Dutch Environmental Database

The Dutch Environmental Database (NMD) is filled with product cards that contain general information about products, including name, service life and functional unit. They also contain environmental information that has been obtained via a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The Assessment Method states which environmental information a product card should contain when this is entered into the NMD.

Product card categories

A product card with environmental information is contained in the NMD for all products potentially present in the reference buildings according to the energy performance regulation (BENG). If a need is identified for a card for a new product from the consumer or other market, the NMD can approach the market to draw up a specific product card. Another option is that, following an internal procedure, the NMD decides to create a non-proprietary (category 3) card for a new product. The NMD distinguishes three product card categories:

Category 1

Proprietary data from manufacturers and suppliers. Verification: verified by an independent, qualified third party in accordance with the NMD Verification protocol. Public access: the product card is public, environmental information has restricted access.

Category 2

Non-proprietary data from groups of manufacturers and/or suppliers and sectors. Verification: verified by an independent, qualified third party in accordance with the Verification protocol, stating how representative it is, for example, for the Dutch Market or a group of producers. Public access: the product card is public, environmental information has restricted access.

Category 3

Non-proprietary data from Stichting National Environmental Database. Verification: not verified according to the Verification protocol. Public access: product cards and basic profiles are public.

Categorie 3a

Proprietary data (unbranded) from National Environmental Database Foundation. Data from infrastructure for external energy supply, energy carriers and product maps of building elements/installations to be reused in their entirety in newly built structures. Review: not reviewed according to the Review Protocol. Publicity: product maps and basic profiles public. 30% uplift factor not applicable.

Product card validity

The database uses a periodic product card expiry date of five years. Product cards must be amended after this period. The product cards can also be edited in the interim by the data supplier, for example after a change in production process that impacts environmental performance. Data owners can enter and edit product cards themselves via an online input application.

More information about Registering environmental data can be found here.

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