The Centre for Carbon Measurement at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has been unveiled as one of the first verification bodies of the EU Environmental Technology Verification Pilot Programme (ETV) with specific remit for the independent verification of Energy Technologies under the scheme.
ETV is a new voluntary scheme for companies developing and commercialising pioneering new environmental technologies. It is designed to help them prove the reliability of their claims, and provide confidence to technology purchasers or those investing in technologies, to identify the correct innovations that meet their need.
Under ETV, claims about the performance of new environmental technologies can be independently verified by qualified third parties called 'Verification Bodies' – such as the Centre for Carbon Measurement at NPL.
As a verification body, NPL has the responsibility to provide a 'Statement of Verification' at the end of the ETV process. This is the independent evidence that states whether the manufacturer's claims about the innovation are credible and scientifically sound. It aims to deliver assured proof of performance that will speed new technologies to market and increase consumer confidence.
Jane Burston, Head of the Centre for Carbon Measurement, said:
"Standards and regulations can take a long time to catch up to cutting edge technology. Innovators with a new idea that is not covered by current standards cannot prove to investors or customers that the performance claims of their products are correct. That is what the ETV 'Statement of Verification' can provide - a sound reassurance that reflects the actual performance of the specific technology."
There is no set rulebook on what data has to be collected so the Centre for Carbon Measurement at NPL will work with manufacturers to make sure the test methodology and data are tailored to their technology to provide the right assurance.
NPL operates a Technology Innovation Fund to help individuals and SMEs with the cost of accessing ETV. The amount of funding available is dependent on certain criteria such as the technology being tested. However, the scheme is designed to ensure that smaller companies do not see cost of verification as a barrier to market and have the potential to offer reductions in NPL's consultancy fees under ETV by up to 50%.
ETV activities will specifically focus on:
- Energy Efficient Lighting
- Photovoltaics
- Smart Infrastructure, e.g. Smart Meters
- Wind and Marine Technologies
- Fuel Cell Technologies
Notes to editors
- NPL was awarded ISO17020 accreditation to operate as a Verification Body for Energy Technologies under the European Commission's Environmental Technologies Verification scheme, supporting companies in the commercialisation of innovative, environmental technologies.
- The ETV General Verification Protocol and the guidance of ETV technical groups ensure that ETV procedures are the same for all Verification Bodies and that ETV Statements of Verification have the same value throughout Europe.
- An International Working Group on ETV is preparing the ground for the mutual recognition of ETV programmes. This will enable new innovative technologies to be recognised internationally with the ETV statement of verification.
- Seven Member States participated in the design of the pilot programme and steer its implementation: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Poland and the United Kingdom.
- Participants from other countries are also welcome. Contacts in Member States and in Verification Bodies are available on the EU ETV webpage.
- ETV programmes are also implemented in the United States, Japan, Korea, Canada and the Philippines. Links to their websites are provided on the EU ETV webpage.