We selectively participate in research projects that are independently-funded, typically by the EU or national governments, which align with our priorities and that have the potential to do one or both of the following:
Strengthen consumer information through the development of innovative test methods or original testing approaches.
Expand the amount of consumer testing we can conduct to the benefit of our members and consumers.
Before engaging in a new project, ICRT follows a thorough due-diligence process to check the suitability of funders and to ensure that our impartiality is not put at risk. We also occasionally provide advisory support to selected projects which have the potential to produce beneficial results for our members and consumers.
Consumers Leading the EU’s Energy Ambition Response - Heat Pumps
September 2023 to September 2026Grant agreement ID: 101119923The CLEAR-HP project is a continuation of previous CLEAR projects, funded by the EC, focusing on heat pump (air to water) systems as heating sources.
The consortium is led by BEUC, where ICRT and multiple ICRT member organisations aim at supplying relevant and objective information to consumers when choosing heat pumps for their homes. ICRT is leading the market research and testing package to ensure the selection of the most energy efficient heat pumps.
Go to CLEAR-HP website
Consumers Leading the EU’s Energy Ambition Response, Expansion
September 2021 to February 2024Grant agreement ID: 101033682CLEAR-X is a €2 million research project funded by the EC which further develops the CLEAR series on renewable energy technologies (2021 - 2024). The aim of this project is to empower consumers to drive the energy transition by investing in renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) technologies that improve the energy performance and comfort of their homes. The project is coordinated by BEUC, with ICRT leading a key work package on market research and testing.
Go to CLEAR-X website
Premature Obsolescence Multi-stakeholder Product Testing
May 2019 to April 2023Grant agreement ID: 820331PROMPT is a €5 million research project funded by the EC. PROMPT has the ambition to help extend the useful lifetime of products and to contribute to the transition to a circular economy. It aims at boosting durable design, providing access to repair services, upgrades, and disassembly options. Furthermore, it intends to help reduce resource depletion, prevent waste generation and mitigate associated societal and environmental impacts.
The aim of this research project was to develop an independent testing programme to assess the longevity of consumer products once they enter the market. It also aimed to gain insights into premature obsolescence and to analyse the main technical, societal, legal and environmental issues that lead to short product lifetimes. The consortium includes strong consumer representation among our members, reputable scientists working on the circular economy and European repair organisations.
Go to PROMPT website
Green Vehicle Index (GVI)
June 2019 to February 2021Grant agreement ID: 814794The GVI project is a €3 million research project funded by the EC for the development of the test programme and further testing of vehicles according to the Green NCAP test programme. The project started in summer 2019 and will end in spring 2021.
The overall aim of the GVI project is to orient the consumer towards the most energy efficient low polluting vehicle by providing understandable information and to spark competition among manufacturers to produce real clean and energy efficient vehicles.
The GVI consortium represents a unique mix of mobility clubs, leading testing and certification services suppliers in the automotive field, and expertise and knowledge centres that measure, analyse and model vehicle and transport emissions.
The GVI results will empower the consumer and strengthen the demand side. This will be achieved by informing the consumers through the involved international consumer organisation and the strong link to Euro NCAP.
Go to Green NCAP website