Work Item
ASTM WK89930
New Guide for for Blockchain-Based Verification of Certification of Authentication (COA) Documents for Deforestation Document Tracking in the Supply Chains
1. Scope
The implementation of blockchain technology aims to solidify the integrity of supply chain documentation by creating an immutable time-stamped image with metadata representing a product’s “Due Diligence Statement” for agriculture commodities like cattle, cocoa, coffee and their derivative products. This effort ensures that all documentation is reliable and compliant with regulatory frameworks.
This standard guide sets the foundation for a system that enhances transparency, traceability, and trustworthiness by ensuring all traded goods are authenticated and compliant, thereby reducing fraudulent documentation. The proposed standard aims to develop a blockchain-based framework for verifying Certificates of Authenticity (COAs), which are time stamped on a blockchain ledger as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for commodities and derivative products. Additionally, it incorporates the use of Electronic Bills of Lading (eBOL), digital versions of traditional paper bills, to serve the logistics sector. Despite the persistence of paper bills, there is a growing shift towards digital transactions, with nine providers offering eBOL solutions without standardized practices. The goal is to help market players comply with regulatory requirements by standardizing information flow in the supply chain. The bill of lading must carry certification applicable to all commodities, ensuring consistency and the ability to survive transfers while coexisting with paper bills.
Keywords
Blockchain, Certificate of Authenticity (COA), EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), sustainability, traceability, transparency, legal sourcing, commodities, derivative products.
Rationale
The urgent need for this new standard arises from the growing global concern over deforestation and forest degradation, driven by the trade in certain commodities and their derivatives. The European Union's Deforestation Regulation represents a significant step forward in addressing this issue, demanding that companies trading in commodities such as cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya, and wood, along with their derivative products, ensure these goods do not contribute to deforestation and comply with laws of the producing country. The complexity and scope of these requirements necessitate a robust, transparent, and efficient mechanism for verifying compliance documentation, a role perfectly suited to blockchain technology.
The title and scope are in draft form and are under development within this ASTM Committee.
Work Item Status
Date Initiated: 03-08-2024
Technical Contact: Michael Coner
Item: 000
Ballot:
Status: