1. Environmental Performance Verification
General Principles, Definitions and main Actors
Luis Delgado Sancho
Spyridon Merkourakis
Luis Delgado Sancho | Environment Coordinator, DG JRC/IPTS, Spain

2. Paris 26 November 2007 – European Forum on Eco-Innovation
EPV: Objective
Accelerate diffusion –market acceptance – of innovative technologies by:
Objectively validating their performance
Increasing purchasers’ confidence in new technologies

3. Verification: definition
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Verification: definition
To establish or prove the truth of the performance of a technology under specific, predetermined criteria or protocols and adequate data quality assurance procedures (from US ETV glossary)
Build confidence to buyers
Independent 3rd party verification
Protocols/test plans designed to suit specific technologies
Stakeholder input
No single definition of verification

4. Verification: disambiguation
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Verification: disambiguation
What EPV is not?
EPV is NOT certification (ISO, CEN, National systems…):
EPV does not verify against a standard (or minimum performance requirements), but can use standards and modify them
EPV does not necessarily use laboratories/personnel that are certified for specific tests/tasks
EPV does not supervise sound manufacturing

5. The “positioning” of EPV
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The “positioning” of EPV
Available in the Market
Certification
Self Declarations
EPV
R&D
No need for certification, but need for credible performance data
Compliance to standards
No standards exist
Early research
Prototypes, Demonstration

6. The main actors EPV managing organisation Contact Points Vendor
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The main actors
EPV managing
organisation
Contact Points
Vendor
Thematic VO
Stakeholders
Verification
Centre
Testing
Laboratory

7. EPV managing organisation
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EPV managing organisation
lays the foundations of the verification program
Defines the scope, objectives, strategies and administrative protocols
Coordinates and supervises the verification process
Is responsible for the compliance with the objectives and quality management procedures
Designates the thematic VOs
Awards certificates and logos to successful vendors

8. implements the verification process
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The Thematic VO
implements the verification process
Processes the vendor applications
Appoints test laboratories to perform the tests or verification centres to verify the vendor’s claims, verifying their accreditation
Collaborates with the stakeholder groups
Reviews and approves the verifications reports and disseminates the results of the program

9. The testing laboratory
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The testing laboratory
Collaborates in the development of protocols
Develops the test plans
Executes the tests
Respects protocols and quality management procedures
Writes the test report

10. The verification centre
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The verification centre
used when the system performs claim verification
Examines the vendor data and verifies if they support the accompanying claims
Proposes the repetition of tests, if the data quality is not adequate
Respects the quality management procedures of the system
Writes the verification report

11. The stakeholder groups
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The stakeholder groups
assure the credibility of the system
Involved in the development and review of the system’s “verification tools”: test protocols, test plans, quality management plans
Involved in technology prioritization
Involved in the selection of testing laboratories and verification centres

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The vendor
Provides a claim accompanied by supporting data OR the technology to be verified and advice/training on how to perform the tests
Actively collaborates with the other EPV actors, depending on the specific design of the system

13. The network of contact points
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The network of contact points
Establish a relation of proximity between EPV and the vendors, diminishing any geographical distance, language or administrative barriers
Active in communicating on EPV, explaining the EPV concept and the advantages that it can bring to its end users
Their hosting establishment is variable: testing laboratories, certification organisations, innovation relay centres, Euro Info Centres, national ministries of the environment etc.

14. EPV system: different possibilities
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Open questions
Is EPV an efficient tool to diffuse innovative technologies?
Verification or certification?
Prototypes or ready to market technologies?
Verification: claim verification? full testing? combination?
Centralised EU system?
Are there all the actors necessary for all EPV systems? Are there any crucial actors missing?
Thematic organisation: Sectoral? Multisectoral? One for the whole EU for each technology?

16. Open questions Testing labs: certified? Which type of certification?
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Open questions
Testing labs: certified? Which type of certification?
Stakeholders: Independent experts? Nominated by associations? Efficient composition and size?
Role of contact points? National?
Should verification and testing always belong to separate
organisations?
Are there any possible conflicts when a system performs both claim verification and tests?
Vendors: how to encourage participation in the system?

17. Contact details European Commission Joint Research Centre
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Contact details
European Commission
Joint Research Centre
Institute for Prospective Technological Studies
Competitiveness and Sustainability Unit
Edificio Expo – c/Inca Garcilaso, s/n – E41092 Seville –