D4.1: Data Interoperability for IUS Digital Tools

This document is a technical design specification for Task 4.1 of the United Circles project, which establishes a comprehensive data interoperability framework for eight digital tools used in industrial-urban symbiosis and waste management. The framework addresses the critical challenge of enabling diverse software solutions—including GRETA for sustainability assessment, TRACID for material traceability, RegenerateHub for waste mapping, and others—to communicate seamlessly without costly manual data adjustments. It implements a three-tier architecture consisting of security protocols, semantic vocabularies based on international standards like ECLASS and UNSPSC, and structured data exchange using primarily JSON formats. The document outlines specific integrated use cases such as linking sustainability assessments with material passports, combining geospatial waste data with process optimisation, and facilitating collaborative knowledge sharing through unified dashboards. It also provides a detailed 10-step implementation guide for developers to deploy this interoperability framework, covering everything from defining data exchange requirements to testing and validation. The work establishes the foundation for a scalable digital ecosystem that supports current integration needs while preparing for future enhancements, including AI-driven analytics and decision support systems.