Trade Use Cases

Enabling trusted commerce through supply chain transparency, product authenticity verification, and efficient trade documentation that reduces fraud and improves global trade efficiency.

Transparent and Trustworthy Trade

Verifiable credentials provide transparency and trust in complex global supply chains by enabling cryptographic verification of product origins, certifications, and trade documentation. This technology helps businesses and consumers make informed decisions while reducing fraud and counterfeiting.

Common Use Cases

Supply Chain Transparency

Track products from origin to consumer with verifiable credentials that document each step in the supply chain, including manufacturing, quality testing, and transportation milestones.

Product Authenticity

Verify the authenticity of goods through digital certificates that prove origin, manufacturing standards, and compliance with quality regulations, reducing counterfeiting and fraud.

Trade Documentation

Digital trade documents including bills of lading, certificates of origin, and customs declarations that can be verified instantly by trading partners and regulatory authorities.

Sustainability Certificates

Verifiable credentials that document sustainable practices, fair trade compliance, and environmental certifications throughout the supply chain to support responsible consumption.

Quality Assurance

Digital certificates that verify quality testing results, safety inspections, and compliance with industry standards from certified testing laboratories and inspection agencies.

Customs and Compliance

Streamlined customs processing through verifiable trade credentials that prove compliance with import/export regulations, reducing delays and administrative overhead.

Benefits for Businesses

  • Reduced Fraud - Cryptographic verification makes it extremely difficult to forge trade documents or misrepresent product origins
  • Faster Processing - Digital credentials enable instant verification of trade documents, reducing delays in customs and border processing
  • Supply Chain Visibility - Track products and materials throughout the entire supply chain with verifiable documentation
  • Compliance Assurance - Demonstrate compliance with trade regulations, quality standards, and sustainability requirements
  • Risk Management - Identify and mitigate supply chain risks through transparent and verifiable documentation

Benefits for Consumers

  • Product Authenticity - Verify that products are genuine and meet claimed quality and safety standards
  • Ethical Sourcing - Confirm that products are sourced ethically and sustainably through verifiable supply chain documentation
  • Safety Assurance - Access verified safety and quality testing results for products, especially food and pharmaceutical items
  • Informed Choices - Make purchasing decisions based on transparent and verifiable information about product origins and practices
  • Recall Efficiency - Quickly identify affected products in case of recalls through precise supply chain tracking

Industry Applications

Food and Agriculture

Track food products from farm to table with verifiable credentials documenting organic certification, safety inspections, and transportation conditions.

Pharmaceuticals

Ensure drug authenticity and safety through verifiable manufacturing records, quality testing results, and cold chain documentation.

Textiles and Apparel

Verify fair trade practices, sustainable materials, and manufacturing conditions in the global textile supply chain.

Electronics

Document component authenticity, conflict mineral compliance, and environmental certifications for electronic products.

Standards and Implementation

Organizations across industries are implementing verifiable credential systems for trade and supply chain applications using established standards:

  • UN Transparency Protocol (UNTP) - United Nations initiative to enhance supply chain transparency and combat greenwashing using digital verification technologies including verifiable credentials
  • US Customs and Border Protection - Government agency exploring digital trade documents using verifiable credentials to streamline border processing and improve security
  • Trade Associations - Industry groups are developing verifiable credential standards for supply chain transparency and product authentication
  • Certification Bodies - Organizations issuing quality, safety, and sustainability certifications are implementing verifiable credential systems
  • Logistics Companies - Shipping and logistics providers are using verifiable credentials to document transportation and handling conditions
  • Retailers - Major retailers are requiring suppliers to provide verifiable credentials documenting product origins and compliance