Introduction and the Conformity Assessment Framework
Abstract
Catena-X is the automotive industry's first collaborative and open data ecosystem. Global and regional players can connect and form multi-tier collaborations and eventually end-to-end digital twins of their respective business processes. To ensure simple, secure and independent participation in this data ecosystem, compliance with Catena-X specifications is verified and ensured by certificates. This certificate serves to strengthen trust in data exchange and strengthen interoperability and compliance between the various players and solutions. Another fundamental aspect of Catena-X is self-sovereignty, which enables independent participation in the data ecosystem. Industry governance is ensured by the Catena-X Automotive Network e.V. (the association), which sets the standards, regulates the certification framework (CAF) and selects and commissions the Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs).
A Catena-X certificate is based on the published Catena-X standards and the awarding of the certificate is uniformly regulated in the certification framework (CAF). The CAF includes, among other things, the Catena-X standards, the Conformity Assessment Criteria (CAC) and the testing methods. Compliance with these standards contributes significantly to interoperability in the ecosystem by defining uniform requirements for data formats and interfaces. The trust that has been built up is strengthened by the transparent certification process and independent auditing by the CABs. Industry governance by the association ensures that the standards and the CAF are continuously developed and kept up to date.
Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) are companies selected and commissioned by Catena-X to carry out the certification of solutions and providers. The CABs work closely with Catena-X and within the limits of the CAF. They check compliance with the Catena-X standards, which specify the principles of interoperability, self-sovereignty and trust. The CABs thus contribute to the enforcement of industry governance by checking compliance with the rules laid down by the association (initial certification, re-certification and while usage).
Certification is carried out in a modular approach in accordance with the Catena-X standards and the CAF procedure. This modular approach enables certification applicants, with the support of Catena-X, to select the Catena-X standards relevant to them in order to obtain certification for their individual constellation. This flexible approach takes into account the different roles and use cases in the ecosystem, while at the same time ensuring the fundamental principles of interoperability, self-sovereignty and trust, governed by industry governance.
Structure of the document
The individual chapters of the handbook provide an overview of the parties involved and the certification process. The chapters contain the following information:
The Abstract offers a first introduction to Catena-X and the certification.
The chapter on "CAB" explains what a CAB is, which tasks it performs in the Catena-X ecosystem, which requirements have to be fulfilled and how it relates to Catena-X. Following the CAB, the "CAF" and its components are explained. Building up on this, the chapter "CX Standards in the Context of CAF" first gives an overview of "Audience & Scope" as well as "Normative References". Furthermore, the "CAC" and the "Proof of Conformity" are defined in more detail. In addition, this chapter describes the certification objects "Provider and Solution" along with the "Roles" and "Use Cases".
The following chapter "Modular system in the context of CX Standards" defines the modular system and provides an explanation of how to use it on the basis of examples. Below, the chapter "Certification catalog" shows the structure of the certification catalog and explains the individual column contents in more detail.
The "Test procedures" are explained in detail and in addition, it is shown what an inherent test can look like.
The chapter "Certification process" describes the certification process from the request to the awarding of the certificate. Building on this, the certificate and its individual components are shown in the next chapter.
The chapter "Up-to-date status of certifications" explains the update process triggered by the existing standards and through the introduction of new standards, which are considered in the certification process.
The chapter "Other" gives an explanation of redundancy-free information.
CAF (Conformity Assessment Framework)
This document is the Conformity Assessment Framework (CAF). It is the normative framework for the conformity assessment of Catena-X and defines:
- Conformity Assessment Body (CAB)
- Catena-X Standards in the context of the framework
- The modular system of certification with the integration of standards (See The Modular System of Catena-X Certification)
- Certification catalog (See Certification Catalog)
- Test procedures (See Test Procedures)
- Certification process
- The Catena-X certificate
- Up-to-date status of certifications (update process)
- Redundancy-free information
In addition, the CAF defines the certification catalog and thereby operationalizes it.
Certification Catalog
The CAF certification catalog is the basis and the core of the certification. The certification catalog includes:
- CX Standards
- Addendums of the standards
- Application of the respective test procedure for a CAC
- Assignment of standards to certification objects
Modular System for Certification
Certification in Catena-X follows a modular approach rather than strict testing catalogs. The standards to certify against are built up by the Use Case the application wants to apply and the role the applicant to assume in the Data Space. Certification - as standards - are based on Industry Core, Data Space Connectivity and Semantics.