A Blockchain-as-a-Service Solution for TAFES-Compliant Verification of Fair Trade Certifications

TL;DR

This paper presents a blockchain-based platform designed to enhance trust and transparency in fair trade certifications by aligning with TAFES principles, validated through a supply chain scenario.

Contribution

It introduces a TAFES-aligned blockchain architecture with a proof-of-concept for label verification in ethical supply chains, emphasizing responsible implementation.

Findings

Supports tamper-evident provenance records

Enables low-cost, near-real-time event anchoring

Mitigates scalability and privacy barriers

Abstract

\abstract{\textbf{Purpose:} This study addresses the lack of trust in ethical product labels by designing a blockchain platform grounded in the TAFES principles (Transparency, Accountability, Fairness, Ethics, Safety). It aims to bridge the gap between blockchain's theoretical transparency and a responsible, real-world implementation for certification ecosystems. \textbf{Design/Methodology/Approach:} Using Action Design Research, we developed a proof-of-concept platform for label authentication. A hybrid architecture records critical events on an Ethereum Layer-2 network for security, while supporting evidence is stored off-chain via IPFS and linked via content identifiers. The solution was validated through a coffee supply chain scenario. \textbf{Findings:} The proof of concept demonstrates how a TAFES-aligned blockchain platform can support verification of label claims without requiring trust in a single intermediary by creating tamper-evident provenance records and auditable certification evidence across multiple stakeholders. The design supports low-cost, near-real-time anchoring of supply chain events while mitigating adoption barriers related to scalability, privacy, and operational viability. \textbf{Originality/Value:} This research contributes an integrated ethical and technical blueprint for trustworthy label authentication systems by translating TAFES into implementable design requirements and evaluation checks, and validating them through an ADR driven proof of concept. It advances prior work by moving from the question of whether blockchain can help to the question of how it should be implemented responsibly in multi stakeholder certification ecosystems.}