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Verification Process


 

NJCAT General Protocol

 

NJCAT TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION PROCESS




INTRODUCTION

NJCAT is a non-profit  corporation created to promote the retention and growth of  energy and environmental technology-based businesses in New Jersey. NJCAT assists developers and vendors of new or emerging energy and environmental technologies with the regulatory and technical assistance required to bring their technologies to market by verifying performance claim(s) in accordance with environmental regulatory standards. Interested parties are invited to apply to the program for verification of their technology performance claim(s), and if verified accordingly, the vendors are entitled to use the NJCAT logo, along with the NJCAT verification report, in their regulatory and commercialization activities.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the overall technology verification process is to provide guidance to the technology applicant to acquire the appropriate performance data from an acceptable independent third-party entity, and work with the technology applicant to develop the performance claim(s) that will then be verified accordingly to satisfy specific environmental standards.  If inadequate performance data is submitted, the applicant will be given the opportunity to acquire additional data required for the verification process. However, if acquiring additional performance data is not possible, NJCAT will work with the applicant to develop alternate performance claim(s) for verification to satisfy non-regulatory environmental standards for other market needs. 

THE VERIFICATION PROCESS

Verification of the performance claim(s) of a technology provides vendors with the competitive edge of having an independent thirty-party review and analysis of its performance data. End users and regulators gain a much-needed level of comfort that a technology verified by NJCAT would perform as claimed, which would result in making better-informed decisions for its deployment. The verification process consists of three stages as follows:

1. Review of Application for Acceptance into NJCAT Verification Program
2. Development and Verification of Performance Claim(s)
3. Preparation of Verification Report

1. Review of Application for Acceptance into NJCAT Verification Program

The applicant submits a limited preliminary application, along with an application fee to NJCAT for evaluation. The application shall include pertinent information about the applicant, a general description of the technology, the proposed technology performance claim(s), and the targeted environmental standards. For technologies that could successfully complete the verification process, NJCAT staff will recommend the next steps. However, in the event that the technology is disqualified from proceeding with the verification process, the applicant will be provided with general advice for furthering the development of their technology.

Following the receipt of a limited preliminary application, NJCAT staff under the direction of the Executive Director will conference with the applicant to ascertain the potential of the technology to successfully complete the verification process and conduct the necessary review to determine if the application is complete. This review will be completed within thirty (30) business days from the date of receipt of the application. To determine completeness of the application, the NJCAT shall ensure that the criteria outlined below are satisfied and that adequate data exist, or will be provided at an agreed upon schedule.

  • Technology is based on sound scientific and technical principles - NJCAT shall confirm that adequate information has been provided to ensure that design and operation of the technology are in accordance with sound scientific and engineering principles.
  • Technology description with supporting documentation - To ensure adequate understanding of the technology, the information that is submitted should include, but not limited to, operating conditions and parameters, process flow diagrams, photographs, or video presentations. A site visit to inspect the process could be part of the technology assessment, if required.
  • Technology provides an environmental benefit - This criterion is mandatory for acceptance into the program. Specifically, the technology must provide an environmental benefit and/or resolve an environmental concern. The technology must not create a new or alternative environmental concern by generating hazardous byproducts or pose a threat to the quality of air, water, and soil.
  • Technology protects the health and safety of workers and the public - Any validation of health and safety issues must be performed by personnel qualified to undertake such activity. It is not the responsibility of NJCAT to validate the health and safety aspects of the technology. Health and safety issues related to the technology must be addressed with sufficient documentation. The assessment of the technology under these criteria requires a value judgment on the part of the NJCAT based on the integrity and reliability of the documentation. As such, NJCAT assumes no liability in making a professional judgment on this issue.
  • Technology is manufactured with materials for reliable operation - An assessment of the integrity of the manufacture of the technology must be performed by personnel qualified to undertake this activity. It is not the responsibility of NJCAT to assess the integrity of construction materials. NJCAT shall not be liable for any injury to person or property resulting from the use of the technology.
  • Adequate documentation and data provided by the applicant - NJCAT shall verify that adequate information has been provided, or will be provided, by the applicant to conduct the preliminary review and establish the ability to develop the performance claim(s) to be verified. If adequate information does not exist, the application will be considered incomplete and the verification process shall not proceed until this has been rectified to NJCAT’s satisfaction.
  • Technology performance data prepared/provided by an independent third-party entity - NJCAT shall determine if the data was generated by an independent third-party entity, or whether some level of independence was demonstrated in the collection of the data. In cases where the applicant has sole expertise, an independent, unbiased party must audit the data collection and be able to describe and defend the monitoring activity of the technology. Any party with a vested interest in the technology is not permitted to act as data auditor.
 

2. Development and Verification of Technology Performance Claim(s)

The development of an energy and environmental technology performance claim(s) is designed to be an interactive process with collaboration between the applicant and NJCAT. The combined efforts of NJCAT and peer reviewers are the ultimate reviewing authority. The expertise of individuals retained by NJCAT to review a submitted application will vary based on the category of technology that is evaluated. Ideally, NJCAT’s goal will be to develop the performance claim(s) within thirty (30) days from the date of completion of the application review, unless the process requires additional personnel with specific expertise to evaluate the technology. The activities related to technology performance claim(s) are as follows:

Development of Technology Performance Claim(s)
  • A claim must be specific by clearly describing the minimum, maximum, and range of operating parameters where performance is achievable;
  • A claim must clearly specify the conditions under which it is acceptable;
  • A claim must be measurable through the acquisition of performance data; and
  • A claim must be verifiable in accordance with acceptable test protocols and analytical techniques to satisfy specific environmental standards.
 
Assessment of Performance Data
With the performance claim(s) defined, NJCAT shall conduct a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) of the performance data obtained from testing the technology under varying operating conditions. The collection of performance data must be done in accordance with written criteria, methods and processes to ensure that they meet a specified quality standard acceptable to NJCAT, the respective industry, and the governing regulatory agencies. In addition, the application of methods or processes shall determine whether data meet overall environmental quality requirements.

Verification of Specific Claim(s)
Following the assessment of the performance data, NJCAT will perform a verification of the technology performance claim(s) and prepare the written NJCAT Verification Report. The timeframe for the verification process will vary based on the technology and the number of claims. However, the verification process shall be initiated within ninety (90) days from the date of completion of the identification of the specific claim(s). If the performance claim(s) cannot be verified with the available data, the applicant has three options:
  • Generate additional data by having new tests conducted if the goal is to satisfy environmental regulations. The additional data would be treated as new data sets.
  • Modify the performance claim(s) to suit the available data if the use of the technology will satisfy a non-regulatory application.
  • Withdraw from the NJCAT program. If an applicant chooses to withdraw from the NJCAT program, no fees will be refunded.
 

3. Preparation and Issuance of Technology Verification Report

Within three (3) business days after all claims have been verified, the applicant will receive a confirmation and the draft verification report will be posted on the agenda of the next NJCAT Board of Trustees meeting for approval. Within thirty (30) business days following the approval by the NJCAT Board, NJCAT will issue the final verification report and post it on the NJCAT website.