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

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.