Geospatial Data Sharing Protocol - Tracing the origins of commodities for deforestation-free commodity value chains 

The GDS Protocol serves as a voluntary standard aimed at enabling a consistent method of sharing geospatial data. It is designed to simplify the transfer of geospatial information and related data throughout value chains. The protocol sets forth key requirements, emphasising attaching data to physical goods transactions, using distinct identifiers, data structuring, and deploying spatial indexing systems.

Recent private sector developments, including the EU Deforestation Regulation draft, have highlighted the need for streamlined methods to transfer geospatial information and related metadata through supply chains. Given the substantial data associated with individual products, a unified, efficient method became imperative. Our consultations with various certification schemes and major trading corporations indicated significant interest in a common approach that could satisfy not only EU regulation requirements but also enhance traceability for other commodities and supply chains.

The Protocol appeals to a broad spectrum of organisations interested in sharing geospatial data relevant to harvesting sites for agricultural and forest commodities. This includes private companies, certification schemes, multi-stakeholder coalitions, governmental traceability systems, IT service providers, and other key players like academic or research institutions.

The Protocol was designed with the distinct needs of smaller enterprises in mind. By standardising the sharing of geospatial data and metadata, it provides a streamlined approach for small businesses to efficiently share data, such as harvest site polygons, with various companies, thereby conserving both time and resources. Furthermore, it is anticipated that tools tailored for smallholders, like phone apps that align with the Protocol, will soon emerge.

Absolutely. The Protocol is designed to accommodate the EUDR's requirements concerning the geolocation of harvesting plots. Although the regulation itself does not mandate a specific method for data transmission, the responsibility for selecting such a method lies with suppliers and their customers. It is crucial to note that while the Protocol addresses certain aspects of the EUDR, solely relying on it doesn't guarantee full compliance.

No, there are no licensing or other fees for using the protocol. It is available as open-source and can be freely used by anyone who finds it useful. However, organisations may incur costs related to updating their software systems to receive, process, and transmit data in accordance with the protocol.

While Preferred by Nature will not be crafting specific software solutions for the Protocol's implementation, we are considering the creation of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) or other supporting tools to aid organisations in seamlessly implementing the Protocol and optimising their geospatial data handling.

Yes, Preferred by Nature is committed to ensuring a smooth adoption of the GSD Protocol. We will be organising periodic webinars, and training sessions, and providing online resources, this FAQ, and guidelines on our website to assist stakeholders throughout their implementation journey.

Absolutely. Feedback is essential for the continuous improvement of the Protocol. We have established a dedicated channel for stakeholders to submit feedback, report challenges, or suggest enhancements. Please contact Chloé Viala at cviala@preferredbynature.org. 

We anticipate periodic reviews of the GSD Protocol based on stakeholder feedback and evolving industry needs. While we don't have a fixed timeline for the next version, any significant changes or updates will be communicated well in advance to ensure stakeholders have ample time to adapt.