and implementation tips to help lower UNTP implementation effort
  • Develop simple approaches to managing overlapping and parallel data disclosures using the UNTP

Purpose​

  • By maintaining high quality technical specifications, informed from real-world pilots and implementations, we will increase trust and confidence in the UNTP specification.
  • Through applying the UNTP to real world and relevant disclosure schemes, we will be able to validate the efficacy of the UNTP solution across different types of supply chains.
  • Reducing the effort to implement the UNTP will support faster adoption, faster learning cycles and faster improvement of the protocol. This in turn should help accelerate real world adoption.
  • By providing approaches to managing overlapping disclosure schemes we can demonstrate the strength of the UNTP as a unifying standard, as opposed to niche focused on one disclosure scheme
  • By demonstrating alignment with relevant standards and regulations (eg the EU DPP), we will reduce cost and risk for implementers who will be able to confidently build on UNTP for global markets.

Example of Supply Chain Questions being addressed by this working group​

  • Help address how confidentiality changes as data moves and transforms along the supply chain
  • Consider how UNTP works when there are breaks in supply chain digitisation upstream, which is key to phased deployment of UNTP
  • Help address how bulk commodity mass balancing (in it's different forms) interacts with UNTP along a supply chain
  • How to facilitate mapping and mutual recognition between disclosure schemes with similar intent so that audot fatigue can be reduced.

Mailing List​

A group mailing list is maintained and can be used by any list member to post messages to the group. The list also maintains an archive of all messages sent to the group.

Meetings​

Group meetings are held Fortnightly in two timezones.

Previous Meeting Minutes​

Click on the date to see the more detailed meeting summary.

DateSummary
17 Feb 2026 - EUThe meeting focused on simplifying UNTP party roles, improving packaging and facility reporting models, and replacing fixed performance measures with a flexible but controlled vocabulary of metrics to support more consistent, machine-readable product passport and sustainability reporting.
17 Feb 2026 - USThe meeting reviewed updates to the UNTP data model covering party roles, facility reporting, assessment periods, measurement tolerances, and the shift to controlled-vocabulary performance claims, with actions to align the model with regulatory requirements and clarify implementation details.
3 Feb 2026 - EUThe Supply Chain Working Group reviewed progress toward UNTP v0.7, focusing on mass balance, product passports, and digital credentials for sustainability and carbon data, while agreeing on governance-driven issue closure and next steps to improve transparency, traceability, and SME-friendly implementation.
3 Feb 2026 - USThe working group reviewed administrative updates and refined the UNTP specification, focusing on how claims, conformity credentials, and product passports interrelate—particularly for sustainability and carbon data—while agreeing next steps to clarify link semantics, close pending issues, and prepare for the v0.7 release.
20 Jan 2026 - EUThe UNTP Supply Chain Working Group reconvened under Steven Capell’s leadership to advance an industry-neutral, interoperable traceability standard, agree on priorities to resolve open technical issues, and progress toward releasing UNTP v0.7 within six weeks to enable broader consultation and early adoption
20 Jan 2026 - USThe UNTP Supply Chain Working Group reviewed progress toward UNTP as a digital interoperability standard, confirmed targets for v0.7 by mid-March and v1.0 by June, and agreed on next steps to resolve open GitLab issues and advance JSON schema and linked-data integration for interoperable implementations.

17-01-2026 Meeting EU timezone​

Quick recap​

The meeting focused on reviewing and discussing updates to the UNTP (Universal Product Passport) data model, particularly around product parties, packaging information, and facility records.

The group agreed to simplify the party model by allowing multiple parties with defined roles, rather than using a large pre-defined list of roles.

They discussed how to handle packaging information, with Kit raising concerns about different types of packaging across the supply chain, and Adrienne suggesting alignment with the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive.

The team also reviewed proposed changes to how performance metrics and emissions data would be reported, moving away from fixed circularity and emissions performance boxes toward a more flexible but controlled vocabulary of metrics.

Bogharald contributed insights about textile product passports and the importance of machine-readable credentials, while Adrienne emphasized the need for sector-specific metrics and criteria in different industries.

Next steps​

  • Steven: Draft a controlled vocabulary of metrics (including emissions, circularity, water usage, etc.) for use in product and facility records, drawing from relevant standards/frameworks (e.g., ESRS, IFRS, GRI, Pathfinder), and seek subject matter expertise input before the next supply chain meeting in two weeks.
  • Adrian: Share the updated UNTP Chain of Custody page with the Chemex COC team and provide feedback.
  • Steven: Review the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWR) and Extended Producer Responsibility regulations (as referenced by Adrian) to ensure the packaging information model in the product passport covers all required reporting elements.
  • Steven: Monitor for the public release of JTC24’s suggested roles for economic operators/actors and update the UNTP party role list as appropriate.
  • Steven: Develop sample examples showing how circularity and emissions performance claims can be reported using the new, more flexible and rigorous claims structure, to illustrate migration from the current “circularity performance” and “emissions performance” boxes.
  • Steven: Prepare and demonstrate a working example of a real conformity vocabulary catalog issued by a particular scheme owner for the next meeting.

Summary​

EU Business Wallet Simplification Progress​

Bogharald discussed the progress of business wallets in the EU, highlighting that simplification is now a top priority, with a focus on making public sector wallets mandatory and eliminating pre-certification requirements.

He mentioned that his company has already implemented this simplified system, allowing for direct wallet-to-wallet transactions.

Steven noted a discussion in the W3C Credentials Community Group about differences in wallet verification approaches between Europe and the US, but the conversation focused on the progress and benefits of the European business wallet system.

UNTP Supply Chain Roles Update​

The supply chain group discussed issues and plans to publish version 0.7 of UNTP, focusing on supply chain components including Product Passport, Facility Record, Traceability, and Event.

Steven shared updates on the party model, proposing changes to include multiple party roles relevant to product passports and facility records, while prioritizing simplicity over using a vast standard role list.

The group agreed to review and provide feedback on suggested roles, with Steven expressing a preference for a smaller, focused set of roles.

ESPR Roles and Packaging Updates​

The group discussed roles and responsibilities in the EU's ESPR and economic operator framework, with Adrienne and Michael noting that multiple roles need to be reported, including manufacturers and importers.

They agreed to follow ESPR Section 32 and subsequent guidance, along with JTC24 recommendations, to determine appropriate roles globally.

The team also addressed packaging information, with Steven proposing to add packaging as an optional property of the product in the data model, including dimensions and material composition.

Packaging and Product Passport Discussion​

Kit raised questions about different types of packaging along the supply chain, and Steven explained how the UNTP system handles fabric and product passports separately.

Adrienne recommended reviewing the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWR) and extended producer responsibility regulations, which Steven noted would need to be checked against the current data model.

Michael raised questions about handling nested packaging in the DPP system.

Steven explained that facility records require a defined reporting period to be meaningful, which could be monthly, quarterly, or annual.

Facility Reporting Period Flexibility Discussion​

The team discussed facility reporting periods for sustainability assessments.

Adrienne explained that Together for Sustainability recommends:

  • using facility IDs
  • allowing one year of primary data, or
  • up to three years of documented assumptions if primary data is unavailable

Steven proposed making the reporting period a mandatory attribute while allowing facilities to define their own reporting periods rather than restricting them to fixed timeframes.

The team agreed this was a reasonable approach.

Material Origin Reporting Requirements​

Steven discussed requirements for facilities to report the origin of materials, similar to pilot work on critical mineral supply chains.

Facilities must report:

  • material types
  • mass fractions
  • country of origin

Detailed supplier information is not required due to commercial sensitivity.

He also referenced the Responsible Business Alliance cascading spreadsheet framework used to trace materials to their source for Dodd-Frank conflict minerals compliance.

Mass Balance and Chain of Custody​

The discussion focused on mass balance verification and chain of custody for materials in manufacturing facilities.

Steven and Michael noted that facility declarations about material sourcing are difficult to verify without detailed mass balance data, which is often commercially sensitive.

Adrienne described Chemex work on chain of custody guidelines and highlighted a significant update to the UNTP Chain of Custody page, including a new transparency diagram showing how facilities can provide traceability while protecting sensitive information.

Product Passport Performance Metrics Update​

The team discussed replacing circularity and emissions performance claims with categorized claims in the Product Passport.

Steven proposed improving rigor and comparability through a controlled code list for reporting metrics, structured similarly to conformity topic lists and aligned with ESRS, IFRS, and GRI.

The group agreed to review the revised model and provide feedback.

Circular Metrics Recording Framework​

Adrienne raised concerns about how companies such as Siemens would record circular performance metrics, especially for remanufacturing.

Steven explained that performance facts could be reported as claims against criteria using a controlled vocabulary covering activities such as:

  • recycling
  • repair
  • remanufacturing

The group agreed to develop a flexible structure with a controlled vocabulary before the next supply chain meeting, drawing on frameworks such as the WBCSD Pathfinder.

Performance Tracking System Development​

The group discussed development of a performance tracking system.

Michael highlighted limitations of arbitrary performance boxes and supported a flexible but controlled vocabulary.

Steven explained that the new UNTP data model would support multiple performance types, but emphasized the need for governance to prevent loss of meaning.

Bogharald shared insights from a German textile passport project, stressing the importance of machine-readable credentials and the potential for self-issued credentials from reputable organizations.

Product Passports and Compliance Standards​

The meeting reviewed the role of product passports and facility records as manufacturer statements whose credibility depends on brand reputation.

Steven described the optional conformity component, signed by an independent assessor or machine, to support or challenge claims.

Adrienne shared insights from the chemicals sector, emphasizing the need for sector-specific metrics and metadata to generate key indicators and support compliance evaluation.

The group highlighted the importance of publishing schemes digitally to enable comparison of criteria across different conformity schemes.

17-02-2026 Meeting US timezone​

Quick recap​

The meeting focused on reviewing and discussing updates to the UNTP data model, including changes to party roles, facility records, and performance metrics. The group debated the inclusion of multiple party roles in product passports and facility records, with Susanne questioning the necessity of certain roles for EU regulations.

They also discussed replacing circularity and emissions performance measures with categorized claims, with Steven proposing a new approach using controlled vocabularies for metrics.

The team addressed the need for tolerances in product measurements and considered whether to create separate extensions for copper-specific data or include it in a broader critical raw materials extension.

The conversation ended with a brief discussion on updating the definition of the ID property in the model.

Next steps​

  • Steven: Check ESPR Section 32 and other relevant regulations/standards to determine the required party roles for product passports and facility records, and consider community input on whether multiple party roles are needed.
  • All interested parties (especially Susanne, Nick, Todd): Comment on the relevant ticket regarding the necessity and scope of party roles in the data model, particularly in the context of ESPR and other jurisdictions.
  • Steven: Reconsider and potentially revise the requirement for a mandatory reporting period in the facility record, based on Nick's feedback about overlapping claim periods and implementation complexity; seek further input before finalizing.
  • Susanne (and others): Add comments to the new ticket regarding the need to capture assessment period (applicable period for which data was assessed) in credentials, and clarify language/requirements for assessment, audit, and validity periods.
  • Christian / Susanne: Add upper and lower tolerance fields to the measure class in the core model (or raise/progress the ticket for this), to support tolerances for product dimensions/measures, and process the associated ticket.
  • Christian / Susanne: Raise or update a ticket regarding the handling of corrosion and other attributes for copper and other critical raw materials, and document implementation in the copper extension for now, with a note for future harmonization if similar needs arise in other materials.
  • Susanne: Update the definition of the ID property in the model to remove or clarify the reference to ISO 8975 and resolvable URLs, as per discussion.
  • Steven: Assign the new ticket regarding assessment period to the appropriate group (Brett's group) for tracking.
  • All: Provide feedback and comments on the proposed changes to claims, metrics, and performance measures, especially regarding the controlled vocabulary for metrics and the handling of “Other” metrics, via the relevant ticket.
  • Christian: Raise a ticket (if not already done) regarding the need for tolerances on measures/dimensions, and ensure it is labeled appropriately (or follow up with Steven if unable to add labels).

Summary​

UNTP Data Model Party Roles Update​

The team discussed updates to the data model for UNTP, focusing on changes to handle multiple party roles for products and facilities. They plan to use the party roles defined in ESPR Section 32 as guidance for encoding these roles in the model.

Steven mentioned addressing a backlog of issues before the next version release, and the team agreed to review the proposed changes to ensure they meet regulatory requirements.

Digital Product Passport Roles Discussion​

The team discussed two main topics: party roles in digital product passports (DPPs) and facility records.

  • Party roles: They debated whether to use the extensive UN/CEFACT code list of 300+ roles or create a more specific list. Nick suggested that for EU ESPR requirements, only the economic operator needs to issue product passports, with manufacturer and importer roles potentially needed in other jurisdictions.

  • Facility records: Nick raised concerns about making the reporting period mandatory, as this could force multiple DFRs to align with different claim periods.

The team agreed to reconsider the mandatory reporting period requirement and to create a new ticket for addressing the assessment period in conformity credentials.

Assessment Period Clarification Discussion​

The team discussed the concept of assessment periods in credentials and reports, clarifying that it refers to the period for which data is assessed, rather than the duration of on-site audits.

Susanne explained this using the Copper Mark credential as an example, distinguishing between:

  • the assessment period
  • the issuance date
  • the validity period of the credential

Steven suggested using the term “applicable period” to better convey this meaning. The team agreed that clearer language is needed to avoid confusion.

Standardizing Assessment Date Reporting​

The team discussed the need to clarify and standardize the reporting of assessment dates and periods, with Susanne highlighting discrepancies in the current system.

Steven explained the differences between:

  • audit site dates
  • assessment periods
  • credential validity dates

A ticket has been created to address these issues.

The group also discussed replacing circularity and emissions performance metrics with categorized claims, with Steven proposing a more structured approach using a controlled vocabulary for metrics to ensure consistency and alignment with existing reporting standards.

Environmental Metrics Implementation Challenges​

Nick and Steven discussed the challenges of implementing a system for measuring and disclosing various environmental metrics, such as carbon intensity and product carbon footprint.

Key ideas:

  • Create a short list of metrics
  • Categorize assessment criteria under each metric
  • Separate the vocabulary for metrics and conformity topics from the UNTP core data model to allow easier updates
  • Remove confusing performance boxes and replace them with a more user-friendly display

Susanne noted that 2–3 tickets had been issued before the meeting (details not discussed).

Product Passport Threshold Modeling Discussion​

The team discussed modeling tolerances and thresholds in product passports and whether these belong in the core model or extensions.

Key distinctions:

  • Performance thresholds → defined criteria
  • Claimed performance → actual measured results

Nick suggested many measurements could be represented as claims with associated standards.

They also discussed:

  • difference between product characteristics (e.g. color, size) and performance measures
  • need for industry-specific decisions about which data points require verifiable assessments versus simple properties

Product Dimensions and Tolerance Standards​

The team discussed handling dimensions and tolerances in product classes.

Decisions and considerations:

  • Add tolerance information to the measure field for product dimensions
  • Useful for implementations such as copper product descriptions
  • Debate whether copper-specific attributes should be in a dedicated extension or a broader critical raw materials extension
  • Steven recommended waiting to see if attributes are reused before moving them into industry-wide extensions

They also clarified the definition of the ID property, removing reference to ISO 8975 and allowing a more flexible approach to resolving URLs.

03-01-2026 Meeting EU timezone​

Quick recap​

The Supply Chain Working Group discussed the process for reviewing and closing open issues in the UNTP specification, with Steven explaining the governance structure and contribution process through GitLab. The meeting focused on mass balance and product passports in supply chain management, including discussions about facility records, carbon footprints, and national regulations across different countries. The group explored digital credentials and transparency in supply chains, covering topics like UNTP architecture, digital product passports, and mass balance calculations for sustainable production, with particular attention to auditing challenges for SMEs in developing countries.

Next steps​

  • steven: Close the mass balance ticket after a week if no further comments or concerns are raised on GitHub/Slack, otherwise keep it open for further discussion.
  • All participants (especially those with GitHub accounts): Comment on the mass balance ticket on GitHub within the next week to provide consensus, concerns, or questions before the ticket is closed.
  • steven: Look up and share the contact information of the person at ITC working on the DPP issuer tool for SMEs/developing countries with David. Summary

UNTP Specification Version 0.7 Review​

The Supply Chain Working Group discussed the process for reviewing and closing open issues in the UNTP specification, with a focus on reaching version 0.7. Steven explained the governance structure and how participants can contribute through GitLab, including the registration process and commenting on existing tickets. The group reviewed the agenda, which included a quick review of last meeting's minutes, addressing issues towards version 0.7, and a Q&A session. David Jensen introduced himself as a new participant, interested in deploying UNTP in developing countries, and mentioned his background with the UN and GIZ.

Supply Chain Mass Balance Discussion​

The meeting focused on discussing mass balance and product passports in supply chain management. Steven explained how facilities handle mass balance by recording objecting opinions and progressing with majority decisions. He also described the concept of product passports for unique product classes, including how they apply to bulk commodities and changes in production methods. İrem raised questions about overlapping credentials and how the system distinguishes between facility records and product passports. Steven clarified that product passports are attached to specific shipments or batches, while facility records represent broader time-bound performance data.

Carbon Footprint Mapping in Apparel​

The discussion focused on the challenges of mapping fragmented facilities in the apparel industry and calculating product-specific carbon footprints (DPPs) across different countries. Matin raised concerns about how national regulations could affect DPP comparisons between countries, particularly Bangladesh and Australia. Steven explained that while different countries may use varying calculation methods and regulations, the protocol aims to record the calculation basis for each facility, ensuring transparency but not harmonizing national regulations.

Sustainable Materials Chain Tracking Methods​

The discussion focused on mass balance and chain of custody methods for tracking sustainable materials in supply chains. Steven explained that mass balance allows mixing of materials while ensuring totals match on both sides, enabling facilities to claim percentages of sustainable materials based on actual inputs and outputs. Virginia raised a question about conformity certificates and DPPs, which Steven confirmed are time-bound and can be evaluated based on the date of facility evaluation or batch. Jeremy inquired about protocols for transparency and signing of credentials, to which Steven emphasized the importance of digital standards for traceability and transparency, aiming to enable scalable algorithmic due diligence and maintain confidence in sustainability claims.

Digital Certificate Traceability Solutions​

The meeting focused on the transparency and traceability of digital certificates and credentials in supply chains. Jeremy emphasized the importance of public availability and traceability of audit processes to ensure credibility. Steven discussed the UNTP (Universal Numerical Traceability Protocol) architecture, highlighting its ability to create a digital twin of a value chain using interconnected credentials and allowing for verification of entire graphs rather than individual credentials. He also explained the concept of transformation events and the need for an architecture that balances traceability, transparency, and confidentiality, offering alternative means to build trust without compromising sensitive information.

UNTP Digital Product Passport​

The discussion focused on the UNTP digital product passport standard and its approach to traceability and accountability. Steven explained that the standard allows for the digital signing and hashing of evidence to ensure auditor credibility and prevent tampering, while also accommodating different levels of conformity assurance. Rafael inquired about the DPP's consideration of factors like gender and age in production, to which Steven responded that UNTP abstracts these details into a claim structure to accommodate various national regulations and schemes, with industry working groups able to specify relevant criteria at a more granular level.

Mass Balance and Digital Credentials​

The meeting focused on discussing mass balance and digital credentials for sustainable production. Steven explained how facilities handle inputs and outputs, including batch processes and the importance of transparency or auditing for carbon intensity claims. Matin raised questions about apportioning materials across multiple facilities in a value chain, which Steven addressed by emphasizing that facilities are responsible for their own mass balance calculations. David asked about potential bottlenecks in auditing for SMEs in developing countries, to which Steven responded that tools like the ITC issuer toolkit aim to make digital credentialing accessible and efficient for small producers. The conversation ended with Steven proposing to close the mass balance ticket, inviting participants to provide feedback on GitHub if they wished to keep it open.

03-01-2026 Meeting US timezone​

Quick recap​

The supply chain working group meeting focused on administrative updates and discussions around the UNTP specification, including revised terms of reference and meeting minutes. The team explored various aspects of product passports and conformity credentials, discussing how claims and credentials are managed and linked within the UNTP system. The conversation ended with detailed discussions about carbon footprint calculations, data verification methods, and the handling of digital and paper-based credentials, along with identifying a bug in the specification documentation.

Next steps​

  • steven: Send email to the main list with links to all issues marked "pending close" and seek consensus on their closure within 2-3 weeks
  • steven: Publish this meeting's minutes by tomorrow
  • Susanne/Christian: Select key questions from Slack discussion and create corresponding tickets in UNTP GitLab
  • steven: Update the specification page with the correct links to the current latest logical model (addressing Christian's point about outdated model links)
  • Todd: Raise a ticket about using hashing/zero knowledge proof for PDF certificate validation
  • Nick/steven: Clarify in the main specification pages what "link" means in different contexts, particularly distinguishing between discovery links and content verification links
  • steven: Update page with the right links to the current latest model (0.61) as identified by Christian
  • All participants: Review the published meeting minutes and provide feedback or corrections if needed
  • All participants: Review the list of "pending close" issues when email is sent and provide opinions/objections via GitLab or mailing list to establish consensus before closure
  • All participants: Ensure they have (or request) access to GitLab for commenting on tickets and participating in consensus process

Supply Chain Meeting: Mass Balance Focus​

The supply chain fortnightly meeting began with a reminder that it is a UN meeting and contributions should be made freely available. The group discussed last week's meeting minutes and considered topics for the current meeting, with mass balance being a key focus from a previous 8-hour meeting. Susanne raised questions on Slack about mapping to EUDPP and data locations, which could be an interesting topic to address. The group also mentioned the need to close tickets and prepare for the 0.7 release in the coming weeks, ensuring any new concerns or unanswered questions are addressed.

Supply Chain Working Group Updates​

The meeting focused on administrative updates to the supply chain working group, including revised terms of reference and meeting minutes. Steven announced plans to close several pending issues and requested team feedback through an email survey, emphasizing the need for consensus on closure. The group discussed the handling of declarations and reporting against various regulatory frameworks, standards, and schemes, with Steven explaining that UNTP serves as a vehicle for claims and evidence against any standard or regulation.

UNTP Claims and Conformity Discussion​

The team discussed how to handle claims and conformity credentials in the UNTP specification, focusing on how these relate to products and companies. Steven explained that UNTP aims to automate auditing through digitalization, allowing for continuous verification of data. He emphasized that claims must be linked to formal methodologies or rulebooks, such as industry schemes or regulations, to have meaning. The team agreed to transfer relevant Slack questions to GitLab as permanent records, with Susanne creating a ticket to clarify the concept of claims and criteria in UNTP.

Sustainability Claims and Credentials Discussion​

Susanne and Steven discussed the challenges of managing multiple sustainability claims and credentials, such as coppermark certifications, in product passports. Susanne expressed concerns about the complexity of linking claims to credentials and the difficulty of updating them when credentials expire. Steven clarified the purpose of claims and conformity credentials, explaining that claims are self-declarations by facilities or companies, while conformity credentials are independent assessments. He emphasized that the passport allows for various performance declarations, which may or may not be substantiated by third-party evidence, while the conformity credential provides a certificate for third-party verified assessments.

UNTP System Credentials Discussion​

Susanne and Steven discussed the use of product passports and conformity credentials in the UNTP system. They clarified that credentials should not be hard-coded into product passports, as they might change or expire. Steven explained that the intent of UNTP is to automate due diligence, not just data exchange. They also discussed the identity resolver specification, which allows for resolving identifiers to lists of associated data, including conformity credentials. The conversation touched on the question of whether to break down conformity credentials into more detail, with Steven suggesting it might be useful for certain applications.

Claims Management in Digital Passports​

Nick explained the concept of claims in the context of digital product passports and facility records, emphasizing that claims can carry various types of data, including self-declared information, and can be verified through third-party audits. He highlighted the importance of managing claims, especially when dealing with thousands of them, and suggested that vendors should be evaluated based on their ability to manage claims effectively. Nick also discussed the granularity of credentials, noting that they can be wrapped up into single claims or broken down into more detailed ones, depending on their intended use.

Claims vs Properties in Product Passports​

The group discussed the distinction between claims and properties in product passports, with Steven emphasizing the importance of objective standards for assessing claims. Susanne proposed a flexible approach where facility identifiers could be discovered and linked to conformity credentials, rather than managing static claims. They also explored the challenges of granularity in emissions audits and the need for relevant information for different stakeholders.

Product Passports and Carbon Credentials​

Steven and Susanne discussed the use of product passports and carbon footprint credentials in supply chains. Steven emphasized the importance of including product-level carbon intensity information in passports, particularly for bulk materials and high-volume items, while Susanne focused on the Global Battery Alliance's approach of calculating carbon footprints at the product level. They agreed that while facility-level credentials are useful, product-level passports are essential for sharing relevant information with subsequent actors in the value chain.

Battery Carbon Assessment Framework​

The group discussed the carbon calculation rules for batteries and the distinction between self-claimed claims and independently assessed conformity credentials in digital product passports. Steven explained that while the Global Battery Alliance provides rules for carbon intensity assessment, mine site emissions are regulated by different frameworks, and product-level independent assessments may be necessary for high-value finished products. The discussion clarified how algorithms can verify the connection between claims in product passports and conformity credentials through shared criteria and identifiers, with Steven emphasizing that links between credentials are not based on URLs but on correct content references.

The meeting focused on clarifying the concept of links in the UNTP (Uniform Networked Trade Product) specification, particularly distinguishing between signpost links for data discovery and actual data content links. Steven explained that while links are important for finding credentials, it's the data within the credentials that establishes valid connections between product identifiers and assessments. The group discussed practical considerations for handling both digital and paper-based credentials, with Todd suggesting the use of zero-knowledge proofs and hashing as a way to validate PDF certificates in the interim. The conversation ended with Christian pointing out a bug in the specification documentation regarding version 0.61, which Steven agreed to fix.

20-01-2026 Meeting EU timezone​

Quick recap​

The UNTP Supply Chain Working Group reconvened under Steven Capell’s leadership to progress the development of interoperable traceability and transparency systems across value chains.

The group’s primary objective is to finalize UNTP version 0.7 before June, enabling wider consultation and early adoption.

New participants were welcomed, and use cases across seafood, diamonds/precious minerals, and textiles were discussed. Emphasis was placed on:

  • Interoperability between existing traceability platforms
  • Adherence to UN rules regarding non‑commercial, public‑good standards
  • Practical alignment between business needs and technical design

Outstanding technical issues will be addressed prior to the v0.7 release, targeted in approximately six weeks.

Next steps​

  • All participants
    Review open supply-chain-related issues/tickets in UN GitLab and provide comments, particularly comparing:

    • Questions raised by previous groups
    • Answers provided in the Transparency Graph and Chain of Custody pages.

  • All participants
    Read the Transparency Graph and Chain of Custody pages on the UNTP site and provide feedback where explanations are unclear or insufficient.

  • John Phillips (Global Trust Registry Project)
    Provide consolidated issues, pull requests, and feedback on digital identity anchor changes to the relevant working group within four weeks.

  • Steven Capell
    Circulate instructions on registering for UN GitLab to enable direct commenting on issues/tickets.

  • All interested participants
    Submit questions or concerns via the mailing list, Slack channel, or email in preparation for the v0.7 release.

Leadership update​

Steven Capell confirmed the resumption of leadership of the UNTP Supply Chain Working Group.

The group reiterated its mandate to produce industry‑neutral core standards with industry‑specific extensions, and to publish outputs as open, common‑good specifications.

New participants​

New members introduced themselves, including:

  • Vlasis
  • Denis
  • Xiaodi
  • Matthew
  • Rafael
  • Jennifermoriconi
  • Irene
  • Anett
  • Irem
  • Tobias

Steven noted that:

  • The seafood sector (GDST) is moving toward UNTP alignment.
  • UNTP is intended to enable cross‑sector interoperability rather than replace existing domain standards.

Jennifermoriconi expressed interest in applying UNTP to diamond and precious minerals traceability.
Participants were encouraged to connect with John Phillips regarding digital identity and the Global Trust Registry.

UNTP in textiles and fashion​

Discussion focused on how UNTP can interoperate with existing textile and fashion traceability platforms (e.g., Industry 4.0 and ChemX).

  • Emma (Lectra) presented the Techstat Genesis platform for textiles and leather traceability and expressed interest in future pilots.
  • Nick emphasized framing technical discussions in business terms relevant to ESG managers and supply chain owners.

Future pilots with multiple platforms are anticipated once v0.6 stabilisation and bug fixes are complete.

UNTP as a supply chain interoperability standard​

Steven provided an overview of UNTP as a digital interoperability protocol supporting:

  • Digital Product Passports (DPPs)
  • Digital Facility Records (DFRs)
  • Conformity Credentials
  • Digital Traceability Events

Key characteristics:

  • Publish-and-discover architecture
  • Machine- and human-readable data
  • Support for automated due diligence

Key open questions being addressed:

  • Handling confidential and commercially sensitive data
  • Non-participating actors in supply chains
  • Bulk materials and mass-balance models

These issues are targeted for resolution before the v0.7 release.

Facility data integration in DPPs​

Facility information is linked to Digital Product Passports through shared identifiers, rather than hard-coded links.

Nick raised questions regarding ESPR-aligned facility data structures in Europe.
Steven demonstrated how facility data can be discovered via identifiers within the UNTP model.

Participants were encouraged to review recent updates to the Transparency Graph and Chain of Custody pages and assess whether they adequately explain:

  • Business problem coverage
  • Data discovery patterns
  • Handling of different data types

20-01-2026 Meeting US timezone​

Quick recap​

The meeting focused on progress toward the development and implementation of UNTP as a digital interoperability standard for supply chain traceability and due diligence.

Key objectives include publishing version 0.7 by mid-March for public review and progressing toward version 1.0 by June.

Discussions covered UNTP architecture, data publication mechanisms, and the role of digital credentials in enabling verification and interoperability across platforms. Participants also explored challenges in transitioning from unstructured to structured data and ongoing work on JSON schemas and linked data ontologies.

Next steps​

  • Steven Capell

    • Send a reminder and calendar invite for the next meeting to Susanne and other participants as needed.
    • Send an email to the working group with instructions for registering on GitLab and guidance on participation (raising tickets, merge requests, etc.).

  • Susanne

    • Align with Steven offline to schedule a separate conversation about Coppermark credential details.

  • Fins

    • Locate and share the link to the OGC Building Blocks project in the chat or relevant channel.

  • Juan

    • Join the Slack channel and mailing list.
    • Consider raising the topic of a JSON Schema ↔ RDF bridge and potential collaboration with the JSON Schema community, including a possible blog post or promotion to raise UNTP awareness.

  • All interested technical participants

    • Review and help resolve open GitLab issues with the goal of reaching v0.7 within 4–6 weeks.

UNTP version milestones and timeline​

Steven outlined the following targets:

  • Publish v0.7 by mid-March for public review.
  • Conduct a two-month public review period.
  • Progress toward v1.0 by June.

Steven reminded participants of the UN meeting code of conduct:

  • Commercial product promotion is not permitted.
  • Contributions to the UNTP website are considered UN Intellectual Property (UNIP).

The meeting was recorded, and minutes will be published publicly on the website.

UNTP as digital supply chain standards​

Steven introduced UNTP as a collection of digital standards supporting:

  • Digital Product Passports (DPPs)
  • Digital Facility Records (DFRs)
  • Conformity / sustainability credentials
  • Digital Traceability Events

Architecture highlights:

  • Verifiable credentials published and discovered via URLs.
  • Facilities and products described using facility records and product passports.
  • Data publication mechanisms are defined but implementation-agnostic (e.g., APIs, JSON files, or other approaches).

Adoption considerations discussed:

  • Simplicity of implementation
  • Clear incentives for adopters
  • Interoperability across competing service providers

Susanne requested a deeper offline discussion on Coppermark credentials.

UNTP standard development update​

UNTP is being developed as a platform that software vendors can implement in a consistent, interoperable way.

Key points:

  • A test playground is planned to help validate implementations.
  • UNTP aims to support algorithmic due diligence for sustainability and product quality claims.
  • Specifications must serve both technical implementers and business users.

Steven reiterated that the target for version 1.0 is June, with active work underway to resolve GitLab issues.

Specification timeline and review process​

  • v0.7 expected in 4–6 weeks.
  • Followed by a formalized public review period (~2 months).

Steven emphasized:

  • The importance of incentives for implementation.
  • The value of a competitive ecosystem of service providers using the same standard.
  • The challenge of verifying data across heterogeneous platforms.

JSON Schema and linked data integration​

Technical discussion focused on balancing:

  • Structured JSON schemas for developers
  • Compatibility with linked data / RDF graphs

Juan expressed interest in collaborating on improving JSON schemas and promoting the UN/CEFACT JSON Schema ecosystem.

Marcus and Fins highlighted existing tooling such as OGC Building Blocks that supports conversion between JSON and RDF formats.

The group agreed to continue discussion via Slack and the mailing list, with the shared goal of reaching a level of maturity where implementers can have confidence in the specifications.