• Innovations by definition cannot demonstrate a successful track-record…
• ETV provides credible information about the performance claims of innovative technologies;
• ETV provides a market advantage to innovative technologies that perform above normal standards; and
• ETV provides flexibility; the performance claim is proposed by the applicant.

With ETV, each technology is assessed against its own characteristics, based on performance claims, with tests defined on a case-by-case basis. This differentiates ETV from certification and labeling schemes, which are based on pre-defined criteria or specifications.

ETV offers a mechanism to develop references in a market where no standard currently exists, especially for new technologies.  Therefore ETV is applicable in particular for technologies whose innovative features or performance are not fully reflected in existing product standards.

Environmental technologies include technologies to prevent or deal with pollution, to enable energy and resources to be used more efficiently, and to provide more environmentally-friendly goods and services. Examples of environmental areas to which verification could apply include, but are not limited to:

• Pollution prevention
• Pollution detection and monitoring
• Environmentally-related human health protection
• Pollution control and treatment
• Instrumentation and measurement systems for environmental protection or remediation
• Energy efficiency/management
• Emergency response
• Non-hazardous and hazardous waste management
• Site remediation and restoration
• Land and natural resource management
• Greenhouse gas reduction/monitoring

The ETV process does not test the technologies. It is the responsibility of the applicant to test their technology. However, the verifier can provide guidance so that the test completed would satisfy ETV requirements.

• The applicant may submit third party test data (before and after technology installation/operation), that support the performance claim, but the data must meet, or exceed the criteria outlined in the application guide. If the applicant does not have appropriate third party data, or it does not meet ETV requirements, the verification entity will suggest appropriate testing organizations and/or accredited laboratories during the Screening Application stage.
• The first and most important requirement is that the testing is carried out by an independent third party and the laboratory generating the data is accredited by:
  • CALA The Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation Inc. www.cala.ca;
  • And/or PALCA (SCC) www.scc.ca/en/programs-services/laboratories; or
  • Equivalent.

• The applicant pursuing verification owns the report;
• The verification entity retains a copy for its files and does not release or share with anyone without the expressed written permission of the company.

• The Technology Fact Sheet (Verification Statement) is the only public information distributed by the verification entity.

• The Technology Fact Sheet is removed from the etvcanada.ca web site and is also no longer provided to enquirers of the technology;
• The technology is removed from the etvcanada.ca website listing of current verified technologies; and
• The use of the verification logo also terminates. Other conditions may apply.

• Generally, this is the cost of doing business when developing a commercial technology. The applicant may wish to investigate eligibility for financial support from municipal, provincial or federal programs that support R&D efforts where testing is a part of a project.

• Test data more than five years old would likely not be used or accepted in the verification process.