VESS Labs to Develop Electronic Certificate System Using VC Technology

VESS Labs Initiates Development of Electronic Certificate System

VESS Labs, a startup based in Shibuya, Tokyo, focusing on digital identity solutions, has been awarded a contract by the National Printing Bureau for the development and testing of an electronic certificate issuance system utilizing Verifiable Credential (VC) technology. This endeavor is set to kick-start in May 2025.

Background and Objectives

In recent years, the need for a more reliable, efficient, and secure means of issuing electronic certificates has grown significantly, particularly for qualifications traditionally issued on paper. The adoption of VC technology aims to digitize these qualifications. VC enables individuals to manage and hold their credentials securely while maintaining privacy. This next-gen digital certification technology ensures that the receiver can instantly verify the authenticity without relying on the issuer each time, thus safeguarding against tampering and providing robust privacy protection.

Overview of the Demonstration Experiment

The demonstration will be executed in two stages. The first stage (STEP 1) focuses on system construction and functionality implementation, while the second stage (STEP 2) will simulate real-world usage scenarios to validate the system.

- Implementation Period: May 2025 to November 2025
- Content of Implementation: The development of electronic certificate issuance, presentation, and verification processes; UI/UX validation; security assessments; and usability tests.

Development Framework

VESS Labs will lead the development, constructing the system based on their digital identity wallet, the VESS Wallet, and the certificate management system, VESS Credential. The project will adhere to international standards such as OID4VCI, OID4VP, and SIOP v2, balancing security and interoperability in its design.

About VESS Labs

VESS Labs operates with the mission of creating a society where everyone can own their digital identity and generate new value through trust. The startup provides solutions that leverage decentralized identity (DID/VC), including the VESS Credentials digital certificate management platform and the VESS digital identity wallet.

For inquiries regarding VESS products or decentralized identity initiatives, please reach out via the contact link on their website: VESS Labs.

Additional Information

Technical Specifications Explained

- OID4VCI (OpenID for Verifiable Credential Issuance): A standard specification for securely issuing Verifiable Credentials to users' wallets.
- OID4VP (OpenID for Verifiable Presentations): Designed for safely verifying the legitimacy of VC when presented by a user to verifiers.
- SIOP v2 (Self-Issued OpenID Provider v2): A specification allowing users to authenticate themselves using a self-signed ID token, presenting their identity information to intended recipients.