What Is the Difference Between the Dutch Environmental Database and the Process Database?
The Dutch Environmental Database (NMD) consists of several databases that together provide the foundation for reliable and consistent environmental data for the construction sector.
This page explains the different databases, their purpose, and how they work together in the development and application of environmental data.
The databases of the Dutch Environmental Database (NMD) support the collection, management and application of environmental data for the construction sector. The Dutch Environmental Database contains environmental declarations that are used in environmental performance calculations. The Process Database provides the underlying process data required to develop these environmental declarations. Together, these databases ensure a consistent and reproducible approach to environmental performance calculations.
Stichting NMD manages both the Dutch Environmental Database (NMD) and the Process database. Read more about one of these databases directly by choosing below or read more about the main differences between the two databases on this page.
Both the Dutch Environmental Database (NMD) and the Process Database contain Category 1, 2 and 3 environmental data. Category 1 (product-specific) and Category 2 (industry-average) data are assessed in accordance with the NMD Verification Protocol, while Category 3 (generic) data is not assessed under this protocol.
Although both databases contain Category 1, 2 and 3 data, their contents serve different purposes and complement one another. The Process Database provides generic process data used in the development of environmental declarations. These environmental declarations are then recorded in the Dutch Environmental Database (NMD) and used in environmental performance calculations.
Data Structure
The Dutch Environmental Database (NMD) contains environmental declarations that describe the environmental impact of a construction product over its entire life cycle. These environmental declarations include data for the product stage (Modules A1–A3/A5, depending on the declaration), the use stage (Modules B1–B5), the end-of-life stage (Modules C1–C4), and the benefits and loads beyond the system boundary (Module D).
The Process Database is a collection of international and national processes that serve as the basis for developing environmental declarations in the NMD. Category 1 and Category 2 processes in the Process Database generally contain data for a single life cycle module only, for example the product stage (Modules A1–A3).
Usage and application
The use and application of the two databases also differ. The NMD is used within validated Calculation tools to perform calculations such as the Environmental Cost Indicator (ECI) and the Environmental Performance of Buildings (EPB). Users of this data can make environmental calculations of construction projects through these Calculation tools. Only validated Calculation tools can currently obtain a licence to access the NMD.
The Process database, on the other hand, is used in SimaPro by LCA practitioners to prepare Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs). The processes in this database thus form the building blocks for the environmental declarations in the NMD.
Submitting and entering data
Data for environmental declarations in the NMD are entered and verified via our online entry platform, which is accessible to both LCA practitioners and LCA reviewers.
Data for the Process database can be submitted using this form. Submission is via the appropriate templates, which can be downloaded from our website. The data are entered into the process database by the process database administrators.
Update frequency, versions and reference date
The NMD is updated daily. As soon as a recognised LCA reviewer approves an environmental declaration and confirms publication via the online entry platform, the data are included in the NMD the next day. The NMD does not work with version numbers, but uses a reference date. This reference date refers to the environmental data available in the NMD on that specific date. This makes it possible to use a reference date from the past, for example to verify a construction work calculation.
The Process database is delivered to license holders twice a year, usually in May and November. New processes or modifications to existing processes are not included in the database until such a new delivery. Each delivery results in a new version of the Process database.
Visibility of the data
The environmental declarations in the NMD can be viewed via the viewer and can be used in validated Calculation tools. The Process database is only accessible to license holders, such as LCA agencies and LCA practitioners, who use this database in SimaPro.
Frequently asked questions about the Database
Stichting NMD manages both the National Environmental Database (NMD) as well as the NMD Process Database. The NMD is a database filled with environmental declarations. This is the database that is used by the calculation tools to produce ECI and EPD calculations. The NMD Process Database is used as source (to draw up LCAs) for the data included in the environmental declarations in the NMD.
The environmental declarations and basic profiles should be reviewed for timeliness from time to time and then updated as necessary. The same shelf life applies to both with a periodic expiration date of 5 years. After this period, environmental declarations and basic profiles must be updated. This can also be done in the interim, for example after changes in the production process that affect environmental performance. Data owners can have their data changed by submitting a new template.
A background process is a process that affects a producer's or supplier's product, but over which the producer or supplier has no direct influence and which occurs elsewhere in the chain; for example, production of electricity or a raw material.
