Calculating with A1 set and A2 set

In January 2021, the transition to calculating with the A2 set began. This transition will take place alongside the new government-designated weighting set and tightening of the environmental performance requirement. According to the current schedule of the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning (VRO) and subject to parliamentary approval, EPB calculations will be based on the new A2 set from 1 July 2025. This A2 set (EN 15804+A2) includes 19 environmental impact categories.

The A2 data from environmental declarations will, in addition to the A1 set, already be available in the calculation tools from 2 September 2024. This allows the market to gain experience with this new situation before the official start.

SGS Search has conducted an impact analysis that gives a better picture of how the scores will shift.

Transition from A1 to A2

Since 1 January 2021, it is mandatory to provide two sets of environmental data for an environmental statement in the National Environmental Database. One set based on 'A1 set' (EN 15804+A1) and one based on 'A2 set' (EN 15804+A2).

In this way, Stichting NMD is preparing the database for the transition to using the A2 set for calculating environmental impact. The A1 set will be used until 1 July 2025.

The A1 set consists of 11 environmental impact categories. With the revision of the standard (EN 15804+A2), a new set has been designated, the A2 set. This consists of 19 impact categories. The new set of environmental impact categories is based on a method embraced by the European Commission.

The main change in this transition is the adjustment of the environmental impact categories of acidification, eutrophication, summer smog, human toxicity and ecotoxicity. Compared to the old set, the new set has been divided with sub-indicators and indicators have been added.

Together with the newly designated weighting set, the new classification and expansion of categories has implications for the environmental profile of the building products and materials considered. Amending the environmental profile also changes the environmental performance of the building material or product, because the environmental performance is a numerical representation of the environmental profile. In preparation for the stricter environmental performance requirement, the new A2 set has been taken into account.

Table: Set 1, environmental impact categories based on EN-15804+A1

Table: Set 2, environmental impact categories based on EN-15804+A2

Preparation period (from 1 September 2024)

To enable the market to prepare for all the changes, it will soon be possible to gain experience with the new situation. From 1 September 2024, in addition to using the A1 set with the current weighting set, it will also be possible to use the A2 set and the new weighting set for calculations.*

Category 3 environmental declarations with A2 set

The NMD will also be enriched with new category 3 C&U environmental statements that include only the A2 set. In these environmental declarations, which are based on the existing category 3 C&U data, a quality change has also been made. However, this quality change also causes the data in these environmental declarations to change from current category 3 C&U environmental declarations that served as a starting point.

This data contains the attribute 'A2' in the title, so the user immediately sees that these declarations only contain the A2 set and cannot therefore be used for calculations with the A1 set. No changes will be made to the current category 3 C&U data (which contain only A1 data) and these will remain available for EPB calculations.

Sufficient qualitative data

Stichting NMD has been preparing for the transition to the A2 set for some time, among others, through projects such as the Acceleration campaign. Thus, owners of category 1 and 2 environmental declarations are alerted and encouraged to enrich their environmental declaration with A2 data in a timely manner.

But there is also extra attention for data quality. With the expansion of environmental impact categories and a new weighting set, the ECIs of environmental declarations are shifting. The impact of the shift has already been well considered through impact analyses. If necessary and in consultation with the owners of the relevant data, Stichting NMD will take actions to ensure quality.