CX-0050 Framework Agreement Credential

The Framework Agreement Credential (FAC) is a technical standard that defines a specialized type of Verifiable Credential used to confirm a participant's agreement to data exchange frameworks within digital ecosystems. Developed as part of the Catena-X standards, this credential serves as a digital proof that an organization has accepted the terms and conditions for data exchange.

The standard enables a decentralized approach to managing consent and agreement verification between parties exchanging data. Using Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) and Self-Sovereign Identity principles, it creates a trusted mechanism for participants to validate each other's commitment to framework rules without requiring central verification for each interaction.

Key features include:

• Verifiable proof of framework agreement acceptance
• Decentralized verification capabilities
• Time-bound validity through issuance and expiration dates
• Version-specific framework tracking
• Standardized credential structure using W3C Verifiable Credentials format

Purpose and Scope:

• Primary purpose is to enable automated verification of framework agreement acceptance
• Covers credential structure, content requirements, and field specifications
• Focuses on data exchange governance between participants

Technical Specifications:

• Uses JSON-LD format with specific context:
  • https://www.w3.org/2018/credentials/v1
  • https://w3id.org/catenax/credentials/v1.0.0
• Required fields include:
  • id: UUID of the credential
  • type: Credential type identifiers
  • issuanceDate and expirationDate
  • credentialSubject containing holder details

Implementation Requirements:

1. Core Service Providers must:
   • Follow specified credential structure
   • Validate framework agreement acceptance
   • Maintain proper documentation of validation processes
   • Ensure credentials expire within 12 months

Security Considerations:

• Implements DID-based identity verification
• Requires secure issuance processes
• Enforces expiration dates for credential validity
• Maintains cryptographic proof of issuance

Interoperability Features:

• Standard W3C Verifiable Credentials format
• Compatible with DID infrastructure
• Structured data format for automated processing
• Version tracking for framework compatibility

Current Adoption:

Implemented within the Catena-X ecosystem for managing data exchange agreements between participants