Environmental Technology Verification Program

Canada’s Environmental Technology Verification Program was established in 1997 by Environment Canada to provide a mechanism for the independent performance verification of environmental technologies.

ETV Canada is the independent verification organization which manages Canada’s Environmental Technology Verification Program under a license agreement with Environment Canada. ETV Canada also offers a reliable assessment process for verifying the environmental performance claims associated with projects and programs, as well as technologies.

ETV verification provides the marketplace with the assurance that environmental performance claims are valid, credible and supported by quality independent test data and information. To make ETV Canada more relevant to stakeholders, a comprehensive 3-part strategy for ETV Canada has recently been implemented consisting of:

1. Technology Verification (working closely with technology innovators and qualified testing organizations)
2. Sector/Program Performance Benchmarking (based on sector-based approaches to address the need for third-party verification of performance claims and reported information)
3. International Harmonization of Protocols and Test Methods (building on the established ETV Generic Test Protocol and related decision-support tools).

1. How the ETV Canada Technology Verification Program works

Technology vendors apply to the ETV Program for verification of the claims made concerning the environmental performance of their technologies. If the claim is verified successfully, the company is issued three documents: a Verification Certificate, a Technology Fact Sheet and a Final Verification Report; the graduate is also entitled to use the ETV logo (on the specified documentation) to market their technology in Canada and abroad.

ETV Canada provides buyers with an assurance that a graduate vendor's claims regarding the environmental performance for a technology are valid, credible and supported by suitable demonstration test information. Suppliers of equipment-based environmental services (where performance can be verified) are also eligible to apply for verification.

The ETV Program is recognized by Canadian Provinces as an important component of their respective Certificates of Approvals processes.

2. ETV Sector Specific Performance Benchmarking Projects

In addition to technology specific verifications, ETV Canada provides sector- and program-based performance benchmarking services. These services address the need to develop acceptable performance criteria and to establish third-party verification of reported performance claims. To date, ETV Canada has managed the following performance benchmarking initiatives:
• Manure Management Technology Performance Verification Program (MMTechPVP)
• Mercury Amalgam Separation Technology Protocol Development
• Other CEPA toxics removal technologies

Manure Management Technology Performance Verification Program
Throughout Canada, agricultural livestock operations and the handling of manure have come under increasing scrutiny. To support development and commercialization of manure management technologies, ETV Canada, in partnership with Environment Canada, IRAP and the Canadian Environmental Technology Advancement Centres (CETACs), was awarded funding from CanAdapt/Agriculture Adaptation Council for the development of a manure treatment technology screening template, and subsequent selection by a stakeholder panel of 10 'best available technology' manure management applications that will receive financial assistance to complete the ETV verification process.

Mercury Amalgam Separation Technology Protocol Development
Traditionally, mercury amalgam has been discharged from dental operations into sewer systems. More recently, mercury amalgam has come under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) toxics legislation and new technologies must be introduced in all dental facilities to intercept, separate and collect this material. A new market for technology products will result with regulations and by-laws requiring all dental operations to meet certain effluent quality standards. To address this issue, the Canadian Government established a stakeholder group to create a National Standard for mercury amalgam removal. As part of this, ETV Canada Inc. was commissioned to prepare Verification Protocol for Dental Amalgam Recovery Technologies and a Test Plan for Amalgam Separators

Other CEPA Toxics Removal Technologies (e.g., Perchloroethylene)
ETV Canada is also developing technology-specific testing and verification protocols for other CEPA toxics, such as the perchloroethylene used in dry cleaning operations.

Under CEPA and draft legislation first published in the Canada Gazette August 18, 2001, it is proposed that dry cleaning operations using these solvents must meet certain criteria for removal of perchloroethylene from wastewater discharged to sewers. There is recognition that alternative treatment systems may currently exist or be developed that have the capability of meeting or exceeding this level of performance. Through the application of effective verification and testing protocols, the ETV process provides a mechanism for substantiating treatment performance for the regulated carbon based system. It can also provide the basis for the application of alternative systems, including those employing filter materials other than carbon.

3. International Harmonization

ETV Canada is also augmenting efforts to support the international harmonization of assessment protocols and test methods, building on the established ETV Generic Test Protocol and other related decision-support tools. The principal elements of this strategy are:
• sharing of protocols and test methods
• mutual recognition or accreditation of verification entities, and
• country-to-country reciprocity, where practical.

Environmental Technology Development Assessment Program (ETDAP)

When trying to commercialize a new environmental technology, emerging companies often face numerous barriers. Adequate funding, appropriate market research, basic science and a representative data set to support their technology claims are essential components for success. ETDAP provides developing environmental technology vendors with both technology marketing assistance and detailed advice on the required technical performance claims. ETV Canada has initiated this program to assist emerging companies commercialize their new environmental technologies.

For further information visit the ETV Website, or contact

Steve Guerin
General Manager
ETV Canada
905-822-4133 x228
sguerin@oceta.on.ca