U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program
What Is ETV?
Mission: To accelerate entrance of innovative
technologies designed to reduce risks to human
health and the environment into the domestic
and international marketplace.
Operation: ETV centers operate independently
as stakeholder-driven third parties. The EPA
provides oversight, review, and approval of center
documents.
Established: EPA established the ETV Program
in 1995.
Contributions:
> ETV helps reduce detrimental health
and environmental effects from
pollutants by encouraging the
purchase and use of the most
effective control and monitoring
technologies available.
» ETV supports sustainable
development by encouraging
entrepreneurial efforts while
protecting citizens and the
environment.
Air Pollution Control Technology Center
The Air Pollution Control Technology (APCT) Center, a verification center in the ETV Program,
operates as a partnership between EPA and RTI International. The Center involves industry,
government, and public stakeholders at all levels of the verification process.
The APCT Center verifies the performance of commercial-ready technologies designed to
control stationary and mobile air pollution sources and to mitigate the effects of indoor air
pollutants. Control technologies the Center addresses include diesel engine emission controls,
baghouse filtration products, nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic compound (VOC)
control devices, dust suppression and soil stabilization products, paint overspray arresters,
and indoor pollution products.
All testing employs approved protocols or plans that incorporate stakeholder interests, and
verified performance is reported in verification reports with statements signed by EPA. RTI
International contracts with qualified testing organizations to perform verification tests.
> ETV creates a forum for industry,
technology users, and government to
explore environmental technologies.
» ETV aids EPA and state programs by
making available high quality, credible
technology performance data.
Stakeholders:
Stakeholders include technology buyers
and sellers, permitters, consultants,
financiers, exporters, EPA, the public.
INTERNATIONAL
Benefits of APCT Verification
Because it is an independent entity, the APCT Center can assure all those with a stake in new
environmental technologies that the verifications performed derive from unbiased testing and that
they are credible, of the highest quality, consistent, useful, and widely accepted.
Developer
and Vendor
Benefits
User and
Purchaser
Benefits
Permitter
Benefits
Public
Benefits
Provides sound science-based marketing advantage
Reduces advertising and marketing costs
Expands markets and business opportunities
Enhances regulatory acceptance
Accelerates new or improved technologies into the marketplace
Adds confidence for investors and lenders
Provides independent, credible performance data
Allows easier evaluation of competing technologies
Facilitates permitting process
Reduces noncompliance risks
Provides access to expertise in performance measurement
Facilitates permit preparation
Adds confidence in control system performance
Improves ability to make informed decisions
Advances technologies that benefit human health and the environment
Increases confidence in continuous, effective control of pollutants
Fosters cooperation between industrial and public interests
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program
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Stakeholder Involvement
Stakeholders Advisory Committee
A stakeholders advisory committee (SAC) assists the
APCT Center in assessing available commercial-ready
technologies and their potential environmental
impacts and provides the Center guidance, direction,
and assistance in selecting and prioritizing
technologies for verification testing. Priorities are set
to maximize benefits to the environment and human
health and contributions to sustainable development.
The 23 members of the SAC have broad experience
in the air pollution control field. Involving
representatives from state and local agencies,
developers/vendors, buyers/users, environmental
associations, consultants, and EPA, the SAC provides
the Center with a diversity of opinions and
viewpoints concerning air pollution control
technologies and their application.
Meetings are open to the public (for meeting
minutes, see: http://etv.rti.org/apct/index.html).
Stakeholder Technical Panels
The APCT Center also convenes technical panels
to assist with preparation of verification protocols
and to provide advice with respect to performance
and testing issues related to a technology. As with
the SAC, technical panels include a cross section
of stakeholders, and members are selected for their
specialized knowledge and interest in the
technologies being evaluated.
Center Resources
The APCT Center web site (http://etv.rti.org/apct/
index.html) makes information and documentation
easily available. Names of members and minutes
of SAC and technical panel meetings, verification
protocols, test/quality assurance plans, verification
reports, verification statements, recent publications,
and other relevant documents are available on the
web site for viewing or downloading.
The Constituent Information System, a database
developed by the Center, includes contact
information for over 900 air pollution control
technology developers/vendors and other interested
parties. To be added to the database—used to
distribute information about meetings, the availability
of new documents, and announcements concerning
technologies—you may contact the APCT Center.
Steps in the Verification
Process
After stakeholders help set technology priorities
and develop verification protocols, vendors may
apply to the Center for verification testing of
their technologies. The verification process
follows the general steps below, regardless
of the technology area.
7 The vendor submits an application.
2 The Center, the testing organization,
and the applicant discuss the intent
and scope of the test.
3 The Center develops and the applicant
signs a contract.
4 The Center and the testing organization
(with input from the applicant) prepare
a test/quality assurance plan for Center
and EPA approval.
5 The testing organization conducts the
test and drafts a report.
6 The Center submits the draft verifi-
cation report and verification statement
for review by EPA and the applicant.
7 EPA approves and signs the verification
report and statement.
8 The Center distributes the verification
report and statement to the applicant,
and EPA posts them on the Center and
ETV web sites so they are available to
the general public.
See: http://www.epa.gov/etv/
For more information about RTI
International or the APCT Center:
Access our web site at
http://etv.rti.org/apct/index.html or contact:
Andrew Trenholm
Director
APCT Center
RTI International
P.O. Box 12194
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194
Telephone: 919-316-3742
Facsimile: 919-541-6936
E-mail: atrenholm@rti.org
Michael Kosusko
EPA Project Officer
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Air Pollution Prevention and Control
Division (E343-02)
Research Triangle Park, NC 2771 1
Telephone: 919-541-2734
Facsimile: 919-541-0359
E-mail: kosusko.mike@epa.gov
wEPA
January 2005
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