Organisation – Dutch Environmental Database
The Dutch Environmental Database Foundation (NMD) manages and develops the Dutch Environmental Database: the central database containing environmental performance data for construction products, which is used to determine the environmental performance of buildings in accordance with the Assessment Method for Environmental Performance of Construction Works.
Learn more about the foundation’s governance structure, mission, and committees
Governance
Organisational Structure
Since 2025, the Dutch Environmental Database Foundation (Stichting NMD) has adopted a renewed organisational structure, with a Supervisory Board replacing the traditional board. This change strengthens the independence and governance of the foundation and aligns with the organisation’s growth and professionalisation.
The Supervisory Board consists of Paul ten Kroode (chair) and Jan Kets. The Supervisory Board oversees the management’s policy and the general affairs of the foundation. It acts as a sparring partner for the management and safeguards the organisation’s public objectives and integrity.
The role of director - executive is fulfilled by Jan-Willem Groot. He is responsible for the executive management and the strategic direction of the foundation. He implements the policy and represents the organisation externally. The managing director is accountable to the Supervisory Board.
Mission
The Dutch Environmental Database Foundation (Stichting NMD) is the independent environmental platform for the Dutch construction sector. As a market orchestrator, it aims to accelerate the transition towards sustainable, climate-neutral and circular construction and infrastructure. It does so by independently raising awareness of the environmental impacts across the full life cycle of buildings and structures in the broadest sense of the word, based on scientific research and the highest possible data quality.
Committees
Dutch Policy Committee on Environmental performance (BMNL)
Eighteen parties are represented in the BMNL, divided into three groups, clients (public and private), data suppliers (industry suppliers) and data users (architects, engineers, software tool/calculation tool owners, builders and installers).
The BMNL advises on the Assessment Method and content aspects of the NMD system and safeguards the NMD’s independent and unique role with respect to energy performance of buildings or civil engineering structures in the construction sector. BMNL represents the interests of various stakeholders, working together towards a cohesive and consistent system. BMNL has the right to consent on such things as rates, the annual plan, licences and the Assessment Method (following consultation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs). The Technical Committee (TIC) advises the BMNL and comprises experts acting in their personal capacity.
In order to carry out its tasks, it is important that the committee has a balanced composition and that its members are competent and knowledgeable. The TIC chairperson attends committee meetings in an advisory capacity to ensure a good links between BMNL and the TIC. The committee members should represent a support base and are appointed for a period of three years. Reappointment is possible. The committee members have to sign a confidentiality agreement if confidential product data are discussed in the committee. An independent chair has been appointed to safeguard meeting efficiency and prevent a conflict of interests. BMNL meets four times a year in the first instance. A decision will be taken later this year as to whether this is sufficient.
BMNL members:
|
Clients (6) |
|
|---|---|
| Aedes | A. van Stijn |
| Neprom | D. Streijards |
| Rijksvastgoedbedrijf | A. Schrauwen |
| Rijkswaterstaat | E. Hoog Antink |
| Unie van Waterschappen | H.J. van Meer |
| VNG | A. Wiersma |
| Users (6) | |
|---|---|
| BNA |
C. Verkuijl |
| Bouwend Nederland | P. Kregting / A. Srour |
| Koninklijke NL-Ingenieurs | P. Peters |
| Koninklijke OnderhoudNL | O. Spruijt |
| Techniek NL | L. de Vrijer / J. Bart |
| Vereniging van Instrumenteigenaars i.o. | P. Nuiten |
| Suppliers (6) | |
|---|---|
| Betonhuis | Math Pluis |
| Centrum Hout | E. de Munck |
| FME |
P. Borghouts / R. van Beek |
| Koninklijke Metaalunie | P. van der Mars |
| NRK Bouw |
T.R. Hobé |
| NVTB |
N. Ruijter |
|
Chair |
|---|
| J. (John) W.M. Kerstens |
| Observers |
|---|
|
J. Verlinden (BZK) |
|
C. de Jong (IenW) |
| P. Stadhouders (VLCA) |
Technical Committee (TIC)
The TIC members are experts. The aim is for a maximum of 8-10 members, at least 60% of whom are experts in LCAs for buildings and civil engineering structures. The remaining 40% will be filled by representatives with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and/or Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) knowledge from construction sector parties. The members and chairman will be nominated by the Environmental Policy Committee based on competencies. The TIC meets three to four times a year. TIC members contribute knowledge but also benefit from their direct involvement through knowledge exchange. The committee members are not paid to attend these regular meetings. However, a budget will be available to hire personnel for execution of specific regular tasks. Projects may also be formulated in a project plan and funded separately.
The current members of the TIC are:
| Members of the TIC | |
|---|---|
| Boskalis Nederland BV | Joost van Leeuwen |
| Dura Vermeer | Marleen Versteegen |
| LBP|Sight | René Kraaijenbrink |
| Nederland Instituut voor Bouwbiologie en Ecologie B.V. (NIBE) | Mantijn van Leeuwen |
| Rijkswaterstaat | Suzanne de Vos |
| Sgs Intron | Bob Roijen |
| TNO | Kamiel Jansen |
| Vereniging Koninklijke Nederlandse Bouwkeramiek | Arie Mooiman |
| W/E Adviseurs | David Anink |
| Agenda member |
|---|
| Harry van Ewijk |
| Chair |
|---|
| John Kerstens |
Recognised Reviewers Meeting
The Recognised Reviewers Meeting (ETO) is a biannual meeting organised by the Dutch Environmental Database Foundation (Stichting NMD). The purpose of this meeting is to maintain the level of expertise and to offer an opportunity for peer review and knowledge exchange.
Each session includes updates on relevant processes and projects within Stichting NMD, as well as the discussion of substantive case studies. These cases are submitted either by Stichting NMD or by the reviewers themselves. Often, they concern the correct application of the Assessment Method and the underlying standards, or additions to the Verification Protocol.
The meeting provides a platform for recognised reviewers to raise discussion points, fostering peer exchange and enabling the collective use of shared insights in future reviews.
View the overview of recognised reviewers and practitioners here
Calculationtool providers Meeting
Calculation tool providers are private parties that perform environmental performance calculations for construction works. They make use of the data provided by the Dutch Environmental Database Foundation (Stichting NMD).
Calculation tool providers are validated by Stichting NMD and, once validated, are listed on this website. Stichting NMD holds regular meetings with the calculation tool providers to keep them continuously informed about developments concerning ICT tools, the database, and data availability.
Frequently asked questions Foundation NMD
The Dutch Environmental Database (NMD) contains environmental data of construction products and building installations - stored in environmental declarations, which is used when calculating the environmental performance of construction works in the calculation tools. The environmental data in the NMD includes environmental profiles: lists of environmental impacts expressed in different environmental impact categories according to European Standard (EN) 15804, such as resource depletion, global warming potential and ozone depletion. An environmental profile is the outcome of a life cycle assessment (LCA).
Stichting NMD maintains and safeguards system quality with the Environmental Performance Assessment Method for Construction Works and a neutral, independent environmental database that stores environmental data on construction materials, construction products and building installations. They do this in coordination with and with the commitment of all stakeholders.
The Assessment Method for Environmental Performance of Building Works is the agreed method in the Netherlands for determining the environmental performance of building products, building installations and the associated MPG at construction level. The application of the data from the National Environmental Database is becoming increasingly important in the construction industry. The data in the NMD is used in validated tools for calculating the environmental performance of construction works mentioned in, among others, the Building Decree 2012 and certification schemes for sustainable real estate such as BREEAM-n and GPR and is used in tenders.
Developers and contractors are increasingly directed to determine the environmental performance of a building according to the Assessment Method. This means that they have to make their choices of materials and installations right from the design phase, and the relevance of the scheme is growing and becoming more important. As a result, the need for specific proprietary data is increasing. It helps designers and builders make their design choices.
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