About ENTAM 2.0
ENTAM 2.0 is the network constituted by the Accredited testing stations in those European countries which have signed an agreement on shared activities. These activities have, as their ultimate aim, the implementation of standardized tests of the performance, safety and environmental aspects of agricultural machinery and tools. At the manufacturer’s request, tests are carried out by specialist Testing Stations.
Why ENTAM 2.0
ENTAM 2.0 collected the legacy of ENTAM, with a focus, in this moment, on pesticide application equipment (PAE).
ENTAM 2.0 has a well performing cooperation amongst the most important testing stations in Europe performing voluntary testing of pesticide application equipment (PAE) for manufacturers. At the manufacturer’s request, tests are carried out by specialized Testing Stations.
The partners involved
The ENTAM 2.0 testing stations are based in Italy (ENAMA Servizi, University of Turin), France (INRAE), Spain (CMA) and Germany (JKI). Austria (BLT) is also present as Observer.
The countries where the ENTAM 2.0 testing stations are situated, are representing those places, where most large and medium size manufacturers of PAE in Europe are located.
Advantage for the Manufacturers: machine tested only once and mutual recognition
The advantage of ENTAM 2.0 for manufacturers is that PAE only needs to be tested once, and these tests are then recognized throughout Europe. The key to this lies in the harmonization of testing procedures and the mutual recognition of test results among ENTAM 2.0 members.
20 years and more of close cooperation between partners
Furthermore, the cooperation amongst these partners within the ENTAM framework can look back on a more than 20-years-long, trusting, and successful partnership. Building on this many years of experience, ENTAM 2.0 aims to contribute to the challenges of the future.
ENTAM 2.0 and the challenges of the future
In the context of the EU's goals outlined in the Farm-to-Fork (F2F)-Strategy (aiming for a reduction in pesticide usage and associated risks), ENTAM 2.0 can make a significant contribution to their implementation by giving support especially to those manufactures, which have not own capabilities for testing. In addition to the existing ENTAM testing of features defined in the harmonized standard EN/ISO 16119, ENTAM 2.0 members also possess extensive experience in characterizing PAE regarding specific attributes such as drift reduction and pesticide savings. These are precisely the features expected from PAE in the future to provide a technical contribution to the realization of the Farm to Fork -Strategy's objectives that is at the heart of the European Green Deal aiming to make food systems fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly.
Not only tests
The ENTAM 2.0 experience can also speed up the process of developing harmonized standards whereas they are not available yet.
The evaluation/registration of these specific features, such as drift reduction and pesticide savings, are often regulated by national law and have to be done by third parties. Consequently, these investigations have predominantly been conducted at a national level within the test facilities of ENTAM member states.
The vision of ENTAM 2.0
The vision of ENTAM 2.0 members is to harmonize these tests for special attributes so that they can be assessed just once and recognized across Europe.
Specific added value to the well performing machines
In this frame it is very important to develop a specific recognition of well performing machines considering environmental issues as some countries already have in force to better meet the EU targets on the use of chemicals as well as those related to food security.
In conclusion we strongly believe that …
The testing of agricultural machinery together with a distinctive recognition in many countries is the key answer to provide high quality machinery to the customers at one hand side and to meet the ambitious goals of the Farm-to-Fork-Strategy on the other hand side. This will be a benefit for all: manufacturers, farmers and farm contractors.