Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) is the establishment or validation of environmental technology performance by qualified third parties based on test data generated through testing using established protocols or specific requirements.
- The European Commission launched a voluntary scheme for ETV on an experimental basis: the EU ETV pilot programme.
- The programme is intended for innovative technologies presenting an added value for the environment and ready for the market.
- The pilot programme sets out to establish the foundations for a true European-level tool supporting and promoting eco-innovation.
Environmental Technology Verification may be of interest to innovative SMEs and particularly those applying for funding under Phase 2 of the SME Instrument.
- The scheme allows SMEs to differentiate their technologies from larger competitors and ensures the credibility of related performance claims.
- The ETV pilot programme is supported by the EU budget and by participating countries, with the aim of limiting the average final contribution of participating SMEs to around €20,000 for verification.
- Under ETV, evaluation is not limited by any pre-defined technical specifications or standards. Each technology is assessed against its own characteristics, based on performance claims, with tests defined on a case-by-case basis.
More information about the scheme can be found on the website of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre.