Digital Product Passports (DPP) leverage Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) such as Blockchain or Hashgraph to provide transparency, traceability, and authenticity for products. This blog explains the detailed step-by-step technical process of how a Digital Product Passport (DPP) works when an NFC chip is tapped or a QR code is scanned on a smartphone, particularly for handmade products.
Step 1: Initiating the Scan (User Interaction)
NFC Chip Interaction:
– The user taps the smartphone on the NFC chip embedded in the product.
– The NFC chip is powered by the smartphone’s electromagnetic field, which activates it and transmits its unique identifier (UID) and URL link via Near Field Communication (NFC) protocols (ISO 14443/15693).
QR Code Interaction:
– The user scans the QR code printed or tagged on the product.
– The smartphone camera decodes the QR code into a URL link.
Both methods initiate the process by directing the smartphone browser to the associated URL stored within the NFC chip or QR code.
Step 2: Server Communication (Secure Gateway)
– The URL directs the smartphone browser to a secure web server hosting the DPP application.
– The server verifies the product ID and unique key from the NFC or QR code against its database.
– The web server establishes a secure connection using HTTPS protocols to ensure data privacy and integrity.
Step 3: Request to Distributed Ledger (DLT) Network
1. Smart Contract Trigger:
– The server sends a request to the DLT network to fetch product data linked to the unique product ID.
– A smart contract deployed on the DLT is triggered to authenticate and fetch details.
2. Consensus Mechanism:
– Blockchain (e.g., Ethereum, Hyperledger Fabric) or Hashgraph validates the request through consensus protocols (Proof of Work, Proof of Stake, or Gossip Protocol in Hashgraph).
– Nodes in the network verify the transaction and ensure data integrity.
3. Data Retrieval:
– The DLT fetches immutable data linked to the specific product ID and returns it to the web server.
Step 4: Decoding the Data (Smart Contract Output)
– The retrieved data is structured in JSON or XML format.
– It includes records of each stage in the supply chain from seed to shelf, such as:
1. Raw Material Sourcing (e.g., Organic Cotton or Hemp origin)
2. Spinning and Weaving Details (Artisan names, Dates, Locations)
3. Dyeing and Finishing Process (Eco-friendly dyes, Processes used)
4. Packaging and Shipment (Packaging Materials, Logistics Providers)
5. Certification and Compliance Data (Fair Trade, Organic Certification)
6. Warranty and Guarantee (Product lifespan, Replacement policies)
Step 5: Decrypting and Rendering Data for Viewing
1. The server decrypts the encoded DLT data using the public key stored in the DPP platform.
2. The decrypted data is sent back to the smartphone browser.
3. The smartphone dynamically renders the data into an easy-to-read interface through HTML and CSS.
Step 6: Verification of Authenticity
– The DPP checks the hash value stored on the DLT ledger against the retrieved data.
– Any tampering attempts are flagged immediately, maintaining trust and authenticity.
– The immutable nature of DLT ensures that data cannot be altered after it is recorded.
Step 7: Displaying the Full Supply Chain Path
The smartphone displays the following information:
– Interactive Timeline: Each stage of production is visualized as milestones.
– Maps and Geolocation: Origin and journey of materials displayed visually.
– Certifications: Interactive tabs showing digital certificates.
– Artisan Profiles: Photos, names, and bios of weavers or artisans.
– Warranty Details: Period and terms of warranty displayed.
– Environmental Impact: Carbon footprint and water usage details.
Step 8: User Feedback and Reviews (Optional)
– Users can provide feedback or rate the product directly through the DPP interface.
– The feedback is encrypted and stored on the DLT for transparency and improvement tracking.
Technical Flow:
[User Taps NFC / Scans QR Code] → [URL Redirect] → [Secure Server Access] → [DLT Smart Contract Trigger] → [Consensus Mechanism Validation] → [Retrieve Immutable Data] → [Decrypt and Render Data] → [Display Supply Chain Information]
Security Features
1. Encryption: Data is encrypted end-to-end to prevent unauthorized access.
2. Immutability: DLT ensures data cannot be altered post-recording.
3. Multi-Factor Authentication: Optional security steps for additional verification.
4. Audit Trails: Every transaction is logged and accessible for audits.
Conclusion
By leveraging DPP and DLT technologies, the entire lifecycle of handmade products can be made transparent, traceable, and tamper-proof. Customers can validate the authenticity and sustainability of their purchases simply by tapping an NFC chip or scanning a QR code. This process not only empowers consumers with trust but also sets new standards for transparency and accountability in the textile industry.
This implementation paves the way for ethical consumption, ensuring that every product tells its story from seed to shelf in an unalterable and interactive format.