Company certificates are essential for secure business transactions, but managing them across multiple partners can be complex. To simplify this process, a standardized data model has been developed for Catena-X participants. It allows companies to provide, request, accept, or reject certificates through an EDC.
This document provides step-by-step guidance on how to exchange certificates using the Dataspace OS Certificate Management Application. It helps users manage certificate exchanges easily and securely in line with the Certificate Management v2.3.2 standard.
Prerequisites
Before starting the certificate exchange process, ensure the following steps are completed:
Your company is successfully onboarded in the Cofinity-X Portal.
You signed data governance credentials. navigate in the Cofinity-X portal to Profile Menu → Company Wallet → Request New Credential. Select DataExchangeGovernance and Proceed.
You have subscribed to the Dataspace OS application via the Cofinity-X Portal Marketplace. For additional information or assistance, please contact [email protected].
1. Obtain BPNA or BPNS for the site associated with the certificate
For the Certificate Management use case, you need to obtain a BPNA or BPNS for the certificate. Please check with your partner whether a BPNA or a BPNS is required for your certificate.
Site (BPNS) - Upload your site data via the Cofinity-X Portal – You can create and manage it yourself in the Cofinity-X Portal. With the user role Business Partner Data Manager, add your site data under Profile menu → Your Company → Add Site.
For a detailed guidance please reference here: Data provisioning | Cofinity-X Help CenterAddress (BPNA) - Retrieve the for each individual location to which the certificate applies. Follow the guidance here: Retrieve your BPNA for Certificate Management
2. Share the Certificate via Dataspace OS Certificate Management
2.1 Sign in to Dataspace OS
Log in to Dataspace OS using the username and password provided by customer support, or via Cofinity-X Portal SSO. Detailed instructions are available here: First Sign in to Dataspace OS | Cofinity-X Help Center
Navigate to: Plus Applications → Certificate Management → Open App
Note: If the Certificate Management application is not yet activated for your account, please contact [email protected] to request activation.
2.2 Uploading Certificates
Open the Certificate Management section.
Click on “Provide Certificate”:
2. Upload the certificate document and fill out the required fields:
Certificate Type, Version, Registration Number, and Validity – all can be found on the certificate.
Select the Certifier and optionally add the Certifier BPNA.
3. Link the certificate to the site/address:
Fill in the BPNS or BPNA and provide a location name.
Click Add Entry and then Next Step.
4. Validate the data and add the certificate:
5. Select the partner to push the certificate to:
Choose the company name from the drop-down menu and select the available sharing method.
Choose the Method Push
Enable "No" on Discoverability
Click Share Certificate.
Note: If the drop-down menu with available companies is not visible, please contact [email protected]
2.3 Monitor the status of the Certificate Push
Click on the certificate details and select View.
Monitor the status (e.g., Pending, Accepted, Failed, Rejected)
Note: For a successful certificate push, your partner must have a certificate management-compliant asset. If you encounter any issues, contact [email protected].
2.4 Share the Certificate with another partner
Access the certificate details and select Share with Partner
Monitor the status via the View.