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Ways to Participate

There are multiple ways to participate in the development and adoption of the Textiles Extension of the United Nations Transparency Protocol (UNTTP). Whether you're an industry stakeholder, software provider, regulator, researcher, or interested individual, your contributions are welcome.

Working Groups​

Working groups for the Textiles Extension will begin in 2026. These groups will focus on different aspects of the extension's development, including technical specifications, adoption strategies, conformity assessment, and supply chain implementation.

Details about working group structure, meeting schedules, and how to join will be announced closer to the launch date. Information will be shared through UN/CEFACT channels and the project's communication platforms.

Contributing via GitLab​

The Textiles Extension specification is hosted on the UN's GitLab instance, following the same collaborative development process as the core UNTP. You can contribute by raising issues, commenting on proposals, or submitting changes through merge requests.

Getting Started with GitLab​

The Textiles Extension uses the same GitLab workflow as the main UNTP project. For detailed instructions on how to:

  • Register for a UN GitLab account
  • Raise issues to discuss ideas or report problems
  • Comment on existing issues or merge requests
  • Make edits to the specification using GitLab's web-based tools
  • Submit changes through merge requests

Please refer to the UNTP GitLab usage guide. The process for contributing to the Textiles Extension follows the same workflow, with the repository located at: https://opensource.unicc.org/un/unece/uncefact/spec-unttp

Types of Contributions​

You can contribute in various ways:

  • Issues: Raise questions, suggest improvements, or report problems
  • Documentation: Help improve specification documentation, guidance materials, or examples
  • Technical feedback: Review proposed changes and provide technical input
  • Use cases: Share real-world implementation scenarios and requirements
  • Testing: Participate in pilot programs and provide feedback from field testing

Becoming a UN/CEFACT Expert​

To become an official UN/CEFACT expert or observer and participate more formally in the development process, you can apply through the UN/CEFACT expert registration portal. This provides access to working group meetings and formal participation in the standards development process.

Communication Channels​

Stay connected with the Textiles Extension community:

  • Slack: Join the UN/CEFACT Slack channel for informal discussions and questions
  • GitLab: Use GitLab issues and merge requests for formal proposals and technical discussions
  • Mailing lists: Subscribe to UN/CEFACT mailing lists for official announcements and updates

Pilot Programs​

The Textiles Extension will be piloted in real-world textile supply chains to validate the specification and gather implementation feedback. Information about current and upcoming pilot opportunities will be shared through UN/CEFACT channels and the project's communication platforms.

If you're interested in participating in a pilot program, please reach out through the communication channels listed above or contact the appropriate working group lead once working groups are established in 2026.

Intellectual Property​

All contributions to the Textiles Extension (including comments, issues, or edits) become UN intellectual property as outlined in the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Agreement. This ensures that the extension remains freely available for public use while protecting contributors' rights.

For questions about participation or to learn more about specific contribution opportunities, please reach out through the communication channels listed above or refer to the FAQ section.