Title: Blockchain application in supply chain chemical substance reporting - a Delphi study

Authors: Sukhraj Singh Takhar; Kapila Liyanage

Addresses: SME – Materials Management and Chemical Reporting, Assent Compliance Inc., 525 Coventry Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1K 2C5, Canada; College of Engineering and Technology, University of Derby, Derby, DE22 3AW, UK ' College of Engineering and Technology, University of Derby, Derby, DE22 3AW, UK

Abstract: Blockchains utilise digital ledger technology to enable data to be traced in a more efficient manner than traditional paper-based systems. Smart contracts extend the capabilities of a blockchain by defining specific obligations. Chemical regulations impose the need on industry to record and report the use of hazardous chemicals within products. The process of collating supply chain chemical substance reporting information is a manually intensive and lengthy process in order to identify potential business risks and reporting of information to employees, consumers and chemical regulators. The research question answered in this paper relates to use of a blockchain with a smart contract to enable the automated collation of supply chain chemical substance information. This paper presents the findings from a Delphi study and a proposed 'supply chain chemical substance reporting' (SCCSR) blockchain. The SCCSR blockchain enables industry to implement greater efficiencies in collecting the required chemical substance information.

Keywords: supply chain chemical substance reporting; SCCSR; blockchain application; chemical regulations; business continuity risks; supply chain management; technology and innovation; Delphi method; automated data collection and validation; distributed ledger technology; digitalisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJITST.2021.112871

International Journal of Internet Technology and Secured Transactions, 2021 Vol.11 No.1, pp.75 - 107

Received: 23 Jul 2019
Accepted: 23 Jul 2019
Published online: 08 Feb 2021 *

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