As Built review of project-specific LCA's
In tenders within the GWW sector, the ECI value is used as an award criterion, substantiated with project-specific LCAs. This page explains how the As Built review checks whether the completed work matches the LCA on which the tender was based.
Relevant for clients, contractors, LCA consultants and recognised LCA experts in the GWW sector.
In tenders within the GWW sector, project-specific LCAs are drawn up to substantiate the ECI value. A recognised LCA expert reviews this LCA methodologically against the NMD Verification Protocol. Because this is only a methodological review, the As Built review subsequently checks whether the materials and methods actually used match what was stated in the LCA. In 2026, the As Built Verification Protocol was revised under the leadership of Rijkswaterstaat.
In tenders for projects in the GWW sector, the ECI value is used as an award criterion, and requirements are set for the maximum ECI value of, for example, asphalt and concrete. To substantiate the ECI value, contractors regularly draw up project-specific life cycle assessments (LCAs).
In most cases, the client in the GWW sector requires that such an LCA be reviewed by a recognised LCA expert against the NMD Verification Protocol for the inclusion of data in the Dutch Environmental Database. This verification protocol serves as the guideline for assessing whether the LCA has been drawn up in accordance with the methodological requirements set out in the Assessment Method for Environmental Performance of Construction Works. Under some contracts, this methodological LCA review must be carried out prior to the start of the work.
Because this is only a methodological review, the recognised LCA expert does not assess whether the input data for the LCA corresponds to the actual working method of the manufacturer or contractor in the project. This is what the As Built Verification Protocol provides for.
What does the As Built Verification Protocol provide for?
The As Built review answers questions such as:
- Does the type and quantity of cement in the as-built concrete match the type and quantity stated in the LCA of the concrete?
- Were the stated percentages of secondary raw materials actually used?
- Was transport carried out by truck as described in the LCA (distance, load factor, emission class, fuel type)?
The As Built review is important to give the client assurance that they receive what was offered, and important for producers in maintaining a level playing field.
Revision of the As Built Verification Protocol in 2026
In 2026, the As Built Verification Protocol was revised under the leadership of Rijkswaterstaat, based on the experience gained in recent years working with the As Built Verification Protocol. The update and expansion of the protocol was developed with contributions and input from the RWS expert pool and a sounding board group with expertise in certification and inspection.
- The verification protocol now describes in much more detail the roles and responsibilities of the client and contractor, the LCA consultant, the inspector who carries out the verification, and the recognised expert who is called in when in doubt.
- The steps followed for the review have been revised and clarified, and tips have been added to make applying the protocol easier and clearer.
- The approach to the review is more pragmatic: the LCA only needs to be adjusted if the verified deviations in the ECI are significant.
- The protocol includes extensive checklists for reviewing project-specific LCAs for asphalt, concrete and steel.
Download the As Built Verification Protocol and accompanying checklists here:
The checklists in the annex to the protocol are also available as digital versions, which can be easily updated, expanded and completed.
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