Process database

The Processes Database contains generic processes used in life cycle assessments (LCAs). These processes are part of the environmental data in the Dutch Environmental Database and are applied in environmental performance calculations.

The Processes Database is intended for LCA authors and LCA assessors and contributes to consistent and reproducible calculations.

What is the Processes Database?

The Processes Database contains background data on generic processes used in developing environmental data for construction materials, buildings and installations. Examples include data on energy production, transport or waste processing. This data is used when carrying out life cycle assessments (LCAs) and forms part of the environmental data in the Dutch Environmental Database. In doing so, it contributes to calculating the environmental performance of buildings.

The Processes Database contains category 1 and 2 processes as well as generic basic processes (category 3) and semi-finished products used in LCAs. These include processes such as material production and processing, waste processing, transport and energy generation.

Access to the Processes Database

A licence is required to use the Processes Database. This licence provides access to the process data used in developing LCAs.

Submitting processes

The Processes Database is continuously supplemented and updated. It is possible to submit processes for inclusion in the database.

Submission follows fixed guidelines and is assessed before inclusion takes place.

Source of international and national processes

The NMD Process Database forms an extensive collection of both international and national processes. This data can be used as a basis for preparing environmental declarations in the NMD. This offers several advantages:

LCA consultants can use the NMD Process Database as an alternative to product-specific process information, in order to create a complete environmental profile of a product
A selection of the basic processes from the NMD Process Database is used as the basis for generic environmental declarations (category 3)

Ecoinvent is an LCA background database and forms the basis for all environmental declarations in the NMD. An environmental declaration is prepared through an LCA study, following the rules set out in the Assessment Method Environmental Performance of Buildings. Assessment Method for Environmental Performance of Construction Works.. The ecoinvent background database is used during the LCA study so that standard processes do not need to be built up and analysed from scratch each time. For example, a standard process from ecoinvent can be used to determine emissions from truck transport within Europe, so that the LCA consultant does not need to determine and calculate the emissions themselves through research at the source.

Ecoinvent in the Assessment Method for Environmental Performance of Construction Works

When carrying out an LCA study on a construction product for an environmental declaration in the NMD, the use of ecoinvent is mandatory. Although ecoinvent is not the only LCA background database available, it is considered the most complete and transparent database in Europe. Because various studies have shown that identical calculations based on different background databases can produce very different outcomes, it is essential that the Assessment Method for Environmental Performance of Construction Works designates one specific database. For this reason, the mandatory use of ecoinvent, including a specific version number, is included in the Assessment Method for Environmental Performance of Construction Works.

Ecoinvent version numbers

Once a year, the NMD Technical Content Committee (TIC) discusses whether an update to the prescribed version of ecoinvent is desirable. Ecoinvent version 3.6 is currently required for submitting data to the NMD. As of 1 January 2025, a change to the Assessment Method for Environmental Performance of Construction Works will take effect, after which ecoinvent 3.9.1 will be required for submitting 'Set A2' data. A transition period of 6 months applies, so declarations with Set A2 based on ecoinvent 3.6 will still be accepted until 1 July 2025. In addition, ecoinvent 3.6 will continue to apply to 'Set A1' data for environmental declarations. These datasets align with different versions of EN 15804.

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Licentie en gebruik - Processendatabase Licence and use – Process Database

Submitting processes – Process Database

What is the difference between the Dutch Environmental Database and the process 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.

What is the validity of my environmental declarations and/or baseline profiles?

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.

What is a background process?

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.

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