FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The RBTP Knowledge Base is evolving weekly as part of our pilot programs with RBA members. We’d love your input — submit feedback or help shape the protocol in real time by joining a pilot.
What is UNTP?
The UNTP (United Nations Transparency Protocol) is a globally endorsed protocol that defines both technical specifications and governance structures to enable interoperability across diverse business systems. It provides a practical solution to n-tier transparency challenges in global supply chains by facilitating data exchange through standardized, secure, and decentralized methods.
By aligning with the UNTP, stakeholders can integrate transparency into their operations with minimal friction, gaining immediate value while contributing to more sustainable and trustworthy global trade. The RBTP builds upon the UNTP to establish global transparency standards and enable n-tier traceability through secure, verifiable credential exchanges.
What is Responsible Business Transparency Protocol - RBTP?
The Responsible Business Transparency Protocol (RBTP) is an extension of the United Nations Transparency Protocol (UNTP), adapted with custom updates to meet the unique needs of RBA members and their diverse supply chains. Implemented by the RBA, the RBTP enhances n-tier traceability and simplifies compliance by enabling secure and verifiable credential exchange within and across global supply networks.
What are (Verifiable) Credentials – VC?
In the UNTP, every thing and event—from Product Passports and Facilities to Transformation Events, Identity Anchors, and Conformity Credentials—is represented as a Verifiable Credential (VC). VCs are a globally recognized standard for secure, tamper-evident, and cryptographically signed digital credentials, designed to enable seamless interoperability across systems and stakeholders.
They support privacy-preserving and instantly verifiable data sharing across supply chains—advancing transparency, regulatory compliance, and trust without revealing sensitive business details.
Learn more in our Credential Overviews
Digital Product Passport – DPP?
A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a structured, machine-readable digital record issued by a producer or economic operator, uniquely linked to each product or batch via a standardized identifier (e.g., QR code or RFID tag). It carries essential product and sustainability information—such as material composition, environmental footprint, conformity credentials, and end-of-life options—at the level of detail needed by supply chain actors.
Designed to be lightweight and interoperable, the DPP is dynamically updated throughout the product’s lifecycle, incorporating traceability events, repairs, and transformations. It maintains confidentiality through differentiated data access while enabling secure and verifiable data sharing.
The DPP supports regulatory compliance, circular economy objectives, and builds trust across global value networks.
Learn more in our Digital Product Passport Overview
Digital Facility Record – DFR?
A Digital Facility Record (DFR) is a structured, machine-readable digital credential issued by the owner or operator of a production or manufacturing site. It uniquely identifies a facility within the value chain and serves as the trusted carrier of facility-related data—such as location, operational scope, certifications, labor and environmental practices, and sustainability performance.
As part of the UNTP credential family, the DFR enables secure, verifiable, and privacy-preserving sharing of facility information. It is designed to be interoperable and updatable over time, supporting traceability, supplier mapping, and conformance with regulatory and voluntary transparency frameworks.
Learn more in the Digital Facility Record Overview
Digital Traceability Event – DTE?
A Digital Traceability Event (DTE) is a structured, machine-readable digital record that captures the "what, when, where, why, and how" of supply chain activities. Each DTE links products, batches, and facilities through unique identifiers, documenting transformation, movement, ownership change, or other relevant events within the value chain.
Issued by actors involved in production, logistics, or operations, DTEs form the dynamic backbone of lifecycle traceability. As UNTP-compliant credentials, they enable secure, tamper-evident, and interoperable tracking across supply networks—supporting both compliance and performance optimization without compromising proprietary data.
Learn more in the Digital Traceability Events Overview
Digital Conformity Credential – DCC?
A Digital Conformity Credential (DCC) is a structured, machine-readable digital record that verifies a product’s, batch’s, or facility’s conformity to applicable standards, certifications, or regulatory requirements. Issued by authorized entities—such as auditors, certification bodies, or qualified operators—the DCC provides trusted evidence of compliance within the supply chain.
As part of the UNTP credential family, the DCC supports secure, interoperable, and verifiable data sharing without disclosing sensitive proprietary details. It helps streamline audits, reduce documentation burden, and reinforce trust in sustainability and legal claims.
Learn more in the Digital Conformity Credential Overview
Digital Identity Anchor – DIA?
A Digital Identity Anchor (DIA) is a structured, machine-readable credential that verifies the identity of a UNTP credential issuer. Issued by a trusted authority, the DIA asserts the equivalence between an entity’s recognized identity—such as a legal business name or membership record—and one or more Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) under its control.
As a foundational component of the UNTP trust framework, the DIA enables secure, verifiable attribution of credentials across decentralized networks. It supports authenticity, accountability, and trust without relying on centralized directories.
Learn more in the Digital Identity Anchor Overview
What is a Reference Implementation - RI?
A Reference Implementation is a suite of tools used to simulate how a UNTP solution would work in the supply chain of a given industry. It is used to demonstrate traceability, interoperability and scalability using the specifications of the United Nations Transparency Protocol.
What is a Sustainability Vocabulary Catalog – SVC?
A Sustainability Vocabulary Catalog (SVC) is a globally standardized registry where regulators and scheme owners publish clear, unambiguous definitions of sustainability topics—such as ESG criteria, environmental metrics, and certification standards—so they can be consistently referenced in UNTP credentials like DPPs and DCCs. By anchoring conformity claims to a shared taxonomy, the SVC ensures semantic interoperability and comparability across supply chains worldwide.
Learn more about Sustainability Vocabulary Catalog