The Nationale MilieuDatabase (NMD) is an independent platform established to centralise and manage verified environmental data specifically for the construction and infrastructure sectors in the Netherlands. It provides a robust framework for carrying out Lifecycle Assessments (LCAs) of building products, installations, and entire construction projects. The main goal of the database is to support sustainable decision-making and improve transparency around environmental performance in the Dutch building industry.

Managed by Stichting Nationale MilieuDatabase, the database contains validated Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), representing standardised environmental profiles of construction products. These EPDs include comprehensive data about environmental impacts over a products life cycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. Additionally, the Nationale MilieuDatabase calculates and registers the Environmental Cost Indicator (Milieukosten Indicator – MKI), translating various environmental impacts such as emissions, resource depletion, and waste, into a single monetary metric. This simplifies comparisons of sustainability performance across different products and projects.

The Nationale MilieuDatabase is essential for organisations in the Dutch construction and infrastructure market, especially as environmental performance registration is often mandated in public procurement processes. Compliance with NMD requirements is crucial for manufacturers and suppliers aiming to participate effectively in the Dutch market, aligning their practices with national sustainability regulations and enhancing their competitive edge.

The NMD provides a critical basis for calculating the material-related environmental performance of buildings and infrastructure projects, providing standardised and verifiable outcomes. This helps to support transparency, compliance, and the continuous improvement of sustainability practices within the industry.

The “Bepalingsmethode Milieuprestatie Bouwwerken” (Calculation Method for Environmental Performance of Constructions) is a standardised approach mandated by the Nationale MilieuDatabase for evaluating the environmental performance of construction projects over their entire lifecycle. This method aligns with the European standard EN 15804+A2, specifying calculation guidelines for creating environmental product declarations and lifecycle analyses.

The Bepalingsmethode distinguishes three main categories of environmental data:

• Category 1: Brand-specific validated data
  Highly accurate, brand-specific environmental data, independently verified according to NMD standards, and owned by individual manufacturers.
• Category 2: Industry-specific validated data
  Sector-specific data, also independently verified, providing a balanced view suitable for broader industry use.
• Category 3: Generic, unvalidated data
  General environmental profiles owned and managed by Stichting NMD, used as default data when specific or sector-specific data is unavailable. These are less accurate and include an added impact factor to encourage the use of higher-quality category 1 and 2 data.

The Milieukosten Indicator (MKI) quantifies environmental impact in monetary terms, aggregating various impacts into one comparable value. This includes factors such as emissions, depletion of resources, and waste generation, offering a transparent, comparable metric for communicating and evaluating sustainability performance in the construction industry.

If you’re interested in registering your products in the Nationale MilieuDatabase or discussing how Ecomatters can assist you in this process, please schedule a call with our sustainability experts or contact us. We’re here to support you with ensuring compliance and enhancing your product’s marketability and sustainability profile in the Dutch construction sector.