Apply now! Digital Purchase Order - Expert Group
Become part of the Catena-X Expert Group “Digital Purchase Order” and help digitize and standardize the exchange of framework agreement data between OEMs and suppliers – from paper to production-ready industry standard.
We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Expert Group “Digital Purchase Order” under the Supply Chain & Quality Committee. Applications are accepted until June 29, 2026
Purpose
The exchange of operational data related to framework agreements is currently handled predominantly via paper-based documents or unstructured PDF files – leading to high administrative overhead, inconsistent data structures, and limited automation. The Expert Group “Digital Purchase Order” drives the integration, standardization, and technical enablement of the finalized VDA recommendation within the Catena-X ecosystem to establish a compliant, digital exchange path for framework agreement data.
Key Goals
- Efficiency & Scalability: Digitization and automation of framework agreement data exchange between OEMs and suppliers
- Data Quality: Improving consistency and significantly reducing manual effort and error susceptibility
- Catena-X Standardization: Establishing a Catena-X standard for the transmission of structured framework agreement data
- Automated Processing: Enabling automated downstream processing of operational purchasing data (e.g. P-material purchase orders)
- Interoperability: Providing procurement with a standardized, interoperable, and future-proof data exchange option within the Catena-X ecosystem
The work covers integration, governance, and technical enablement aspects. The deliverables include a Catena-X Standard and a Tractus-X KIT.
Why participate?
- Strategic Influence: Shape the integration of the finalized VDA standard into the Catena-X ecosystem at industry level
- Business Impact: Help eliminate manual, error-prone processes affecting millions of price and condition updates per OEM–supplier relationship annually
- Standardization Leadership: Contribute to establishing a standardized, interoperable digital transmission path for framework agreement data
- Industry Alignment: Leverage your expertise to ensure efficient, implementation-oriented progress
Who should apply?
Professionals with experience in operational purchasing, framework agreement management, procurement data processes, or Catena-X use case implementation – ideally with familiarity with the relevant VDA recommendation(including the syntax-neutral data model and XML-based technical specification).
Participation is open to all interested parties. Prior knowledge is not a requirement, but it helps to ensure efficient, implementation-oriented discussions.
Further information and detailed requirements can be found in the Expert Group Profile “Digital Purchase Order”.
Association Contact: Thibault Grandemenge
How to apply
All registered members received an email from info@catena-x.net on June 01, 2026 regarding the call for applications, including a link to the application form.
If you are a member of the association and have not received this email, please contact the primary contact person in your organisation. If you can’t reach this person, in urgent cases, please write an email to info@catena-x.net.
Please submit your application by June 29, 2026.
We look forward to your application.