Public consultation amendment proposal Assessment Method V1.1

We invite interested parties to participate in the public consultation on the proposed changes to the Assessment Method. This round is for the third amendment sheet. View the overview of all amendment sheets to the Assessment Method Environmental Performance of Construction Works version 1.1 here.

From 25 September 2024 till 6 November 2024 , the proposed amendments are open for consultation.

The amendments will become in effect in the Assessment Method from 01-07-2025. This means that environmental declarations drawn up according to the Assessment Method will have to comply with the new rules described in the amendment sheet in the NMD from 01-07-2025.

Note! The first three topics are for information and shown for completeness of the amendment sheet. These amendments are subject to parliamentary decision.

A. Reference to demarcation and new weigh set, removal of cross list

This change is for information and not part of the consultation

There are informative parts in the Assessment Method that are out of scope of NMD's influence. To make the separation of responsibilities clear, references for these parts are included for replacement.

These include the explanation of which constructions and installations should be considered (Annex V) when determining environmental performance and an overview of the scope of a construction work calculation. The so-called ‘cross list’.

The Building Works Decree for the Living Environment (Bbl) specifies which parts of a construction work fall under the calculation of environmental performance. The Assessment Method includes a reference to this in the information sheet prepared by RVO.

The amendment to the Environment Regulation (Or) with parts of the Building Works Decree (Bbl) designates the weighting set used to perform the environmental performance calculation. Table 8 in the Assessment Method gives a representation of the weighting set. This is replaced by a reference.

B. Changes in the context of set A2 and Ecoinvent

This change is for information and not part of the consultation

To keep the Assessment Method up-to-date in the context of the amended European standard (EN 15804+A2) and thus transition from set A1 to set A2, a few changes will be made to the text.

For example, on the effective date of this amendment sheet, 1-7-25, it will apply that, for inclusion in the NMD, it is mandatory to supply A2 data based on Ecoinvent 3.9.1. From then on, the A1 set is optional to supply, but also always based on Ecoinvent 3.6.

All references to the transition period between 1 January 2025 and 1 July 2025 are no longer applicable.
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C. Form factors

This change is for information purposes and not part of the consultation

To do justice to the differentiation/diffusion in EPB outcomes between construction works due to a wide diversity of building forms, form factors have been established.

The calculation rules needed to apply these in EPB calculations have a place within the Construction works living environment decree (Bbl).

It is a policy-based correction, but because the Calculation tools build in the correction, Stichting NMD will also validate on the form factors. Formally, it is not part of the calculation rules. Therefore, it will be included as a reference, to the information sheet prepared by RVO, in the Assessment Method.

D. Addendum rebuilding and transformation

In Chapter 3.3.3, a brief reference is made in the Assessment Method to an addendum for existing buildings (W/E Advisors, March 2014).

This addendum provides guidance on how to apply the Assessment Method for conversion and transformation. However, this version was an initial exploration. Meanwhile, the addendum has been updated. For this reason, the reference is updated.

Together with the Addendum, the Assessment Method makes it possible to calculate the environmental performance of a building that is being converted or transformed.

In time, this subject will be elaborated in the form of a chapter in the Assessment Method.

E. Paragraph functional unit or product unit

Section 2.6.3.1 describes the rules for the choice of functional unit of a Product for inclusion in the NMD.

As the structure of ordering in the NMD has changed, this paragraph needs to be adapted.

The main difference is that in the new structure of the database, there are no longer ‘total and partial products’. Instead, the NMD distinguishes between products that provide all required performances per element/chapter and products that provide one or a few required performances. For each product, when entered via the entry platform, it can be indicated which element components it covers.

F. Reference additional information correct application of biogenic CO2

Practice shows that the biogenic CO2 rules, described in EN 15804 + A2, leave room for interpretation.

A memorandum and roadmap have been drawn up by LBP|Sight and commissioned by Stichting NMD. This explains how the biogenic CO2 rules from EN 15804+A2 must be applied correctly. From the Assessment Method, we refer to this memorandum and roadmap.

This provides guidance to LCA practitioners and reviewers.

G. H3 amendments

In the previous amendment sheet (amendment 5) chapter 3, as part of the update of the calculation rules, two passages of text were removed with the aim of improving readability. However, it was decided that two small sections are still indispensable for the completeness of the Assessment Method.

It concerns a clarification of the use of LCA environmental data for permit applications present in the NMD at the time of application. With a preference for category 1 and 2 environmental declarations.

And a reference to the conditions under which environmental profiles may be used that have not been created according to the Assessment Method or have not yet been notified for inclusion.

H. Adjustment of paragraph in chapter 1.2 according to protocol Process database

In chapter 1.2, a paragraph is adjusted on the basis of the protocol ‘’ Delivery processes NMD processes database‘’. This was written by the process database managers in cooperation with Stichting NMD and includes the procedures for supplying, managing and delivering the process database. The changes in the paragraph below are textual changes only.

Interested parties are invited to respond to the proposal before 7 November 2024 by completing the form below. Following the end of the consultation period, all responses will be carefully assessed and, if valid, incorporated into the amendments. Once the consultation has been processed, the amendment sheet will be published for information.

Give your feedback

Feedback can only be given on items C to H.

Please provide your feedback in the following way:
Amendment sheet subject: C to H
line number 8: xxx
line number 10: xxx