Expert Groups & Committees at Catena-X

Objective

The APJ Expert Group drives the internationalization of Catena-X in Japan and South Korea. It brings together global and local members—automotive companies, IT providers, and institutions—to foster regional collaboration while respecting cultural and governance-specific differences.

Current Status

In Japan, Catena-X is building strategic alliances with institutional and industry stakeholders to align local data-sharing initiatives (e.g., Ouranos) with the Catena-X framework. Experts from both sides are working together to enable secure, efficient, and trusted data exchange between Japanese and European automotive actors.

In South Korea, the group is identifying further regional stakeholders to support the development of a hub comprising both industrial and institutional partners.

The group regularly organizes meetings, webinars, and workshops to promote Catena-X principles and value propositions across both regions, while also exploring potential synergies between Japan and South Korea.

Objective

The aim of the Expert Group “Asset Chain Quality” is to standardize and handle the exchange of quality related data which arise in the increasing supply chain and provide an additional benefit to their asset value.

Current Status

The current focus is on reviewing and consolidating the existing use cases and preparing them for scaling, with the aim of enabling broader adoption and consistent application across the Catena-X ecosystem.

Objective

This expert group is focused on establishing a global, cross-industry standard for Business Partner Data Management. It aims to enable a shared master data system for business partners based on data exchange principles. A central objective is the creation of a globally unique BPNL/S/A, serving as a foundation for Catena-X and other open data spaces.

Current Status

Currently, each company in the automotive supply chain manages its business partner master data independently, leading to data redundancy, high costs, and risks due to outdated data.
As of March 2024, the solution architecture is based on the BPDM Golden Record Process, ensuring data integrity and accuracy. BPDM standards and components are documented in the Catena-X Standard Library, while KITs and source code are available in the Eclipse Tractus-X BPDM KIT and Catena-X BPDM repository.

Key work areas include:

• Defining and maintaining the BPDM Golden Record Process, BPDM Gates, and Pools
  
• Standardizing and refining APIs to enable seamless integration
  
• Developing governance models for Value-Added Services (VAS)
  
• Aligning business requirements with the open-source community and related use cases
  
• Ensuring Gaia-X compatibility and alignment with evolving standards such as EDC
  
• Collaborating with other initiatives such as the Company Hierarchy Expert Group and related Catena-X use cases

This expert group plays a key role in delivering a harmonized, efficient, and scalable approach to business partner data across the Catena-X ecosystem.

BPDM Standards 1 BPDM Standrads 2 BPDM Standards 3 BPDM Standards 4

Mission

The Circular Economy Expert Group develops concepts, requirements, software solutions, standards, and data models to close material loops within the automotive industry. The goal is to share expertise through standardized approaches—such as the Circularity KIT—and create new content.

Three core focus areas include:

1. New End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Regulation
   Supporting compliance with upcoming information and documentation obligations, including mandatory dismantling instructions, recycling certifications, Circularity Vehicle Passports, R-certificates, and more—based on the current draft revision of the ELV Regulation.
   
2. R-Strategy Decisions and ELV Lifecycle Tracking
   The CE Assistant documents decisions related to reuse, remanufacturing, or recycling (R-strategies), with the aim of transparently tracking the lifecycle of vehicle components and visualizing their transition into a “second life.”
   
3. Trade of Secondary Raw Materials and Components via Digital Marketplaces
   Supporting procurement decisions with additional product data across the network while creating transparency around supply and demand for secondary materials and components.
   

Current Status

The group has developed general descriptions of use cases and attribute models for remanufacturing, reuse, and material recovery. Detailed information on end-of-life information requirements can be found in the following whitepapers:

• Whitepaper: Information Requirements for Dismantling to Enable R-Strategies 
• Whitepaper: Data Requirements for Automotive Recycling
  

With a solid conceptual foundation now in place, the next step is the further development of data models and the creation of technical and material-based prototypes. The goal is to align the setup more closely with value creation and drive standardization.

Objective

This expert group aims to simplify the provision and exchange of company certificates. By developing a standardized API and data model, the group provides a reliable and efficient solution that improves the accuracy and usability of company certificates across the Catena-X ecosystem.

Current Status

To achieve this, the group has developed a standardized data model (CX-0135) that allows companies to provide and exchange certificates within the Catena-X data space. This model uses the Business Partner Number (BPN) as the primary identifier to ensure seamless certificate-to-entity mapping.

Key work items:

• Refinement of the CX-0135 standard
  
• Alignment of the certificate management framework with Industry Core requirements
  
• Enabling certificate exchange along the value chain
  
• Definition of an architecture for certificate provision and clarification of push vs. pull mechanisms
  
• Establishment of notification procedures for certificate updates and expirations
  
• Updating the semantic model based on evolving business needs
  
• Implementation of certificate versioning mechanisms
  
• Definition of validation methods such as OCR, AI-based validation, and trust levels
  
• Harmonization of validation criteria for different certificate types
  
• Extension of the verified certificate list (e.g., ISO 9001)
  
• Execution of KIT tests with selected partners and solution providers
  
• Engaging market participants to activate solution providers for broader adoption

Relevant Standards

Objective

This Expert Group promotes the data-driven use case of quality management across the entire value chain. Its focus is twofold: expanding the Catena Quality Network and enhancing quality-related use cases. The vision is to move from part-based quality management between supplier and OEM toward a data-driven approach spanning OEM and n-tier supply chains. The ultimate goal is to detect and resolve quality issues more quickly and minimize the scope of affected products requiring corrective action.

Current Status

The data-driven quality management use case is mature and actively used by multiple partners. The current focus of the expert group is on scaling the use case and revising existing concepts to make adoption easier across the ecosystem. This includes simplifying semantic models, improving documentation and kits, addressing SME-specific needs, and lowering entry barriers to enable broader and more efficient rollout along the value chain.

Objective

This expert group ensures that communication between participants in the Catena-X data ecosystem meets the requirements for interoperability and data sovereignty. It defines how participants should interact, which transmission profile types to use, and how to integrate credential services to ensure compliance with policy requirements and data record conventions.

Current Status

The group actively manages Catena-X requirements towards upstream projects, aligns specifications within Eclipse Tractus-X, and defines the CX-0018 standard. It collaborates with other expert groups (SSI, Industry Core, Data Sovereignty) to advance data space technologies.

The central technical component, the connector, is implemented in the Tractus-X ecosystem to enable data space connectivity. The group monitors the development of the Tractus-X EDC to ensure alignment with the Network Services Committee roadmap.

Regular meetings have been established. Current initiatives include defining policy requirements, improving interoperability, and refining the CX-0018 standard.

GitHub Repository Relevant Standards 1 Relevant Standards 2 Roadmap & Planning

Objective

The Catena-X DCM Expert Group focuses on maintaining the Demand and Capacity Management (DCM) standard and further developing the DCM KIT. Its main objective is to improve the scalability of the DCM use case, which aims to jointly identify potential supply bottlenecks at an early stage. This proactive approach ensures practical applicability, business value, and seamless integration across different applications (freedom of choice).

Current Status

The DCM use case is mature and based on a stable, implemented standard and a fully developed KIT. The current focus is on keeping the solution stable while supporting activities that enable scaling, broader adoption, and efficient operational rollout.

Mission

The automotive industry faces growing challenges such as emission reduction, increased recycling, and improved circularity. This expert group focuses on developing Digital Product Passports (DPPs) to make product life cycles—starting with batteries—digitally traceable.

Key topics include stakeholder collaboration, data security, and standardization to enable transparency and sustainability. Through close cooperation among manufacturers, recyclers, and policymakers, Catena-X is accelerating innovations for a circular economy and the widespread adoption of DPPs.

Current Status

The group has published a whitepaper titled “Digital Product Passports as Enablers for the Circular Economy,” outlining how DPPs fulfill three core functions: consolidating product data in a digital tool, meeting regulatory and sustainability requirements along the value chain, and enabling circular business models. DPPs support transparency, recycling, reuse, maintenance, and regulatory compliance in the automotive sector.
The group is currently conducting a gap analysis and updating the generic DPP data model to align with current regulations such as the ESPR, ELV, and other directives. Additionally, it is developing a robust framework for “data verification and validation” to ensure trustworthy data and enable informed decision-making.

Further areas of focus include enhancing the scalability and functionality of DPPs. The group also oversees the Eco Pass KIT on Tractus-X to ensure alignment and ongoing development.

Objective

Develop a roadmap for the integration of Asset Administration Shell (AAS)-based Digital Twins in the Catena-X Automotive Network.

Design and recommend reference solutions for Digital Twin implementation that serve as models for stakeholders.

Define and establish standards for the data space to ensure interoperability.

Strengthen and advance the data space by promoting the adoption of AAS-based Digital Twins and addressing emerging challenges and opportunities.

Current Status

The expert group is actively continuously updates and maintains documentation related to Digital Twins in Catena-X. This includes the ongoing alignment with Asset Administration Shell (AAS) concepts and references provided by the IDTA, ensuring consistency, interoperability, and up-to-date guidance for stakeholders.

Objective

The Catena-X Expert Group on Due Diligence Governance (DDG) is dedicated to further developing environmental and human rights compliance requirements within supply chains. Its mission is to identify regulatory gaps, define priority areas for development, and provide practical guidance for Catena-X members.

Through collaboration with external initiatives, member feedback, and exchange with ESG experts, the group will evolve existing standards, the ESS Kit, and pragmatic best practices. It also supports continuous updates and coordinates closely with the Tractus-X open-source community.

Current Status

The Due Diligence Governance Expert Group is currently being established. Stay tuned—updates and initial results will be published here soon.

Code of Conduct

Data Sovereignty Expert Group

The Data Sovereignty Expert Group within Catena‑X is responsible for ensuring that data sovereignty remains a foundational and consistently applied principle across the Catena‑X Data Space. The expert group provides a permanent governance and development structure to further evolve, operationalize, and communicate data sovereignty concepts within the ecosystem. Through its work, the Data Sovereignty Expert Group safeguards equal participation, non‑discrimination, and full control over shared data for all Catena‑X members.

Scope 
The expert group acts as the central body for:

• Governing and maintaining the Data Exchange Governance framework, including contractual foundations.
• Consolidating business, legal, and technical data sovereignty requirements across Catena‑X.
• Translating data sovereignty principles into standards, policies, and enforceable constraints within the Catena‑X ecosystem.
• Coordinating closely with other committees and expert groups, notably regulatory, architecture, operations, and standardization bodies.

Key Objectives

• Ensure the continuous maintenance and evolution of the Catena‑X framework agreement on data exchange governance.
• Further develop the Catena‑X Open Digital Rights Language (ODRL) Profile as the technical backbone for data usage control.
• Define, align, and extend modular contract components covering data sovereignty constraints.
   

Objective

The objective of the expert group is to establish a standardized approach for the exchange of cryptographic information related to Electronic Control Units (ECUs). This includes enabling reliable verification of ECU authenticity and supporting secure access to protected debugging and development functions through a unified, interoperable data format across the automotive ecosystem.

Current Status

The expert group has developed the relevant aspect models and released the first version of the corresponding standard. Current activities focus on collecting feedback from initial adoption and real-world usage, and on refining the aspect models and/or the standard as needed to ensure robustness, applicability, and broader adoption across the ecosystem.

Mission

The Legal Expert Group is responsible for developing and maintaining the legal framework of Catena-X, with a particular focus on the altitude layer model (“Flughöhenmodell”) and the legal rules governing data exchange within the ecosystem.

The group ensures that legal requirements are consistently translated into clear, enforceable rules for data sharing, usage rights, and contractual structures across all layers of the Catena-X architecture. This includes defining harmonized approaches for data access, sovereignty, liability, and compliance.

By closely collaborating with internal expert groups and external initiatives, the Legal Expert Group enables legally compliant, secure, and scalable data exchange, while ensuring alignment between legal, technical, and operational perspectives.

Its work provides the foundation for trust, interoperability, and reliable collaboration across the Catena-X ecosystem.

Current Status

The Legal Expert Group is actively working and has already established key elements of the Catena-X legal framework. This includes a structured legal framework as well as a modularized contractual approach supporting standardized and scalable data exchange.

The current focus lies on further refining the legal framework, enhancing the alignment with the altitude layer model (“Flughöhenmodell”), and continuously adapting the contractual modules and data exchange rules in line with evolving requirements and implementations.

Learn more: https://catenax-ev.github.io/docs/regulatory-framework/governance-framework

Objective

The Expert Group aims to improve cross-company engineering processes by enabling digital master data management across the value chain. It focuses on sharing comprehensive engineering and 3D master data via Catena‑X to support design, validation, homologation, and sustainability use cases such as Digital Product Passports and Digital Bills of Process. Dedicated digital collaboration spaces integrated with Catena‑X technologies ensure transparent and sustainable cooperation throughout the product lifecycle.

Current Status

The Expert Group has developed the relevant aspect models and released the first version of the corresponding standard. Current activities focus on collecting feedback from initial adoption and real-world usage, and on refining the aspect models and/or the standard as needed to ensure robustness, applicability, and broader adoption across the ecosystem.

Objective

The objective of this expert group is to establish a unified and reusable approach for material data within the Catena‑X ecosystem. Given that multiple existing and future Catena‑X use cases rely on material information, the group aims to develop a common aspect model that can be shared across all use cases. The model is explicitly aligned with the International Material Data System (IMDS) data model to ensure interoperability, consistency, and broad acceptance across OEMs and suppliers worldwide.

Current Status

The expert group is currently developing the core material aspect models as a shared foundation for Catena‑X. Individual use cases are not yet addressed explicitly; however, their requirements are already being taken into account to ensure the models are reusable, scalable, and suitable for future use case integration.

Objective

Over the past twelve months, we have developed a material accounting concept that defines a methodology and relevant attributes for tracking the share and proportion of secondary materials. This concept incorporates both regulatory and process-related requirements and has a direct impact on data flows and cost-efficient recycling processes.

Key challenges include developing a compliant data model, aligning with standardization bodies, engaging with regulatory authorities, and ensuring cost-effective recycling through proactive standard development.

Current Status

The Expert Group on Material Accounting is currently being established. Stay tuned—updates and initial results will be published here shortly.

Objective

The Expert Group aims to foster multi-stakeholder collaboration in the development of vehicles and their subsystems within the Catena-X data ecosystem. The goal is to enable companies to jointly apply Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) while maintaining data sovereignty. By improving traceability across the ecosystem, the work package also sets the foundation for enhanced functionalities, such as advanced analytics based on shared information.

Current Status

The Expert Group has developed the relevant aspect models and released the first version of the corresponding standard. Current activities focus on collecting feedback from initial adoption and real-world usage, and on refining the aspect models and/or the standard as needed to ensure robustness, applicability, and broader adoption across the ecosystem.

 Objective

This expert group addresses key challenges in onboarding and offboarding processes within the Catena-X ecosystem:

• Inefficient onboarding processes: Companies joining the network experience delays and confusion due to a lack of standardized workflows.
  
• Unstructured offboarding procedures: The absence of transparent, legally compliant exit processes creates potential security risks, data privacy concerns, and legal conflicts.
  
• Lack of interoperability: Different onboarding service providers operate without harmonized standards, hindering cross-network collaboration.
  

Solution Approach

To improve efficiency and ensure legal compliance, the expert group is working on:

• Defining clear onboarding and offboarding procedures
  
• Implementing system-supported processes for seamless enterprise integration and transparent exit routines
  
• Enhancing network security through defined rules for managing company data
  
• Building trust and ensuring regulatory compliance by aligning processes with Catena-X governance standards
  
• Coordinating closely with the Eclipse Tractus-X Community Identity Hub (DCP) and portal teams

Objective

The Expert Group on PCF Methodology and Verification ensures the ongoing development of the recognized Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) rulebook, enabling credible and comparable CO₂ footprint calculations. Key tasks include methodological advancement, alignment with regulatory requirements, integration of relevant initiatives (e.g., GBA, WBCSD), and regular updates to the rulebook based on community feedback.

The group is also responsible for the verification and certification of PCF data—an essential step toward credibility and the promotion of sustainable practices within the Catena-X ecosystem.

Current Status

The expert group has launched a dedicated sub-group focusing on PCF in electronics to analyze this domain and enhance the existing rulebook if necessary. In parallel, another team is developing a concept for providing secondary data.
Version 3.1 of the PCF rulebook was recently released alongside the March 25th system update. Preparations for version 4.0 are already underway.

Following the publication of the Catena-X verification framework, a dedicated workstream is focused on the topic of verification. This includes the development of a nomination process for verification bodies to integrate future auditors and bring the framework into practice.

Rulebook and Ver Framework

Objective

The Catena-X Expert Group for PCF Secondary Data Provisioning is driving efforts to boost PCF reporting across the automotive supply chain. Its core tasks include defining relevant data types (materials, processes, energy sources), developing mapping rules, and establishing approximation methods for calculating PCFs in complex products.

The group is compiling initial datasets and developing procedures for regular data updates. It aims to close existing data gaps by ensuring easy access to secondary data—while maintaining comparability and traceability for all Catena-X participants.

Current Status

The group has achieved major progress in advancing PCF reporting for the automotive sector. Following a targeted outreach to Catena-X members, it received important input regarding secondary data requirements.

It is currently collecting data and building a comprehensive repository based on this feedback. In parallel, the group is evaluating whether to develop its own database or connect with external providers to streamline access and integration.

The objective is to align data collection with member-specific needs and enable efficient, accurate, and scalable PCF reporting across the industry.

Objective

The objective is to digitalize and optimize product and production-process approval by enabling transparent, traceable, and interoperable data exchange across the value chain. Fully digital workflows reduce manual effort, shorten time-to-market, and allow earlier detection of risks and deviations. Consistent, machine-readable data strengthens trust between OEMs and suppliers and simplifies validations, audits, and collaboration. Overall, this contributes to higher product quality and a more efficient and resilient automotive ecosystem.

Current Status

The expert group is currently reviewing the corresponding VDA recommendation to assess its applicability within Catena-X. The focus is on exploring how it can be aligned with Catena-X principles, governance, and standards to enable a consistent and interoperable implementation.

Objective

This expert group focuses on handling additional information needed to automate informed decision-making in cases of potential and actual supply disruptions. Its main workstreams include:

• Implementing and securing existing standards
• Rolling out n-tier processes that automate data exchange and enhance the flow of beneficial information across the supply chain
• Developing and implementing new standards and functionalities based on industry needs

Current Status

PURIS is being brought into active use through targeted promotion at events and the systematic collection of external feedback. In parallel, the PURIS FOSS application is being enhanced to serve as a solid basis for future SaaS offerings and self-hosted deployments. Initial success stories are being built to demonstrate value and drive broader adoption.

Objective

The SSI Expert Group aims to guide the vision and strategy of Catena-X regarding Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI), drive feature development, maintain technological relevance, and define specific SSI standards to ensure quality within the network. Collaboration with other working groups and harmonization of cross-group efforts are also central to the group’s mission.

Current Status

The current focus and goals of the SSI Expert Group include:

• Advancing Catena-X credential issuance and onboarding processes to gradually enable multi-wallet usage, with a long-term goal of implementing a bring-your-own-wallet approach
  
• Developing requirements and standards within Catena-X to support interoperability of self-hosted wallets
  
• Collaborating with key stakeholders, including other Catena-X expert groups, Catena-X Next, maintainers of relevant Eclipse open-source projects (Eclipse Tractus-X, EDC), the Eclipse Dataspace Working Group (EDWG), and Cofinity-X, to coordinate SSI activities

Objective

The objective of this Expert Group is to enable software‑related use cases in the Catena‑X ecosystem by providing a standardized Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) based on SPDX as a foundational capability. As a first step, the focus is on establishing the reliable provision and exchange of SBOMs across the supply chain. Building on this foundation, the SBOM is then used to support regulatory compliance use cases, with an initial emphasis on meeting U.S. ICTS (Information and Communications Technology and Services) requirements.

Current Status

The aspect model and the corresponding SBOM standard have been released and are available for use in the Catena‑X ecosystem. The current focus is on building the ICTS compliance use case based on the provided SBOM capability. In parallel, the Expert Group is identifying and prioritizing additional potential use cases that can leverage SBOM data in the future.

Objective

The objective of the Tariffs Expert Group is to develop and govern a harmonized approach for the exchange of tariff‑relevant information within the Catena‑X ecosystem. The group focuses on enabling automotive OEMs and suppliers to securely and efficiently share data required for U.S. tariff declarations—particularly for parts containing steel and/or aluminium—while ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements such as Section 232. To ensure industry acceptance and consistency, the work of the expert group is carried out in close alignment with the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG).

Current Status

The expert group has developed the relevant aspect models and released the first version of the corresponding standard. Current activities focus on collecting feedback from initial adoption and real-world usage, and on refining the aspect models and/or the standard as needed to ensure robustness, applicability, and broader adoption across the ecosystem.