Filling the Gaps Compensation Scheme
The Filling the Gaps Compensation Scheme (Witte Vlekken vergoedingsregeling) was launched in May 2022. With this project, Stichting NMD aims to increase the number of category 1 and 2 environmental statements. Subject to their meeting the conditions, producers of construction products and materials can apply for compensation of €2,500 for commissioning an LCA.
The third round of the Filling the Gaps Project is under way! We are starting with the following groups: Innovative Products from Start-Ups/Starters and SMEs, Biobased Construction Materials, Building Installations and Reused Construction Materials.
Industry-specific information
Are you looking for specific information about a particular industry? Then select one of the industries in the tiles below. You can also apply on the industry page (without or with an LCA).
A well-populated database is not only important for ensuring the proper functioning of the system of environmental performance but also helps us to achieve our climate targets and make the Netherlands circular by 2050.
To put flesh on the bones of these targets, Stichting NMD is this year launching the ‘Filling the Gaps Project’ (Witte Vlekkenproject). The main aim of the project is to increase the number of environmental statements in the National Environmental Database (NMD). This concerns category 1 and 2 statements of product groups that are currently under-represented but are important for producing an EPB or ECI calculation that reflects the ultimate building as accurately as possible.
Compensation scheme for filling the gaps
John Drissen has investigated where the gaps are. ‘Our analysis of product groups revealed that most of the gaps were in the Building Installations, Biobased Materials and Aluminium product groups. The compensation scheme is a success: in 2022 so much Aluminium product data was provided that there are no longer any gaps in this group. We are therefore delighted that we can continue this scheme in 2023 for those groups that still have gaps to be filled.
For strategic reasons, we are also focusing on products that are released for reuse and recycling, and on products launched by start-ups.’
The ultimate aim of the Filling the Gaps Project is to develop a total of 380 new category 1 or 2 environmental statements to fill the gaps.
With the support from the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, Stichting NMD has set up a compensation scheme for the project. The scheme offers €2,500 for the development of an LCA for a building product that fits in with the Filling the Gaps Project.
If the design of a building cannot be covered by category 1 or 2 environmental statements, it is necessary to produce a category 3 statement. As category 3 statements are subject to a 30% surcharge, the EPB/ECI calculation based on category 3 statements is always higher than the actual environmental impact.
Extension
Compensation scheme
Gaps
Since 2022, with support from the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, Stichting NMD has been encouraging producers and manufacturers of construction materials to submit data for category 1 and 2 environmental statements to the NMD. We are doing this with the Filling the Gaps Compensation Scheme. Despite the efforts we and our stakeholders have made and the positive response from the market, there is still a long way to go before we have environmental statements for all the building materials we would like to cover. We therefore need to allow extra time for a more robust approach to filling the gaps in category 1 and 2 environmental statements in the NMD. That is why we are extending the Filling the Gaps Compensation Scheme until 31 October 2024.
The Filling the Gaps Compensation Scheme has been released in three rounds for five target groups: Biobased, Installations, Aluminium, Reused Construction Products and as an incentive for Start-ups and/or Innovative Construction Products. From the date on which they apply, manufacturers, suppliers and industry organisations have one year within which to publish the data in the NMD. However, it has become apparent that one year is not always long enough to carry out the LCAs. By extending the deadline, we can provide more time to complete the LCAs.
Have you already applied but not managed to submit the data within one year?
Then you can apply to wittevlekken@milieudatabase.nl for an extension, stating the reason for the extension and the time you think you will need to complete the LCA. We will then look at your specific case and let you know what can be done.
The ultimate aim of the Filling the Gaps Project is to develop a total of 380 new category 1 or 2 environmental statements to fill the gaps. To date, 242 applications have been submitted. The compensation is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. A maximum of 10 compensation payments per applicant (manufacturer, supplier or industry) for 10 different LCAs of 10 different construction products or installation components can be granted.
Therefore, if you have already submitted five applications in round 1 or 2, you can submit a further five applications. If you are applying for compensation for the first time, you may apply for a maximum of 10 products.
Step 1
Preliminary application
Step 2
Carry out LCA for inclusion in NMD by applicant including review and publication in NMD
Step 3
Apply for compensation
Step 4
Application is assessed. You will then receive a ‘letter of completion’ from the NMD.
Step 5
Payment made for approved applications. To receive payment, you will need to invoice the NMD.
Schedule |
Filling the Gaps round 3 |
|
Applications |
6 April 2023 to 31 October 2024 17:00 |
|
Assessment and letter of completion |
See condition 10 |
| LCA publication in NMD, rounds 1 and 2 (2022) | by 31 December 2023 |
| LCA publication in NMD, round 3 (2023/2024) | by 31 October 2024* |
* The application and publication dates coincide in order to give data owners who already have an LCA the opportunity to apply for compensation until the available budget has been exhausted.
We will assess your application once the LCAs have been submitted for validation and the relevant environmental statements have been published in the NMD. Experts are brought in to assess the content of the LCAs. Once the assessment has been completed, you will receive a letter of completion within the period stated below.
With the extension of the project, conditions 10 and 12 are amended in accordance with the following schedule.
More products in environmental database
The Netherlands has ambitious climate targets for the future. The construction sector – and in particular the materials used in construction projects – play an important role in achieving these targets.
Environmental performance is an important yardstick for determining the sustainability of a building. The better the environmental performance of the building, the lower its environmental impact. The calculation tools used to calculate the environmental performance obtain their data from the information stored in the National Environmental Database (NMD). Check out which products are already in the NMD.
Compensation scheme
To increase the number of construction products included in the National Environmental Database, we have set up a compensation scheme with the support from the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. This scheme provides financial support for manufacturers and producers in selected industries seeking to have their products added to the environmental database.
At present, manufacturers, producers and industry organisations in the following categories may be eligible for compensation. This selection has been made on the basis of the NMD’s current Filling the Gaps list.
A well-populated database is not only important for ensuring the proper functioning of the system of environmental performance but also helps us to achieve our climate targets and make the Netherlands circular by 2050.