DNV GL and Deloitte first to leverage blockchain technology to advance the certification industry

DNV GL has transferred all its 90 000 certificates to a private blockchain, being the first in the certification industry to leverage on this technology. Every certificate is digitally tagged, traceable and stored in a private blockchain. The technology blocks counterfeit certificates, allowing companies to communicate their certification in a transparent and secure way.

“For 150 years, we in DNV GL have been in the business of building trust, but in the age of digital transformation, there is an increased need for transparency in a volatile business environment,” says Luca Crisciotti, CEO of DNV GL - Business Assurance.

In an increased effort to build digital trust, DNV GL in partnership with Deloitte EMEA Blockchain Lab have now delivered the first live blockchain solution in the certification industry.

“This is one of the first blockchain applications outside the finance industry, and it shows the limitless possibilities this technology provides. In not too long there will be concepts, prototypes and investments emerging in every major industry,” says Martin Bryn, Partner at Deloitte.

As a business assurance provider, DNV GL works in a variety of industries to certify companies’ processes, products, facilities and supply chains to national and international standards. When a certificate is issued, the data is digitized, sent to the blockchain and a digital identity is assigned to each certificate. All certificates are uniquely tagged and traceable and the original is stored in a network of computers instead of a central repository. In total, this makes it possible to uncover fraud and by scanning a QR code on the certificate anyone can through the blockchain verify that a company is certified.

“Putting our certificates in the blockchain is the first step towards building a new digital assurance concept. Our objective is to use blockchain and other disruptive technologies to provide new services and continue to create value for our customers,” says Renato Grottola, Global Digital Transformation Director, DNV GL – Business Assurance.