Verification of Technologies Used for the Production of Drinking Water in Canada

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1 Verification of Technologies Used for the Production of Drinking Water in Canada Paul Jiapizian Environment Canada Jim Ferrero BNQ Standards Development 16 th Canadian National Drinking Water Conference October 27, 2014

2 Outline Description and benefits of ETV National projects and initiatives Drinking water technology verification in Quebec Harmonization of two verification processes Development of an ISO standard Summary

3 What is Environmental Technology Verification (ETV)? Validation of environmental technology performance by qualified third parties based on test data generated by protocols or specific requirements ETV supports the advancement of innovative environmental technologies in order to meet environmental priorities. ETV process is a holistic approach and addresses different sectors: residual waste, wastewater, air pollutants, etc.

4 Benefits of ETV ETV is beneficial for Vendors (eg. Nelson Enviro.) Governments (eg. Green Mining Initiative) Purchasers (eg. Toronto street sweepers) Enhanced credibility and acceptance of verified environmental technologies, both nationally and internationally Reduced risk for buyers and end users when investing in new and innovative environmental technologies Faster and more widespread adoption of technologies to help solve environmental challenges Development of performance criteria for innovative technologies with the engagement of technology experts, industry and government

5 Canadian ETV Program Established in 1997 by Environment Canada Technical side of the ETV Program is managed by an independent third party (Delivery Agent) The GLOBE Foundation selected in October 2012 as the Delivery Agent Globe Performance Solutions (GPS) mandated by The GLOBE Foundation to manage the Canadian ETV Program Delivery Agent uses a distributed network of qualified independent verification organizations and technical experts Environment Canada Responsible for the management of the national program Manages Canada s international ETV activities Management oversight of the Delivery Agent (GPS)

6 National projects and initiatives Develop and establish specific protocols in priority sectors to meet the needs of users and governments Discuss with all levels of government (federal, provincial, municipal) to increase acceptance of ETV in approvals processes and reduce duplication of technology testing Agreement between GPS and the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ) Harmonization of the verification process of drinking water and domestic wastewater technologies between EC s General Verification Protocol and Quebec s protocols First reciprocity process with a Provincial organization

7 BNQ: Part of the International and National Standards System ISO / IEC UNITED STATES ANSI FRANCE AFNOR CANADA SCC ~ 162 members CGSB CSA ULC Standardization (> 200 standards) Certification (> 50 programs) Registration (> 800 companies)

8 Drinking water treatment technology verification in Quebec In 2000, the Quebec Government set up a technical committee made up of engineers from the MDDELCC and MAMOT with the objective of implementing compulsory verification of the performance of drinking water treatment technologies. In 2003, they developed a verification procedure, latest version is available on the MDDELCC website ( In January 2014, the BNQ was mandated by the Quebec government to administer the approval process for both drinking water and domestic wastewater technologies. MDDELCC = Ministère du Développement durable, Environnement et Lutte contre les changements climatiques MAMOT = Ministère Affaires municipales et Occupation du territoire

9 Harmonizing the two processes for verifying treatment technologies In order for the two verification processes to be compatible, the following points were agreed to: Quebec technical fact sheets will be valid for three years. Quebec will require the verification data to be less than five years old at the time of submission. ETV will use a specific verification protocol based on the Quebec verification procedure. ETV will accept the Quebec process for accreditation of laboratories as equivalent to the requirements of ISO ETV will require that the analyses report for treatment technologies be approved by a professional engineer.

10 The two processes for verifying drinking water technologies

11 Development of the specific protocol for drinking water ETV Canada Website ( On the ETV website Protocols and Procedures ETV General Test Protocol 5) Protocol for Performance Testing of Drinking Water Treatment Technologies** ** There is a 60 day notification period ending Dec. 1 st, during which time comments may be submitted.

12 International Working Group (IWG) on ETV Established in May 2008 Signature of Statement of Intent Objectives Establish mutual recognition of ETV Programs among participating countries Jointly develop verification procedures and verify technologies of common interest Investigate development of an international ISO standard for ETV and accreditation of organizations involved in the program Engage stakeholders to facilitate international cooperation Organize international meetings, workshops and forums in areas of common interests Members: Philippines (current Chair and Secretariat), European Union, Republic of Korea, Canada Verify Once Accepted Everywhere Observers: USA, Japan, China, Cambodia, Malaysia

13 Development of an ISO standard Approval of New Work Item Proposal February 2013 Production of first Committee Draft July 2014 Production of first Draft International Standard July 2015 Production of Final Draft International Standard November 2015 Publication of ISO

14 Summary Building on the synergies of the Canadian ETV Program and Quebec s approval process, this collaborative effort is intended to: - Increase national recognition and acceptance of effective drinking water treatment technologies across Canada; - Establish a common approach to testing and verifying the performance of drinking water treatment technologies; - Improve and streamline the verification process for innovative drinking water technologies; and - Facilitate pan-canadian market access for innovative technology and solution providers.

15 Thank you! Merci!

16 Annexes

17 Verification in Quebec Quebec has approved more that 50 Technical Fact Sheets for drinking water treatment technologies: 33 for membrane filtration, 14 UV disinfection systems, 6 other technologies. The latest version of Quebec s verification protocol is September 2014 and is available on the website of the MDDELCC in both languages at The BNQ administrative procedures: BNQ and BNQ can be found on the BNQ website ( or via the website of the MDDELCC.

18 Initial Steps in the Development of an ISO-ETV Standard One of the main objectives of the IWG to reach mutual recognition on ETV Increase stakeholders acceptance and credibility of process Reduce trade barriers (nationally and internationally) Assisted by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), Canada led the development of a proposal to develop a new ISO-ETV standard Environment Canada has an MOU with SCC since 2008 to provide guidance and help on the standardization process and the necessary steps for the development of an ISO standard ISO-ETV Standard will define and describe all phases of the ETV process In collaboration with SCC and the IWG, the New Work Item Proposal (NWIP) was drafted in 2012 Canadian stakeholders consulted to get support on proposal

19 Recent Progress 5 th IWG Meeting Stuttgart, Germany February 2009 AdvanceETV meeting and Conference Brussels, Belgium October th IWG meeting Brussels, Belgium May 2012 First ISO working group meeting, Gaborone, Botswana June International Mutual Recognition of ETV 6 th IWG meeting and ETV Forum Manila, Philippines November th IWG meeting Bilbao, Spain October th IWG meeting and ETV Forum, Seoul, Republic of Korea September th IWG meeting and 2 nd ISO working group meeting, Ottawa, Canada November 2013