Pagina 1 van 89 Assessment Method Environmental Performance Construction and Civil Engineering Works(GWW) Calculation method for the assessment of the environmental performance of construction and civil engineering works (GWW) over their entire service life, based on EN 15804. Stichting Bouwkwaliteit Visseringlaan 22b 2288 ER Rijswijk Telephone: 070-3072929 Website: www.bouwkwaliteit.nl www.milieudatabase.nl Version 2.0 Definitive November 2014
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Pagina 1 van 89
Assessment Method
Environmental Performance
Construction and
Civil Engineering
Works(GWW)
Calculation method for the assessment of the environmental performance of construction and civil
engineering works (GWW) over their entire service life, based on EN 15804.
INDEX ...................................................................................................................................................... 2
1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 4 1.1. Of general interest .................................................................................................................... 4 1.2. National Environment Database ............................................................................................... 5 1.3. Verification Protocol ......................................................... Fout! Bladwijzer niet gedefinieerd.
2. METHODIC REQUIREMENTS (EN 15804) ..................................................................................... 8 2.1. Scope (EN 15804 1 Scope) ...................................................................................................... 8 2.2. Normative references (EN 15804 2 Normative references) ..................................................... 8
2.3. Terms and definitions (EN 15804 3 Terms and definitions) ..................................................... 9 2.4. Abbreviations (EN 15804 4 Abbreviations) .............................................................................. 9 2.5. General aspects (EN 15804 5 General aspects)...................................................................... 9 2.6. Product category rules used for the LCA (EN 15804 6 PCR) ................................................ 11 2.7. Content of the EPD (EN 15804 7 Content of the EPD) .......................................................... 29
2.8. Project report (EN 15804 8 Project report) ............................................................................. 31 2.9. Verification and validity of an EPD (EN 15804 9 Verification and validity of an EPD) ........... 34
3. CONSTRUCTION AND CIVIL ENGINEERING WORK CALCULATION ....................................... 35 3.1. Of general interest .................................................................................................................. 35 3.2. Use of product information ..................................................................................................... 35 3.3. Reference service life ............................................................................................................. 35 3.4. Multiplication factor used for raising category 3 data ............................................................. 36 3.5. Weighing of environmental impact scores .............................................................................. 36
3.6. Key Environmental Indicators ................................................................................................. 37 3.7. Calculation rules for the use in instruments ........................................................................... 38
4. LITERATURE .................................................................................................................................. 40
APPENDIX A. TERMS, DEFINITIONS, AND ABBREVIATIONS .......................................................... 42
APPENDIX B. DEFAULT VALUES FOR WASTE SCENARIOS ........................................................... 54
APPENDIX C. SYSTEM BOUNDARIES ............................................................................................... 56 Production stage (A1-A3) ............................................................................................................... 56
Transportation stage and construction / installation / implementation (A4-A5) .............................. 57 Utilization and maintenance stage (B1-B5) .................................................................................... 57 Demolition and processing stage (C1-C4) ...................................................................................... 58 Environmental burdens and benefits of recycling and product re-use (D) ..................................... 59
APPENDIX D. OVERVIEW CONSTRUCTION AND CONSTRUCTION WORK COMPONENTS........ 60
APPENDIX E. DATA QUALITY SYSTEM FOR PROCESS ASSESSMENT ........................................ 65
APPENDIX E (CONT.) EMPTY SCORE TABLES DATA QUALITY ASSESSMENT ............................ 75
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APPENDIX F ASSESSMENT OF VALUE OF GOODS, SERVICES AND THE TO-BE PROCESSED
SBK “Stichting Bouwkwaliteit” (Institution for Construction Quality)
2.5. General aspects (EN 15804 5 General aspects)
2.5.1. Goal
EN 15804 is applicable.
2.5.2. Types of EPD with respect to life cycle stages covered
In addition to the EN 15804, the, on a LCA based, information in an EPD includes the following life cycle
stages (see figure 1):
either:
The production stage, transportation to the construction site and the demolition and processing stage,
together with module D; the potential effects (loads and benefits) as a result of recycling and recovery
beyond the life cycle of a construction work. In addition to the EN 15804, this EPD also includes the
demolition and processing stage and the effects of recycling and re-use beyond the life cycle of the
construction, unless the EPD relates to a raw material, and there is no base profile established for the
construction, the use, the demolition and the processing stage (e.g. concrete)
or:
The complete life cycle of the construction, together with module D, the effects of recycling and recovery or
re-use beyond the life cycle of the construction work. This is in accordance with EN 15804, which means
that module D is mandatory. If the LCA information for the specific EPD is not available, the default values
for the utilization and maintenance stage of the construction work can be used.
The information for each life cycle stage is partitioned in accordance with EN 15804 into a significant
number of information modules: for example, for stage A, the production stages are this: A1, A2, A3, A4
and A5.
For the inclusion into the National Environment Database, base profiles have to be supplied for all life cycle
stages. In the case that there is no available information for one or more life cycle stages in the EPD, a
choice can be made from the currently available base profiles in the product card in the NMD.
Pagina 10 van 89
Figure 2. Life cycle stages EPD
BUILDING LIFE CYCLE INFORMATION
BUILDING ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
CONSTRUCTION
STAGE
A 4 - 5
Tra
nsp
ort
at
Scenario
Const
ruct
ion
and
inst
alla
tion p
roces
A5
Scenario
A4
USE STAGE
B 1 - 7
Use
B1
Ma
inte
na
nce
B2
Re
pair
B3
Re
pla
cem
en
t
B4
Scenario Scenario Scenario
Re
furb
ish
me
nt
B5
Scenario
B6 Operational energy use
Scenario
B7 Operational water use
Scenario
Benefits and loads
beyond the system
boundary
D
Reuse- recovery
Recycling-potential
SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION BEYOND
THE BUILDING LIFE
CYCLE
A 1 - 3
Rra
w m
ate
ria
ls
sup
ply
A1
Tra
nsp
ort
at
A2
Ma
nu
fact
urin
g
A3
PRODUCTION
STAGE
Mandatory
Mandatory
Mandatory
Mandatory (excluding B6 and B7)
Mandatory
Mandatory
Mandatory
Mandatory
Cradle to gate
declared unit
Cradle to gate
with option
Declared unit/
Functional unit
EP
D
END OF LIFE STAGE
C 1 - 4
De-c
on
stru
ctio
n
De
mo
litio
n
Scenario
C1
Tra
nsp
ort
at
C2
Dis
po
sal
C3
Wa
ste
pro
cess
ing
C4
Scenario Scenario Scenario
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2.5.3. Comparability of EPD for construction products
EN 15804 is applicable.
2.5.4. Additional information
EN 15804 is applicable.
The Assessment Method also gives directions for the necessary information in NMD base profiles and
product cards / item cards. See paragraph 2.8.2.2.
2.5.5. Ownership, responsibility and liability
EN 15804 is applicable.
2.5.6. Communication formats
For inclusion of the environmental data in the NMD, specific formats are prescribed for the base profiles
and the product cards / item cards in 2.8.2.2.
For your information: MRPI-certificates have a prescribed format in the MRPI Verification Protocols.
2.6. Product category rules for LCA (EN 15804 6 PCR)
2.6.1. Product category
EN 15804 is applicable.
2.6.2. Life cycle stages and their information modules to be included
EN 15804 is applicable.
2.6.3. Calculation rules for the LCA
The reference unit of EPDs can relate to a declared unit or to a functional unit. At a minimum, an EPD has
to relate to the processes involved in the extraction of raw materials all the way up to and including the
production of the product (A1, A2, A3) and the demolition and processing stage (“cradle-to-gate and end-
of-life”) (C3, C4, D) and can be expanded with different life cycle stages (“cradle-to-gate”) or (“cradle-to-
gate with options”) based on scenarios.
2.6.3.1. Functional unit
The EN 15804 is applicable.
With regard to the choice of the functional unit for inclusion of the environmental information from the EPD
in the NMD, affiliation with the construction and civil engineering work components in the NMD is required.
In the case that the proposed functional unit does not exist within the related product category in the NMD,
a request can be submitted (for construction components) to the SBK to include a new functional unit.
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Example: An example of a functional unit is: An inclined plane with a minimal angle of inclination of 20º, which,
at a minimum, meets the requirements of the “Bouwbesluit” (Building Code), with a functional service
life of 75 years, expressed per m2.
In the case of a functional unit:
a product description of the construction product or the construction or civil engineering work
component, subject of the environmental declaration, has to be established;
the quantity of the construction product or the construction or the civil engineering work component
are quantified, including any possible aid materials and such.
Descriptions in certificates or attests of the construction product or the civil engineering work component
function as guidelines and so do descriptions in branch-wide accepted documents, guidelines, methods
and systematics.
Note 1: Certificates and attests can both be declarations issued by third parties or declarations from
manufacturers. The performance declaration is also an important frame of reference.
Note 2: Common systematics in the civil engineering work sector are the “Standaard RAW-Bepalingen”
(Standard RAW-Assessments), “CUR-Aanbevelingen” (CUR-Recommendations) and publications of
CROW.
2.6.3.2. Declared unit
The EN 15804 is applicable.
The available environmental data have to be supplemented with data from all life cycle stages before
inclusion of the environmental information from the EPD into the NMD. In the case that, for several life
cycle stages, there is no available information in the EPD, a choice can be made out of the currently
available base profiles in the product card in the NMD. Information modules B6 and B7 (see figure 2) are
not required here.
The declared unit has to be measurable and include:
— a description of the construction product or construction or civil engineering work component;
— a specification of the construction product or construction or civil engineering work component;
— if applicable, the possible application areas, expressed in quality classes if so required, with, if relevant,
the empirical service life of the construction product or construction or civil engineering work component
per application area;
— the quantity of the construction product, expressed in a SI-unit or a combination of SI-units.
Descriptions in certificates or attests of the construction product or construction or civil engineering work
component are directive and so do descriptions in branch-wide accepted documents, guidelines, methods
and systematics.
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2.6.3.3. Reference service life
The reference service life is supported by the declaration from the producer. In case this is not available,
the reference service life per type of construction product from the SBR-publication “Levensduur van
bouwproducten” (Service life of construction products) [SBR, 2011] can be used.
2.6.3.4. System boundaries
Within the system boundary, a process tree is established in which the information modules of figure 2 are
distinguished: product stage (A1-A3), construction stage (with transportation A4 and construction and
installation process / implementation A5 separately), use stage (B1-B5), end-of-life stage (C1-C4) and
module D.
An overview of processes that are to be incorporated and of processes that are not is included in Appendix
C System Boundaries. This overview can be used as a checklist for both the composer and the verifier of a
LCA for an EPD.
Waste processing, in accordance with EN 15804, is included in the life cycle stage, which is where it
originates.
Product stage Packaging waste is attributed to the product stage
Diverging from the EN 15804, the system boundary for the input of secondary raw materials or of energy
from secondary fuels between the studied system and the preceding system (from which the secondary
materials originate) is determined by the economic turning point.
Construction stage - Transportation stage
The transportation stage (A4) starts from the moment the construction product or component is ready for
transportation from the producer to the consumer, and ends the moment that it is fully delivered at the
construction site (next to the transportation vehicle).
Note 1: Routes via any possible intermediate organizations should also be included in the calculations, for
example when there is a trader between the producer and the construction site.
Construction stage - construction and installation process / implementation
These processes (A5) are included in the form of one or multiple scenarios.
Use stage
B1 – The use of the construction product (life cycle stage B1) relates to the application in the Netherlands.
B2 – The maintenance (life cycle stage B2) relates only to material-based maintenance, and not to
maintenance bound to construction work or location. Cleaning maintenance is only included when
functionally important.
B3 – Repair (life cycle stage B3) is part of maintenance (B2)
B4 – Replacement of the complete product is set in the calculation rules at building level within this
Assessment Method through a multiplication of the product-data (production, transportation, installation,
utilization in the application, demolition and processing) see chapter 3. Replacement of the completed
product is, in divergence with EN 15804, not reported separately in the utilization stage. Replacement of
parts that have a shorter service life than the service life of the completed product is included in here. The
number of replacements of parts is calculated through dividing the functional duration by the empirical
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service life of the component minus one (the initial production). The number of replacements of
components can thus never be smaller than 0 and is expressed up to a maximum of 2 decimals.
B5 – Renovation (life cycle stage B5) is not part of this Assessment Method.
For the energy use during utilization (life cycle stage B6) and the water use during utilization (life cycle
stage B7), see chapter 3 and appendix I of this Assessment Method.
End-of-life stage
C1 – the demolition stage starts the moment that the construction work becomes obsolete and ends the
moment that the construction work is demolished or dismantled. Therefore, this stage module includes the
activities at the demolition site.
Note 2: It is also possible that a construction work is (partially) re-used or that the components remain in
their location to be used in a new application. Any possible dismantling activities are modelled in
the demolition stage. Any possible activities for re-use are modelled in the processing stage.
Example 1: An example of partial re-use of a construction work is a pile of sand next to a road that remains
there to be used in the reconstruction of that road. In this example, there are no demolition
activities. Any possible reduction of the sand pile is included under the processing stage and is
modelled according to the allocation procedure in paragraph 2.6.4.3.
The system boundary marking the end-of-waste state is determined by the economic turning point. In the
case that there is no economic turning point, see 2.6.4.3 step 2b). For products that already have
economic value at the moment of disposal, such as steel, the system boundary is the entrance of the
processor for steel waste. The transportation to the processor, thus, is attributed to the construction work
from which the material originated. For products that do not have economic value until they are processed,
the system boundary can be found in the processing between waste substance and secondary material.
The environmental impact of the modification process is attributed to the waste substance or to the new
material based on the economic value.
C3 – the waste processing stage starts the moment the demolished materials and components (if
applicable) are removed and ends the moment that the residual material is processed. For landfilling
processes, the end point is set based on a period of 100 years after dumping (see also 2.6.3.6 under
generic data). In the case that a material, product or element remains without any further functions (“laten
zitten zonder functie”), it is treated as dump. The end point of recycling and re-use processes (under which
falls the leaving of materials and components for new applications and the re-use of a construction work) is
determined in the allocation procedure that is described in paragraph 2.6.4.3.
Module D
C3 - C4 and module D are separately reported in the EPD. In the base profile of the waste processing for
the NMD, they may be reported as combined. The environmental impacts are calculated by using the
waste scenarios from this Assessment Method. In module D, all deducted environmental interventions are
included (see 2.6.4.3). Module D may not contain the environmental benefits and burdens associated with
other product systems. Further evidence of this is given in 2.6.4.3.
Notwithstanding, the avoided energy will be included in module D as described in "Verbranding in een
afvalenergiecentrale” (Incineration in a waste to energy) in 2.6.3.6.
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2.6.3.5. Criteria for the exclusion of inputs and outputs
EN 15804 is applicable.
Production, supply, removal, maintenance and disposal of capital goods are included. In Ecoinvent 2.2
data, which are used as the default database, infrastructure and capital goods are included. Ecoinvent 2.2
data, including infrastructure and capital equipment, are also used. If the contribution of capital goods to
each individual effect category of the module production stage (A1-A3) is less than a substantiated 5%,
then it may be neglected.
In addition to the EN 15804, when an input, which contributes less than 1% to the primary energy
consumption, and less than 1% to the total mass of the process in question and this happens to be the
reason why this input is allowed to be omitted, this input is required to be included when it contributes more
than an estimated 5% to one of the environmental impacts of the construction product per module, for
example per module A1-A3 , A4-A5, B1-B5, C3-C4 and D. An additional requirement is that the sum of the
environmental impact per module, which is not included in this way, may not exceed 5% of the total per
category effect throughout the life cycle.
2.6.3.6. Selection of data
In addition to the EN 15804 the following requirements apply:
Representativeness of the processes of the producer
Individual production sites must derive their data from that location. If horizontal aggregation occurs in the product system and all production sites provide data, the result is
automatically representative for that group. If not all the production sites in the group data supply data, a
representative cross-section must be made from the group's production sites, to the degree that they
produce for the Dutch market, with regard to geographic and technical differences that may lead to
differences in environmental impacts.
Note 1: Whether this is the case, can be determined by examining what information influences the
environmental impact the most, and the geographic and technological aspects related to it.
Note 2: Horizontal aggregation can also happen at different production sites of the same producer as well as
with groups of producers or branches that establish an environmental declaration.
If the manufacturer does not want or is unable to involve representative production sites, but goes by (an)
arbitrary location(s), the data are no longer valid for the producer. In this case, the data are valid for the
relevant manufacturing site(s) of the producer.
The average composition is based on annual or perennial numbers on the entire production, whereby, if
applicable, weighing is conducted on the basis of production rate1) to determine the percentage. In place
of the average composition, a selection can be made for a composition that covers more than 80% of the
production volume in the year of study, or for a specific composition. Such a choice must be transparent.
1) Or production volume, if that is the common unit of measurement.
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Example 1 A material that includes component Y, is produced in 3 charges annually. Charge 1 results in 10 kg
of the material with 0.02 kg Y/kg; charge 2 delivers 15 kg with 0.1 kg Y/kg; charge 3 delivers 5 kg
with 0.08 kg Y/kg. The ratio in production quantity of the charges is thus: 10:15:5 = 2:3:1 or: 2 (33%):
3 (50%): 1 (17%). Consequently, the average percentage Y amounts to: 0.33 × 0.02 + 0.5 × 0.1 +
0.17 × 0.08 = 0.07 kg Y/kg.
Representativeness of the other data
The remaining processes in the product system have to provide a representative or typical picture of the
current geographical and technological situation. The scope, to which this standard applies, is the
Netherlands. ‘Representative’ means that the data reflect the actual population well. ‘Typical’ means that
the data describe a certain common situation (also called modal).
Note 3: The requirements for representativeness apply to all economic flows, such as the service life that is
used to determine the number of replacements, the percentages of primary and secondary materials
that are used or the waste scenario.
If, during the establishment of an EPD for a raw material, an existing EPD is used, the representativeness
of this EPD for this specific raw material has to be demonstrated. If the EPD is established according to the
Assessment Method and it is verified according to the SBK Verification Protocol, the underlying data,
usually not accessible to the general public, do not have to be analyzed.
Generic Data
In addition to the EN 15804, for the production of raw materials, it is preferred to use data originating from
the producer’s own supplier. If it can be verified that there is no data available, because this supplier
cannot or does not want to provide it, one is allowed to use generic data.
For generic data, the process database, which is based on the database Ecoinvent 2.2, is used. The long -
term (> 100 years) emissions are not included. These are modelled separately within Ecoinvent, especially
for leaching. The cut-off after 100 years applies to all modules A-D and to all data, generic and specific.
The top processes from the NMD process database are used. The unique number of the top process is
taken. The charging of the top processes for material production is cradle-to-gate. Only the top processes
from the process database may be used. There should be no selective use of the underlying modified
Ecoinvent process maps.
Default values
The following default values are applicable:
— one-way transportation distance to the construction site if the construction product is manufactured in
the Netherlands: for bulk material 50 km, for other materials, products and elements 150 km; with
respect to civil engineering works, the transportation distance of each work is included in the calculation
instruments;
— location to determine the transportation distance of materials from abroad to and from the construction
site or customer: Utrecht;
Note 4: If a material is coming from abroad and the average distance to the Dutch market is not known, the
distance between the production site and Utrecht is used.
— waste scenario according to the table from Appendix B;
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— one-way transportation distance from the demolition site to the sort and / or break installation: 50km;
Within the Assessment Method, the following processes from the process database are used:
Diesel, low-Sulphur, at regional storage/RER U [Ecoinvent 2.2]
This process describes diesel production out of raw materials, not the burning of diesel itself.
Natural gas, high pressure, at consumer/NL U [Ecoinvent 2.2]
This process describes the extraction and production of gas, not the burning of gas itself.
For energy out of natural gas ’Heat, natural gas, at industrial furnace >100kW/RER U’ is used (process
in MJ) [Ecoinvent 2.2].
Diesel, burned in building machine/GLO U [Ecoinvent 2.2]
This process describes diesel use (production of diesel and burning emissions)..
Electricity, low voltage, at grid/NL U [Ecoinvent 2.2]
This process describes electronic energy use (230-400 V) including production from the raw materials
and distribution (net and transformation losses).
Transport, lorry >16t, fleet average/RER U [Ecoinvent 2.2]
This process describes transportation of 1 tons per truck with a capacity of more than 16 tons over 1
km (including return), including diesel production and use.
Transport, barge/RER U [Ecoinvent 2.2]
This process describes transportation of 1 tons per riverboat over 1 km, including fuel production and
use.
Transport, transoceanic freight ship/OCE U [Ecoinvent 2.2]
This process describes transportation of 1 tons per sea-going vessel over 1 km, including fuel
production and use.
For different, not mentioned, background processes, a LCA-executioner will make the most suitable
choice in accordance with Ecoinvent 2.2.
The process “Chemicals organic, at plant/GLO U” [Ecoinvent 2.2] is adapted in such a way that reference
to phenol is considered “worst case” instead of referencing to the mix of 20 chemicals.
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Loss in the form of construction waste With regard to the supply, storage and construction, some of the materials will be lost. This spoilage has a
relevant influence on the material streams. The loss is very dependent on the application, the construction
site and the care with which activities are conducted. In this Assessment Method, several default
calculation rules are maintained for the release of construction waste. Desired deviations from these
default values are only justifiable when these can be quantifiably supported with research results.
prefab products
Prefab products sequentially produced in controlled environments. Waste is often directly inserted back
into the process. The assumption is that 3% of the materials are lost (on the construction site or during
transportation).
in-situ products
On the construction site, products have to be custom made (e.g. bricks). This commonly produces
additional waste. Additionally, material is lost due to damage or influence from the weather. The
assumption is that 5% of materials are lost.
ancillary and finishing materials
With regard to ancillary and finishing materials, such as kitten, glues and paints, residue often remains,
which become obsolete after a period of time. Also, material is left behind in packaging or on application
instruments. The assumption is that 15% of the materials are lost.
Incineration in the waste energy plant (AEC)
Avoided energy production is taken into consideration when considering the incineration at the
“afvalenergiecentrale” (AEC) (waste energy plant). This information is included in module D. For average
net return of the Dutch waste energy plant (AEC), park is maintained2:
16% electronic and 18% thermal (Ecoinvent waste incineration processes report incineration values, but do
not take avoided production into consideration; mentioned return deviates from the Dutch return). To
include the avoided energy production, the AEC is required to meet return requirements from the EU:
For saved-up electricity: the Ecoinvent process “Electricity mix/NL U” (>20 kV ; production and import;
no transformation and transportation / distribution loss); and
For saved-up heat: ’Heat, natural gas, at industrial furnace >100kW/RER U’ (process in MJ) [Ecoinvent
2.2]
The calculation is based on the Lower Heating Values (LHV) that Ecoinvent provides in the process
descriptions. Below, several LHV are included:
2 Dutch waste quantified, data 2006-2010, Rijkswaterstaat 2013
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LHV (MJ/kg)
PET 22,95
HDPE 42,47
LDPE 42,47
PP 32,78
EPS 32,20
ABS 35,20
Carton 15,92
Wood 13,99
Textile 14,45
Paper 14,11
2.6.3.7. Data quality requirements
EN 15804 is applicable. In addition to EN 15804, the data quality has to be assessed with a data quality system, developed for
three categories:
Unit processes (appendix E, paragraph E1)
Horizontally aggregated processes (appendix E, paragraph E2)
Vertically aggregated processes (appendix E, paragraph E3)
2.6.3.8. Developing product level scenarios
EN 15804 is applicable.
In deviation with EN 15804:
As an exception to the rule regarding actuality, the future scenario can be used for the disposal scenario if
the hardship clause is met and a verifiable functional (return) system will be present at the moment of
disposal. Functional means:
— the economic and logistic collection structure is immaculate;
— the economic boundary conditions work stimulating;
— the efficiency of the (return)system serves as reference point;
— the technical infrastructure for the recycling process is available and can be assumed to have a
capacity that follows the market;
— the application, which will contain the recycled material, is known or it can be made credible that a
market exists.
Example 1: With regard to the application of new hydraulic engineering blocks, the assumption can be made that
a significant enough market exists for re-use, given the fact that product re-use is customary in this
application.
Example 2: A return system that is declared as generally binding can be used as scenario.
With regard to waste, specific waste scenarios are developed for each base profile. In the case that no
specific value is available, default values are provided in Appendix B.
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2.6.3.9. Units
EN15804 is applicable. 2.6.4. Life cycle inventory
2.6.4.1. Data collection
In addition to the EN 15804, requirements are established regarding the accuracy of the data.
For processes that happen with the producer of the construction product, assessments have to be made
with respect to the energy balance at company level and correction of deviations conforming to an
accuracy of 95%. With regard to the processes that happen with the producer of the construction product
(if deviating from the data at company level), assessments have to be made with respect to the mass
balance per employed process (if deviating from the data at company level) and correction of deviations
conforming to an accuracy of 95%. The mass balance relates to the actual used quantities per process.
The validity of the other processes has to be checked through assessment of the mass balance per
process and correction of deviations conforming to an accuracy of 95 %. See also 2.6.3.5. for the data
that can excluded from consideration.
In addition to the EN 15804, the suppliers are approached for their own (foreground) data previous to any
possible generic data being applied.
In addition to EN 15804, a large number of default processes have Ecoinvent 2.2 as their prescribed data
source. This source indicates which environmental interventions have to considered, how sum parameters
have to be treated and how to handle biogenic CO2.
The order of preference for the establishment of the emissions is:
1. Methods appointed in laws, decisions of ministerial arrangements;
2. Methods out of standards;
3. Methods that are described in (any possible sector-specific) private legal arrangements.
The following interventions have to have a value:
— emissions to air when using of thermal energy of CO2, CO, NOx (NO2 and N2O), SO2, CxHy and fine
substance (PM10: parts < 10 m);
— emissions to water of COD, BOD, P-total, N-total and solid substance (PM10: parts < 10 m);
— emissions to soil of PAH and heavy metals;
— other emissions for which requirements, originating from environmental law, are put in place that are
applicable for the producer of the construction material, product or element.
The naming has to happen in such a way that minimal misunderstanding is allowed to exist. The name has
to indicate the nature of what is actually assessed. If available, an index name out of the CAS registration
system has to be used, unless this name does not match the name in the list with environmental
interventions out of the CML-VLCA method, which is available through the SBK.
Biomass
Biomass means that the material is of biological descent excluding material that is transformed in fossil
material. Biogenic carbon means: carbon that is extracted out of or fixed into biomass. When inclusion of
biogenic carbon in a product is appreciated, like prescribed in EN 15804, the emission during production
and utilization outage and the emission at the end of the life cycle of the product have to be calculated.
Pagina 21 van 89
Considering the difficulty of this (the chance of mistakes), the application in the NMD, which deviates from
EN 15804 is also accepted if the biogenic carbon neutrality is realized by ignoring the included biogenic
carbon at the beginning of the life cycle and ignoring the included biogenic carbon emissions at the end of
the life cycle. This can, for example, be realized by setting the characterization factor for both biogenic
carbon inclusion and emission to 0. The biogenic carbon inclusion during the growth of biomass and the
release of biogenic carbon during natural decay or burning has to always be in balance, except for the
biogenic carbon that is fixed permanently.
Data not from the producer
The suppliers and consumers for the involved production sites of the construction product have to be
asked to make the production process data available, conforming to the requirements of this standard.
Note 1: Data of producers (primary source) can be supplied in the form of process data, in the form of a LCI of ‘cradle-to-gate’ or in the form of an environmental profile. The representativeness of the application for the Netherlands has to be determined.
If a supplier or consumer does not provide sufficient data, public sources, branch figures and literature data
are used.
Note 2: When public sources and literature are used, additional calculations and approximations might be
necessary. This is preferably done by experts in the relevant field (‘expert guess’).
The public and literature sources refer to the most widely accepted sources by LCA-executioners.
If processes from different regions are available, the order is maintained based on priority:
1) the relevant country;
2) a comparable neighboring country;
3) the relevant region (for example Northwestern Europe);
4) the relevant (partial) continent;
5) the world.
Example 1: Imagine that default values of three electricity processes exist in the database: one based on the
Dutch fuel mix, one based on the German mix and one as the European average. For a process that
occurs in the Netherlands, the Dutch mix is chosen. For a process that occurs in Spain, the
European mix is chosen.
When doubt exists about the representativeness of the data, worst case scenario data has to be used.
Example 2: Imagine that a producer of a certain raw material uses generic data from the NMD and doubt exists
about whether this raw material falls within the bandwidth of the product data in the NMD. At the
same time, generic data for this same raw material are available in Ecoinvent 2.2, which, when used,
will lead to higher environmental impacts. In this case, the producer is only allowed to use the NMD
data if he or she can verify that these data are more representative for this raw material.
Completeness of individual environmental interventions
Pagina 22 van 89
All environmental interventions from the CML-VLCA method, available through www.milieudatabase.nl,
have to be considered. The interventions are given a value, unless the value is unknown. This way a
division into three groups is created:
a) a positive or negative value;
b) the value 0 (for all interventions of which the value is below the boundary of detection);
Note 1: Values, through both measurement and reasoning, can be set to 0.
c) a question mark (if it is unknown whether the intervention happens).
In the case of a question mark, it has to be evaluated whether an environmental intervention can be
reasonably expected to prevent quantity levels that can influence the results of the LCA. If there is a
possibility that an environmental intervention contributes more than a cumulative 5% over the functional
unit, its value has to be estimated.
Completeness of sum parameters
If available in producer data, sum parameters (such as NOx, CxHy, CZV, BZV, P-total, N-total, PAK and
heavy metals) have to be partitioned into individual components in order to be characterized. The standard
list includes several sum parameters, for which characterization factors are also available. The intervention
value of the sum parameters can be filled out in two ways:
a) The intervention value of the sum parameters is known. This value is submitted;
b) One or more individual substances are known, but there is only one characterization factor available for
the sum parameter. A sum parameter is a representative value for the sum of a group of substances for
a particular impact, for example PAKs. The intervention values are then used to fill out the sum
parameters of the other substances. This is done using the proportion numbers. When sum parameters
data are available for several substances, the sum parameter is calculated for each substance and the
results are averaged.
Note 3 Emissions of substance groups can be translated into individual substance emissions through the use of relative proportions of (characterized) total emissions within a group like given in the normalization report Oers et al. (2001).
2.6.4.2. Calculation procedures
EN 15804 is applicable.
2.6.4.3. Allocation of input flows and output emissions
The sum of the allocated inputs and outputs of a unit process has to be the same as the unallocated inputs
and outputs of the unit process according to NEN-EN-ISO 14044. The allocation procedures have to be
uniformly applied to the same inputs and outputs of the product system. There cannot be any double
counting and / or shortages in the material streams or between the different product systems. To achieve
this, synchronization is necessary with the branch (horizontal) or with different parts in the construction
chain (vertical). This synchronization has to result in a single method of allocation for the material per
material chain.
Example 1: Allocation of stone-like material processing at the end of the life cycle is supposed to be identical to
allocation of granulates at the beginning of the life cycle. Of course, this also means that the sum of
the input and output has to be equal to the unallocated values of the processing of granulate.
Example 2: Production of furnace slag as byproduct of the steel production and application of slag in concrete,
requires synchronization between the product system ‘steel’ and the product system ‘concrete’.
In addition to the EN 15804, the impact categories are displayed as follows:
Table 1. Parameters that describe the environmental impact
effect category Parameter unit
depletion of abiotic resources (elements), ex
fossil fuels
ADP-elements kg antimony
depletion of fossil fuels ADP-fuel4 kg antimony
global warming GWP-100j kg CO2
ozone layer depletion ODP kg CFC 11
photo chemical oxidant creation POCP kg ethane
acidification EP kg SO2
eutrophication AP kg (PO4)3-
humane-eco toxicological effects HTP kg 1,4 dichlorinebenzene
Eco toxicological effects, aquatic (fresh water) FAETP kg 1,4 dichlorinebenzene
Eco toxicological effects, aquatic (sea water) MAETP kg 1,4 dichlorinebenzene
Eco toxicological effects, terrestrial TETP kg 1,4 dichlorinebenzene
2.7.2.4. Parameters describing resource use
Besides the environmental impact categories from table 1, parameters are used for raw materials, the
release of waste and the release of materials and energy reported, which conforms to EN 15804. For the
readability, the tables are displayed here.
4 If “depletion of fossile energy carriers” is available in the unit MJ, the conversion factor 4,81E-4 kg antimoon/MJ can be used [CMLIA, Part 2b: Operational annex, pagina 52]
Pagina 30 van 89
Table 2. Parameters that describe resource use
Parameter unit
use of renewable primary energy excluding renewable primary energy
resources used as raw materials
MJ, net calorific value
use of renewable primary energy resources used as raw materials MJ, net calorific value
total use of renewable primary energy resources (renewable primary
energy and renewable primary energy resources used as raw
materials)
MJ, net calorific value
use of non-renewable primary energy excluding non-renewable energy
resources used as raw materials
MJ, net calorific value
use of non-renewable primary energy resources used as raw materials MJ, net calorific value
total use of non-renewable primary energy resources (non-renewable
primary energy and non-renewable primary energy resources used as
raw materials)
MJ, net calorific value
use of secondary material kg
use of renewable secondary fuels MJ, net calorific value
use of non-renewable secondary fuels MJ, net calorific value
net use of fresh water m3
In deviation with the EN 15804, kg dangerous waste and kg radioactive waste are summed and reported
as kg dangerous waste.
Table 3. Other environmental information: waste categories
Parameter Unit
dangerous waste Kg
non-dangerous waste Kg
Table 4. Other environmental information: output flows
parameter unit
components for re-use Kg
materials for recycling Kg
materials for energy
recovery
Kg
exported energy MJ per energy
carrier
For the EPDs of which the environmental information is included as base profiles in the National
Environment Database, a selection of parameters from table 2, 3 and 4 is required:
Total renewable energy (see table 2, total use of renewable primary energy; renewable primary
energy and renewable primary energy used as materials) (MJ);
Total non-renewable energy (see table 2, total use of non-renewable primary energy (non-
renewable primary energy and non-renewable primary energy used as materials)) (MJ);
Energy (MJ) (sum of the two aforementioned bullets);
Water use (see table 2) (m3);
Pagina 31 van 89
Non-dangerous waste (see table 3) (kg);
Dangerous waste (see table 3) (kg);
2.7.3. Scenarios and additional technical information
EN 15804 is applicable.
2.7.4. Additional information on release of dangerous substances to indoor air, soil and water
during the use stage
EN 15804 is applicable.
2.7.5. Aggregation of information modules
EN 15804 is applicable.
In the base profiles in the database, C3, C4 and D are taken together. This is done by SBK.
2.8. Project report (EN 15804 8 Project report)
2.8.1. General
EN 15804 is applicable.
The report has to be drawn up in Dutch, German, French or English.
2.8.2. LCA-related elements from the project file
2.8.2.1. Of general interest
EN 15804 is applicable.
In addition to EN 15804, the information for the LCI is supplemented:
— A list of materials (the composition does not have to be given with the names of the substances, the structure does);
— any possible additional function(s) that are not included in the functional unit and that relate to the application of the material, product or element in a construction work;
— a description of the way in which the composition of all construction products in the material list is determined (for example through the setting of standards);
— a description of the process tree and the limiting of the process tree, with support;
— the used service life for the construction product, with supporting description and support for the used scenarios;
— information which shows that the system boundaries in this Assessment Method have been followed, where deviation has taken place and why, and how this has influenced end results;
— the data categories;
Pagina 32 van 89
— the procedures for data collection (questionnaires, check lists, etc.);
— the calculation procedures (for example for estimations);
— which data originate from primary sources and which data from secondary sources;
— a justification for the made decisions regarding generic data (National Environment Database Ecoinvent
2.2, other data);
— an acknowledgement of literature data, with at least the title, composer and year;
— if the default values are not applied: a description of the conversion return on energy sources, of the way extraction and transportation of fuels are handled, of the burning values of energy carriers, of the fuel mix with regard to electricity production and of the distribution of the energy stream;
— a description of how completion percentages per data category are determined and how deviations are treated;
— a list with process emissions that are part of the environmental license;
— a list with the notified suppliers;
— the method of validation;
— the outcomes of mass and energy balances, corrections and declarations for deviations
2.8.2.2. Base profiles, product cards and item cards
The base profiles and product cards / item cards include the information that has to be incorporated in the
National Environment Database. The base profiles are supposed to be supplied for each material and for
all life cycle stages. If the EPD is limited to cradle-to-gate, the producer, that supplies the environmental
information for the NMD, has to make a choice out of the available base profiles in the National
Environment Database. If the base profiles are not displayed per kg, the mass per functional unit has to be
included.
The base profiles and the product cards / item cards are part of the verifying (see SBK Verification
Protocol).
The actual format for the supply of the base profiles is available on www.milieudatabase.nl; an example is
included in appendix H.
The product cards / item cards include general product information (no environmental information) about
construction products, such as composition, construction waste, service life, maintenance scenarios and
disposal scenarios. The information relating to a material or process on the product cards / item cards is
associated with the related information in the base profiles. The mass of the construction product has to be
included in the commentary field of the product card / item card.
The standard dimensions of the product are included on the product card.
The type of scaling is included per product card (B&U). The following options are possible:
· No scaling
· Mass according to table
· Linear
The actual format for the supply of the product cards is available on www.milieudatabase.nl; the necessary
The result per environmental category is derived by multiplying the characterized impact scores with the
weighing factors per unit. No normalization happens.
3.6. Key Environmental Indicators
For constructions, key environmental indicators are calculated per m2 BVO (built-on surface) each year.
No correction is applied for the construction type. The key environmental indicators for energy, water and
waste are a selection of the aspects from the EN 15804, as mentioned in table 2, 3 and 4.
Materials (construction work, utilization and disposal stage), per functional (construction) unit:
Environmental profile (see table 1) (LCA-units);
Raw materials (weighing factors for abiotic depletion, see table 5) (€);
Emissions (weighted summation of all emission related impact categories, see table 5) (€);
Total renewable energy (see table 2, total use of renewable primary energy; renewable primary
energy and renewable primary energy used as materials) (MJ);
Total non-renewable energy (see table 2, total use of non-renewable primary energy (non-
renewable primary energy and non-renewable primary energy used as materials)) (MJ);
6 If “uitputting van fossiele energiedragers” (depletion of fossile energy carriers) is available in the unit MJ, the conversion factor 4,81E-4 kg antimoon/MJ can be used [CMLIA, Part 2b: Operational annex, pagina 52]
Raw
materials
Emissions
1-p
oin
ts s
core
Pagina 38 van 89
Energy (MJ) (sum of two aforementioned bullets);
Water use (see table 2) (m3);
Non-dangerous waste (see table 3) (kg);
Dangerous waste (see table 3) (kg);
1-point-score (see table 5) (€).
Energy (utilization stage), per functional unit (construction / civil engineering work):
Total renewable energy (MJ);
Total non-renewable energy (MJ);
Energy (MJ) (sum of 2 aforementioned bullets);
Environmental profile (LCA-units);
Raw materials (weighing factors of abiotic raw material depletion, see table 5) (€);
Emissions (weighted summation of all emission related impact categories, see table 5) (€);
Water use (m3);
Non-dangerous waste (kg);
Dangerous waste (kg);
1-point-score (see table 5) (€).
Water (utilization stage), per functional unit (construction / civil engineering work):
Total water use (m3)
Environmental profiles (LCA-units);
Raw materials (weighing factors of abiotic raw material depletion, see table 5) (€);
Emissions (weighted summation of all emission related impact categories, see table 5) (€);
Non-dangerous waste (kg);
Dangerous waste (kg);
1-point-score (see table 5) (€).
For more information regarding the calculation of the environmental impact of energy and water use, see
appendix I.
Total material use (kg7);
3.7. Calculation rules for the use in instruments
3.7.1. Residential and non-residential buildings (B&U)
In the context of the project “Rekenregels voor een uniforme berekening van de materiaalgebonden
milieuprestatie in rekeninstrumenten” (Calculation rules for a uniform calculation of the material-based
environmental performance in calculation instruments), calculation rules and formulas for constructions are
documented. The calculation rules are further developments of the “Bepalingsmethode milieuprestatie
gebouwen en GWW-werken” (Assessment Method Environmental Performance Constructions and Civil
Engineering (GWW) Works) for constructions.
The calculation rules are included in the document “Rekenregels materiaalgebonden milieuprestatie
gebouwen” (Calculation rules material-based environmental performance constructions). This document
can be found on www.milieudatabase.nl .
An example of the product card with corresponding tables and base profiles is included as appendix 1.
The most important discussion points that have resulted in the current calculation rules are documented as
a background document in appendix 2.
This document can be adapted by SBK.
7 The unit of weight kg is virtually useless as a descriptive indicator of the environmental impact, but is included anyways due to the function it can have when calibrating different instruments. This unit is not communicated externally.
NOTE 4 Examples of secondary fuels recovered from previous use or
from waste are: solvents, wood, tyres, oil, animal
EN 15804 (3.28) secondary fuel
secondary production
a production process that is based on secondary material
specific data
data originating form one specific producer
NOTE These data are verified according to the Verification Protocol
and offered to the database management.
See also “generic data” and “product information categories”.
-
Pagina 51 van 89
Term (from EN 15804) and clarification Source ‘Terms’
(EN 15804)
specific data
data representative of a product, product group or construction
service, provided by one supplier
EN 15804 (3.30) specific data
substance group
group of substances, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx). As opposed to
nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
NOTE Some measurement methods deliver a quantity of a certain
substance group. Substance groups cannot always be characterized
accurately.
-
system process
process card within Ecoinvent that describes the environmental
interventions of all process steps up to and including the current
‘’aggregated’ (= vertical aggregation)
NOTE Compare unit process
-
top process
last process card in a chain, consisting of one or more basic
processes.
NOTE Concerns production material ‘cradle-to-gate’, transportation,
energy generation, processing, waste incineration, etc. Top processes
are given a unique number.
-
type III environmental declaration (synonym: EPD)
environmental declaration providing quantified environmental data
using predetermined parameters and, where relevant, additional
environmental information
NOTE The calculation of predetermined parameters is based on the
ISO 14040 series of standards, which is made up of ISO 14040, and
ISO 14044. The selection of the predetermined parameters is based
on ISO 21930 (adapted from ISO 14025).
EN 15804 (3.32) type III
environmental
declaration
unit process
process card within Ecoinvent that describes the environmental
interventions of a single process step.
NOTE Compare system process.
-
comparative assertion
environmental claim regarding the superiority or equivalence of one
product versus a competing product that performs the same function
[EN ISO 14044:2006]
EN 15804 (3.4) comparative
assertion
vertically aggregated process
Sum of different related processes (vertical in the chain)
Pagina 52 van 89
Term (from EN 15804) and clarification Source ‘Terms’
(EN 15804)
volume transportation factor
most transportation models assume that mass transportation (mass x
distance; tons x miles). Producers with a low density have to be
corrected.
NOTE In case of mass transport the volume transport factor is 1.
upstream, downstream process
process that either precedes (upstream) or follows (downstream) a
given life cycle stage
EN 15804 (3.33) upstream,
downstream
process
foreground process
process over which the producer or supplier of the product / process
under study is able to exercise direct influence (at a minimum this
relates to own production).
See also “Background process”.
-
Pagina 53 van 89
ABBREVIATIONS Abbreviations
AEC Waste energy plant, Afvalenergiecentrale
EPD Environmental product declaration, milieuverklaring van een product
PCR Product category rules, LCA Life cycle assessment,
levenscyclusanalyse LCI Life cycle inventory analysis,
levenscyclusinventarisatie LCIA Life cycle impact assessment,
levenscycluseffectanalyse RSL Reference service life,
referentielevensduur ESL Estimated service life, geschatte
levensduur EPBD Energy performance of buildings directive MRPI
® Environmentally relevant product
information, Milieurelevante productinformatie
pp price of a primary (construction)material
ps price of a secondary (construction) material
psub Price of a to be substituted or substituted (construction)material
Abbreviations environmental effects
ADP = Abiotic Depletion Potential. Depletion abiotic raw materials. Measurement for scarcity of raw materials relative to reference antimony (Sb) GWP 100y = Global Warming Potential. Climate change expressed in CO2-equivalents. The addition 100 years references the anticipation horizon. ODP = Ozone Depletion Potential.
Measurement for effect on the ozone layer, in CFC-11 equivalents.
AP = Acidification Potential.
Acidification in SO2-equivalents.
EP = Eutrophication Potential.
Eutrophication in PO4-equivalents.
HTP = Human Toxicity Potential
Human toxicity relative to 1,4-Dichlorobenzene.
FAETP = Freshwater Aquatic Eco toxicity Potential
Freshwater Aquatic Eco toxicity relative to 1,4-Dichlorobenzene.
MAETP= Marine Aquatic Eco toxicity Potential
Marine aquatic eco toxicity relative to 1,4-Dichlorobenzene.
TETP = Terrestrial Eco toxicity Potential
Terrestrial eco toxicity relative to 1,4-Dichlorobenzene.
POCP = Photo-Oxidant Creation Potential
Photo-oxidant creation (smog forming), in ethane (C2H4) equivalents.
Pagina 54 van 89
APPENDIX B. DEFAULT VALUES FOR WASTE SCENARIOS
Table B.1 gives the default values for waste scenarios.
Table B1 — Default values for waste scenarios
Stream Specification Division across fractions
%
Le
av
e a
lon
e
La
nd
fill
Inc
ine
rati
on
Re
cy
cli
ng
Pro
du
ct
re-u
se
Finishes
attached to wood, synthetics,
metal
0 0 100 0 0
Finishes
attached to debris 0 100 0 0 0
aluminum from constructions amongst other things profiles,
plates, pipes
0 3 3 94 0
aluminum civil engineering works
(GWW)
0 5 0 95 0
Asphalt 0 1 0 99 0
asphalt granulate cement (agrac) 0 1 0 99 0
concrete, also reinforced concrete amongst other things elements,
masonry (brickwork)
0 1 0 99 0
Tarmac (bitumen) amongst other things roofing 0 5 90 5 0
autoclaved aerated concrete (aerated
concrete)
amongst other things elements,
blocks
0 1 0 99 0
coating on steel civil engineering
works (GWW)
via sand blasting 0 90 10 0 0
elastomers (a.o. epdm) amongst other things roofing, foils 0 10 85 5 0
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation material 0 5 90 5 0
if packaging material is returned (for example pallets) and the material is re-used as packaging, the
percentage of returned material can be viewed as a capital good. This percentage does not have to be
included.
Excluding
any possible storage on the construction site and any possible damages that originate on the
construction site;
the setting up and breaking down of utilities and other resources that aid construction activities;
overhead processes;
production, maintenance and disposal of capital goods (materials). Note that materials that are used
once are not considered capital goods. With regard to repeated usage, it has to be verified that the
contribution to the functional unit is negligible.
Use stage (B1-B5)
Utilization (B1)
Including
loss of heat (absolute) and / or savings with regard to a reference insulation value (relative);
Pagina 58 van 89
chemical and physical reactions during which materials change and mechanical processes (such as
erosion or leaching) are included in the utilization stage, if part of a material from the material list
disappears in the environment and if this is measurable and thus reviewable;
absorption of substances from and dissipation of substances to the environment are included, if these
are verifiable, measurable and, thus, reviewable10
.
Maintenance and replacements (B2-B5)
Including
maintenance processes that are required to uphold the functional performance requirements from the
functional unit for the functional service life;
the production of maintenance materials;
supply and removal including return transportation of maintenance materials (such as products to the
construction site) and residual materials (such as construction waste);
modification processes of the maintenance waste;
cleaning maintenance if this is important from a functional standpoint;
the production of substitute products;
supply and removal of substitute products (such as products to the construction site) and residual
materials (such as construction waste);
implementation of substitute products and demolition of the to-be replaced parts;
modification processes of waste.
Excluding
inspective maintenance;
esthetic maintenance;
non-prognosed repairs due to incidents and calamities.
End-of-life stage (C1-C4)
Demolition stage (C1)
Including
demolition processes;
dismantling.
Excluding
manual processes;
supply and removal of materials.
Transportation from the construction site to processing (C2)
Including
transportation from the construction site to the location of waste processing for each material / product
/ element including return transportation.
Excluding
supply and removal of materials.
10 Verifiable, here, means that an assessment method has to be available according to a NEN-norm. The absorption or dissipation can be determined using this method.
Pagina 59 van 89
Processing stage (C3-C4)
Including
if applicable: product re-use;
the disposal process, if a material is deposited;
if applicable: recycling processes, until the economic cut-off.
Benefits and loads of recycling and re-use beyond the system boundary (D)
if applicable: energy reclaiming. This is viewed as closed-loop recycling, which includes all related
environmental interventions (see Assessment Method under 1.3.2);
if applicable: product re-use;
energy reclaiming during incineration in a waste energy plant.
Pagina 60 van 89
APPENDIX D. OVERVIEW CONSTRUCTION AND CONSTRUCTION WORK
COMPONENTS
Construction components B&U
The assessment of a construction pertains to the construction itself and any possible free-standing side-
constructions / storerooms on parcel. The following elements have to be included at a minimum:
Only the first two numbers of the elements in a construction work are coded according to NL-SfB (for example
element group code 31: exterior wall openings). For the further partitioning of the elements, the NL-SfB-code is
supplemented with an own encoding (for example element code 31.02: exterior window frames).
Do not include:
Separate cabinets and inventory Materials (amongst other things formwork, except lost formwork) Installations electro-technical: communication and IT 63 lighting Soft furnishing Carpet Faucets, shower head, (gas)faucets, and electro-fittings Construction, other than free-standing store rooms 90.04 Terrain provisions – lampposts Terrain vegetation
Construction work components civil engineering works (GWW)
Categories:
Construction substances / products
17 CONTAMINATED SOIL AND CONTAMINATED WATER
17.51 ISOLATING (SEALING) LAYER
22 GROUNDWORKS
22.03 SOIL PROCESSING
Create work with work
22.41 LIGHT MATERIALS USED FOR RAISING GROUND LEVELS
22.45 MATERIALS FOR RAISING GROUND LEVELS MADE FROM
SYNTHETICS
22.46 GROUND REINFORCEMENTS AND GROND PARTITIONING
22.51 INCINERATOR BOTTOM ASH
23 DRAINAGE
23.51 VERTICAL DRAINAGE
23.99 DRAINAGE SAND
25 PIPING
25.21 CONCRETE PIPES
25.22 SYNTHETIC PIPES
25.23 METAL PIPES
25.24 CERAMIC PIPES
Pagina 64 van 89
26 CABLE (WIRE)
WORK
26.31 ENERGY GROUND CABLES
28 SUBGRADES
28.02 STONE BLEND
28.03 BOUNDED FOUNDATION
28.52 FOAM CONCRETE
30 ROAD HARDENING I
30.11 SURFACE TREATMENT
31 ROAD HARDENING II
31.21 ASPHALT HARDENING
31.31 CONCRETE HARDENING
31.41 ROAD WORK
32 ROAD MARKING
32.01 MARKINGS
33 FENCING PROVISIONS
33.01 GUARDRAIL
34 LIGHTING
34.02 MASTS
36 NOISE CONTRAL CONSTRUCTIONS
36.12 REFLECTING ELEMENTS
36.13 ABSORBING ELEMENTS
41 FOUNDATIONAL CONSTRUCTIONS
41.01 COLUMNS
41.04 SHEET PILING
42 CONCRETE CONSTRUCTIONS
42.11 FORMWORK
42.21 CONCRETE
42.24 PRESTRETCH (PRETENSION) ELEMENTS
42.34 UNDERWATER CONCRETE
42.41 REINFORCED STEEL
42.42 REINFORCED NETS
43 STEEL CONSTRUCTIONS
43.13 CREATING AND COMPOSING STEEL CONSTRUCTIONS
52 COAST AND RIVERSIDE WORKS
52.01 ZINC AND COLLAR PIECES
52.02 SAND AND GRAVEL GEOBAGS
52.11 DEPOSIT AS DEFENCE CQ FILTER
52.14 STONE-LIKE MATERIAL IN COVERINGS
52.21 GEOTEXTILE OF FOIL MATTEN
52.33 PREFAB MATS
52.35 RIVER SIDE DEFENSE NATURAL OR ARTIFICIAL STONE
52.36 BITUMINEUS BOUNDED RIVER SIDE DEFENSE
52.80 DREDGING-WORK
52.91 SAND SUPPLEMENTS
56 CONSERVATION WORKS
56.11 PROTECTION OF CONCRETE
56.21 PAINT SYSTEM ON STEEL
56.23 PAINT SYSTEM ON THERMALLY GALVANIZED STEEL
56.29 PAINT SYSTEMS GENERAL
56.99 METALIZING
61 WORK OF A GENERAL NATURE
Pagina 65 van 89
APPENDIX E. DATA QUALITY SYSTEM FOR PROCESS ASSESSMENT
Based on the in 2003 developed data quality assessment system MRPI, adaptations were made, which allow
application in the assessment for agreed upon processes in the database. The data quality of the process data
is now determined with a data quality system, consisting of:
Unit processes (paragraph E1);
Horizontally aggregated processes (paragraph E2);
Vertically aggregated processes (paragraph E3).
It is possible that a process can fall within multiple categories. Thus, it is agreed upon that the following
schematic is to always be followed:
Is it a vertically aggregated process? If yes, fill in assessment table 3; if no:
Is it a horizontally aggregated process? If yes, fill in assessment table 2; if no:
Fill in assessment table 1 for unit processes.
The inspector is supposed to report the most important considerations for the quality assessment. In appendix
E, the corresponding two empty data quality assessment tables are included.
E1. Unit processes
UNIT PROCESSES
To be assessed
The whole of the inputs and outputs (economic flows, with the exception of the product,
and environmental interventions) of a physically individual process, or a total of
processes within an individual production site; or the characterization of a physically
individual process in relation to the LCA in which it is used.
Applicable when Data is provided by individual companies; or assessment of process data from individual
companies when used in a LCA.
Indicator
Pedigree
score
1 2 3 4 5
COMPLETENESS Completeness
environmental interventions
All environmental
interventions
from the LCA-2
list* have a value
All
environmental
interventions
that can be
reasonably
expected to
have a value
Interventions are
missing that can
be reasonably
expected, but that
are expected to be
less relevant to the
environmental
profile of the
process
Interventions are
missing that can
be reasonably
expected, but
that are
expected to be
relevant for the
environmental
profile of the
process or of
which the
relevance
cannot be
determined
beforehand
Missing
interventions are
unknown
Example Value can also be zero. The value can be set to zero when rationalized.
Pagina 66 van 89
Completeness economic
flows
(streams = raw materials,
energy, emissions, waste.)
All streams are
qualified and
quantified.
All streams are
qualified. The
streams that are
expected to be
relevant for the
environmental
profile of the
process are
quantified
All streams are
qualified. The
largest of the
materials and
energy streams
are quantified.
The economic
flows for which
data were
available are
quantified.
The
completeness of
economic flows
is unclear /
unknown
Example For example:
Each additive is
named and the
quantity that is
used is reported.
For example:
Additives, that
resemble the
production and
composition of
the primary
material, are not
quantified. For
example, water
emission that is
not quantified.
Mas balance at process
level
Closed loop
>95%
Closed loop 90-
95%
Closed loop 80-
90%
Closed loop 70-
80%
Closed loop
<70% or
unknown
Example Mass balance = total mass incoming raw materials w.r.t. the total products + emissions + waste
Mas balance at company
level
Closed loop
>95%
Closed loop 90-
95%
Closed loop 80-
90%
Closed loop 70-
80%
Closed loop
<70% or
unknown
Example Mass balance = total quantity used raw materials w.r.t. total production + waste + emissions
(buying / selling, corrected for inventory levels)
Energy balance at company
level
Closed loop
>95%
Closed loop 90-
95%
Closed loop 80-
90%
Closed loop 70-
80%
Closed loop
<70% or
unknown
Example Sum of energy use individual processes w.r.t. the energy calculation
REPRESENTATIVENESS
Time-bounded
representativeness of
process w.r.t. the year of
assessment
<2 year
difference; or
(choose the best
option):
The process is
accepted for the
period that is
studied in the
LCA
2-5 year
difference; or
(choose the best
option):
The process
details are
changed. It is
estimated that this
leads to changes
of less than 5% in
the substance
streams
5-10 year
difference; or
(choose the best
option):
The process is
partly changed.
It is estimated
that this leads to
changes
between 5-20%
in the substance
streams
10-15 year
difference; or
(choose the best
option):
The process is
largely changed.
This can lead to
changes of
>20% in several
of the occurring
substance
streams
>15 year
difference or
unknown; or
(choose the best
option):
The process is
no longer
applied in the
investigated
period
Or:
The process is
largely changed.
This can lead to
changes of
>20% in all
substance
streams
Example Data from 1999
are supplied in
2000 as valid for
the period 1999
- 2001
Data from 1999
are supplied in
2003
Pagina 67 van 89
Geographical
representativeness
The location of
the process is
directly related
to the desired
area
The location of the
process occupies
a larger area
within which the
desired area falls
The location of
the process and
the desired area
do not have
comparable
production
conditions
The location of
the process is
partly
comparable with
respect to
production
conditions
The location(s)
of the process is
completely
different with
respect to
production
conditions /
geographical
representativene
ss is unknown
Example Data from a
Dutch producer
with the intent of
supplying Dutch
data
Data from a
German
producer about
the lines that are
specific for
Dutch
production
Data from a
German producer,
that supplies both
the German and
the Dutch market
when the
Netherlands is the
desired area
Technological
representativeness
Data about the
company,
process and
product under
study
Data about the
process / product
under study, but
relating to a
different company
Data about the
process /
product under
study, but
relating to a
different
technology
Data about
comparable
processes /
products, but
relating to the
same
technology
Data about
comparable
processes and
materials, but
relating to a
different
technology
Example Specific
company
CONSISTENCY AND REPRODUCIBILITY
Uniformity and consistency N.A. because uniformity and consistency between processes in the LCA are, per definition, not
assessed for unit processes. The assessment happens with regard to the aggregated processes.
Reproducibility by third
parties
Completely
reproducible
Process
description is
completely and
quantitatively
reproducible with
the used
environmental
interventions
Process
description is
completely and
quantitatively
reproducible
Process
description is
qualitative and
the outlines are
reproducible
Totally not
reproducible
Pagina 68 van 89
E2. Horizontally Aggregated Processes
HORIZONTALLY AGGREGATED PROCESSES
To be assessed
The whole of the inputs and outputs (economic flows, with the exception of the product,
and environmental interventions) of a group process; or the characterization of a group
process in relation to the LCA in which it is used.
Applicable when A process that is represented as ‘average’ for a comparable process of different
production sites; or assessment of process data of a group when used in a LCA
Indicator
Pedigree
score
1 2 3 4 5
COMPLETENESS
Completeness
environmental
interventions
All
environmental
interventions
from the LCA-2
list* have a
value
All
environmental
interventions
that can be
reasonably
expected to
have a value
Interventions are
missing that can
be reasonably
expected, but
that are
expected to be
less relevant to
the
environmental
profile of the
process
Interventions are
missing that can
be reasonably
expected, but
that are expected
to be relevant for
the
environmental
profile of the
process or of
which the
relevance cannot
be determined
beforehand
Missing
interventions are
unknown
Example Value can also be zero. The value can be set to zero when rationalized.
Completeness economic
flows
All streams are
qualified and
quantified
All streams are
qualified. The
streams that are
expected to be
relevant for the
environmental
profile of the
process are
quantified
All streams are
qualified. The
largest of the
materials and
energy streams
are quantified.
The economic
flows for which
data were
available are
quantified.
The
completeness of
economic flows is
unclear /
unknown
Example Streams = raw
materials,
energy,
emissions,
waste.
For example:
Each additive is
named and the
quantity that is
used is
reported.
For example:
Additives, that
resemble the
production and
composition of
the primary
material, are not
quantified. For
example, water
emission that is
not quantified.
Mass balance at process
level
Closed loop
>95%
Closed loop 90-
95%
Closed loop 80-
90%
Closed loop 70-
80%
Closed loop
<70% or
unknown
Example Mass balance = total mass incoming raw materials w.r.t. the total of products + emissions + waste
Pagina 69 van 89
Mass balance at company
level
Of the
companies
that, together,
control more
than 80% of the
production
volume, the
closed loop
mass balance
per company is
>95%
Of the
companies that,
together, control
more than 80%
of the production
volume, the
closed loop mass
balance per
company is
>95%
Of the
companies that,
together, control
more than 80%
of the production
volume, the
closed loop mass
balance per
company is
expected to be
>80%
Of the
companies that,
together, control
more than 80%
of the production
volume, the
closed loop mass
balance per
company is
>70%
Of the companies
that, together,
control more than
80% of the
production
volume, the
closed loop mass
balance per
company is
<70% or
unknown
Example Mass balance = total quantity used raw materials w.r.t. total production + waste + emissions
(buying / selling, corrected for inventory levels)
Energy balance at
company level
Of the
companies
that, together,
control more
than 80% of the
production
volume, the
closed loop
energy balance
per company is
>95%
Of the
companies that,
together, control
more than 80%
of the production
volume, the
closed loop
energy balance
per company is
>90%
Of the
companies that,
together, control
more than 80%
of the production
volume, the
closed loop
energy balance
per company is
expected to be
>80%
Of the
companies that,
together, control
more than 80%
of the production
volume, the
closed loop
energy balance
per company is
>70%
Of the companies
that, together,
control more than
80% of the
production
volume, the
closed loop
energy balance
per company is
<70% or
unknown
Example Sum energy use of individual processes w.r.t. the energy calculation
REPRESENTATIVENESS
Time-bounded
representativeness of
process w.r.t. the year
of assessment
<2 year
difference; or
(choose the best
option):
All underlying
processes are
accepted for the
period that is
studied in the
LCA
2-5 year
difference; or
(choose the best
option):
The details of
one of the
underlying
processes are
changed. It is
estimated that
this leads to
changes of less
than 5% in the
substance
streams
5-10 year
difference; or
(choose the best
option):
The underlying
processes are
partly changed.
It is estimated
that this leads to
changes
between 5-20%
in the substance
streams
10-15 year
difference; or
(choose the best
option):
The underlying
processes are
largely changed.
This can lead to
changes of >20%
in several of the
occurring
substance
streams
>15 year
difference or
unknown; or
(choose the best
option):
The process is
no longer applied
in the
investigated
period
Or:
The underlying
processes are
largely changed.
This can lead to
changes of >20%
in all substance
streams
Example Data from 1999
are supplied in
2000 as valid for
the period 1999 -
2001
Data from 1999
are supplied in
2003
Pagina 70 van 89
Completeness number
of locations /
geographical
representativeness
All companies in
the group have
supplied data
Representative
cross-section
from the group
with regard to
geographical
differences in
streams (for
example
transportation
distance,
temperature-
dependence,
regulations).
Differences are
represented in
a well-balanced
fashion within
the average.
Cross-section from
the group that
represents
geographical
differences.
Random cross-
section from the
group
Geographical
differences are
not included
Geographical
representativeness
The area that
occupies the
group is directly
related to the
desired are
The area that
occupies the
group, occupies
a larger area
within which the
desired area
falls.
The area that
occupies the group
has comparable
production
conditions as the
desired area
The area that
occupies the
group has partly
comparable
production
conditions
The area that
occupies the
group has
completely
different
production
conditions /
geographical
representativene
ss unknown
Example West-European
data, that are
used in the
Netherlands
Data about
products that are
produced in the
Netherlands, for
which German
data are used
Completeness number
of locations /
geographical
representativeness
All companies in
the group have
supplied data
Representative
cross-section
from the group
with regard to
technological.
Differences are
represented in
a well-balanced
fashion within
the average.
Cross-section from
the group that
represents
technological
differences.
Random cross-
section from the
group
Technological
differences are
not included
Technological
representativeness
Data about the
company,
process and
product under
study
Data about the
process /
product under
study, but
relating to a
different
company than
the group
represents
Data about the
process / product
under study, but
relating to a
different
technology
Data about
comparable
processes /
products, but
relating to the
same technology
Data about
comparable
processes and
materials, but
relating to a
different
technology
Example German gravel
for which Dutch
data are used
For a PVC
product, data are
used from a
different PVC
modification
process
CONSISTENCY AND REPRODUCIBILITY
Uniformity and The data that, The data that, The data that, The data that, The data that,
Pagina 71 van 89
consistency together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts, are
collected in
equal fashion
and with the
same accuracy
together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts, are
determined in
equal fashion
together,
determine >80% of
the environmental
impacts, are
collected using the
same approach
and are based on
the best available
and validated data
together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts, are
based on
available data,
collected
according to a
single procedure
together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts, are
based on
different sources
with different
levels of
accuracy without
validation of
interdependent
deviations.
Example Energy and
emission data
according to the
same
registration
systems.
Energy and
emission data
based on
measurements
Combination of
measured and
estimated values
with explainable
interdependent
deviations,
collected
according to a
single procedure
Companies have
filled in a single
questionnaire.
Interdependent
differences are
not investigated
further
Combination of
literature data
about different
companies from
different years,
with different data
Reproducibility by third
parties
Completely
reproducible
Process
description is
completely and
quantitatively
reproducible
with the used
environmental
interventions for
the processes
that determine
>80% of
environmental
impacts
Process
description is
completely and
quantitatively
reproducible
Process
description is
qualitative and
the outlines are
reproducible
Totally not
reproducible
Pagina 72 van 89
E3. Vertically aggregated processes
VERTICALLY AGGREGATED PROCESSES
To be assessed
The whole of the inputs and outputs (economic flows, with the exception of the product,
and environmental interventions) of a vertically aggregated process (LCI); and the
consistency and reproducibility of a vertically aggregated process.
When applicable Assessment of a vertically aggregated process
Indicator Pedigree
score
1 2 3 4 5
COMPLETENESS Completeness
environmental
interventions
All environmental
interventions
from the LCA-2
list* have a value
All environmental
interventions that
can be
reasonably
expected to have
a value
Interventions are
missing that can
be reasonably
expected, but
that are expected
to be less
relevant to the
environmental
profile of the
process
Interventions are
missing that can
be reasonably
expected, but
that are expected
to be relevant for
the
environmental
profile of the
process or of
which the
relevance cannot
be determined
beforehand
Missing
interventions are
unknown
Example Value can also be zero. The value can be set to zero when rationalized.
Completeness economic flows
Transparency
with respect to
the
environmental
impact related
cut-off criteria,
consistently
applied
Transparency,
not with respect
to environmental
impact relating
cut-off criteria,
consistently
applied
Cut-off criteria
not consistently
applied
Cut-off criteria
not clear, but the
processes that
are included are
specified
Unclear which
processes are
included and
which ones are
not
Example ALL
PROCESSES
THAT
CONTRIBUTE
LESS THAN 15
TO THE TOTAL
ENVIRONMENTAL TAX OF THE
AGGREGATED
PROCESS, ARE
LEFT OUT
Mass balance at process
level
Closed loop
>95%
Closed loop 90-
95%
Closed loop 80-
90%
Closed loop 70-
80%
Closed loop
<70% or
unknown
Example Mass balance = total mass incoming raw materials w.r.t. the total of products + emissions + waste
Mass balance at
company level
Is currently not determined for vertically aggregated processes (currently, it is practically infeasible
to determine this for the underlying processes, because it is common that this is not documented
and there also is no documentation requirement in ISO 14048)
Energy balance at
company level
Is currently not determined for vertically aggregated processes (currently, it is practically infeasible
to determine this for the underlying processes, because it is common that this is not documented
and there also is no documentation requirement in ISO 14048)
REPRESENTATIVENESS
Time-bounded
representativeness of
process w.r.t. the year of
assessment
<2 year
difference; or
(choose the best
option):
2-5 year
difference; or
(choose the best
option):
5-10 year
difference; or
(choose the best
option):
10-15 year
difference; or
(choose the best
option):
>15 year
difference or
unknown; or
(choose the best
option):
Pagina 73 van 89
The processes
that, together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts, are
accepted for the
period that is
studied in the
LCA
Several details of
the processes
that, together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts have
changed. It is
estimated that
this leads to
changes of less
than 5% in the
average
substance
streams
A number of
processes that,
together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts have
changed. It is
estimated that
this leads to
changes
between 5-20%
in the average
substance
streams
A number of
processes that,
together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts have
largely changed.
This can lead to
changes of >20%
in several of the
occurring
substance
streams
A number of
processes that,
together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts are no
longer applied or
are changed to
such a degree
that this can lead
to changes of
>20% in all
substance
streams.
Example LCA in 2003 with
data from 2001
A LCA in 2003
used as the most
important
process data
from 1995
Geographical
representativeness
The geographical
area of the
processes that
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts, is
directly related to
the area that
represents the
aggregated
process
The geographical
area of the
processes that
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts,
occupies a larger
area within which
the area falls that
represents the
aggregated
process
The geographical
area of the
processes that
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts, has
comparable
production
conditions as the
area that
represents the
aggregated
process
The geographical
area of the
processes that
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts, has
partly
comparable
production
conditions
The geographical
area of the
processes that
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts, has
completely
different
production
conditions /
geographical
representativene
ss unknown
Example The Netherlands
for Dutch LCI or
exclusively West-
European
processes for a
as West-
European
presented LCI
West-European
processes for a
Dutch LCI
Technological
representativeness
With regard to
the processes
that, together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts, the data
are about the
actual
companies,
processes and
products.
With regard to
the processes
that, together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts, the data
are about a
comparable
technology
With regard to
the processes
that, together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts, the data
are about the
product / process
in question, but a
different
technology.
With regard to
the processes
that, together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts, the data
are about a
comparable
product /
process, but the
same technology
With regard to
the processes
that, together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts, the data
are about a
comparable
product /
process, but a
different
technology
Example German gravel
for which Dutch
data are used
For a PVC
product, data
from a different
PVC modification
process are used
CONSISTENCY AND REPRODUCIBILITY
Uniformity and The processes The processes The processes The processes The processes
Pagina 74 van 89
consistency that, together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts, have
approximately
the same level of
quality and are
applied
consistently
that, together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts,
originate from
the same
database or are
established by
the same
organization, and
are applied
consistently
that, together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts, are
based on the
best available /
most common
data and, where
necessary, are
made consistent.
that, together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts, are
based on
common data
that, together,
determine >80%
of the
environmental
impacts, are
based on
different sources
with different
levels of
accuracy and / or
are not applied
consistently
Example The most
important
processes are
based on
primary, verified
data
The most
important
processes are
adapted in order
to make sure that
they all use the
same source for
energy data
In literature
published LCIs
with their own
energy data that
cannot be
adapted
Reproducibility by third
parties
Completely
reproducible
Process tree is
completely and
quantitatively
reproducible with
the used
environmental
interventions for
the processes
that determine
>80% of
environmental
impacts
Process tree is
completely and
quantitatively
reproducible
Process tree is
qualitative and
the outlines are
reproducible
Totally not
reproducible
Pagina 75 van 89
APPENDIX E (CONT.) EMPTY SCORE TABLES DATA QUALITY ASSESSMENT
1. Unit processes
Product Product X
Supplementary information It regards … LCA is established by agency (name) in (location)
Assessor Jan Jansen Environmental Agency
General (subjective)
assessment by assessor
regarding the usability in
library
(A=good; B=average;
C=bad)
and clarification
B for example. Despite the fact that not all quality criteria were assessed with a
high quality grade (which happened because the assessor did not personally develop the
LCA), it can be determined with adequate certainty that the process is of sufficient quality
in order to be used. Some attention has to still be paid to…
Date assessment 22-03-2004
UNIT PROCESSES
COMPLETENESS
Completeness environmental
interventions
Completeness economic flows
Mass balance at process level
Mass balance at company
level
Energy balance at company
level
REPRESENTATIVENESS
Time-bounded
representativeness of process
w.r.t. the year of assessment
Geographical
representativeness
Technological
representativeness
CONSISTENCY AND REPRODUCIBILITY
Uniformity and consistency N.A. because uniformity and consistency between processes in the LCA are, by
definition, not assessed for unit processes. It is assessed for aggregated processes.
Reproducibility by third parties
Pagina 76 van 89
2. Horizontally aggregated processes
Product
Supplementary information
Assessor
General (subjective)
assessment by assessor
regarding the usability in
library
(A=good; B=average;
C=bad)
and clarification
Date assessment
HORIZONTALLY AGGREGATED PROCESSES
COMPLETENESS
Completeness environmental
interventions
Completeness economic flows
Mass balance at process level
Mass balance at company
level
Energy balance at company
level
REPRESENTATIVENESS
Time-bounded
representativeness of process
w.r.t. the year of assessment
Completeness number of
locations / geographical
representativeness
Geographical
representativeness
Completeness number of
locations / technological
representativeness
Technological
representativeness
CONSISTENCY AND REPRODUCIBILITY
Uniformity and consistency
Reproducibility by third parties
Pagina 77 van 89
3. Vertically aggregated processes
Product
Supplementary
information
Assessor
General (subjective)
assessment by assessor
regarding the usability in
library
(A=good; B=average;
C=bad)
and clarification
Date assessment
VERTICALLY AGGREGATED PROCESSES
COMPLETENESS
Completeness
environmental interventions
Completeness economic
flows
Mass balance at process
level
Mass balance at company
level
Energy balance at company
level
REPRESENTATIVENESS
Time-bounded
representativeness of
process w.r.t. the year of
assessment
Geographical
representativeness
Technological
representativeness
CONSISTENCY AND REPRODUCIBILITY
Uniformity and consistency
Reproducibility by third
parties
Pagina 78 van 89
APPENDIX F ASSESSMENT OF VALUE OF GOODS, SERVICES AND THE TO-BE
PROCESSED WASTE STREAMS (NORMATIVE)
In many cases, the value of production (goods and services, including waste processing services) is
determined by market prices. The relevant market price is 'fob' (free on board), which is the price at the location
of the sale, without insurance and without costs of transportation to the buyer. There are cases where the
market prices are not available or where the market prices do not accurately reflect the value of the goods and
services. To arrive at a simple and uniform way of assessing the value in those cases, a list of often occurring
market pricing problems and corresponding solutions has been established. The idea of this estimating
process or constructing of a value is that this represents the privately economic value for the company and not
the social value for the society as a whole. That is why market prices are used as reference point. For market
prices, a base year is determined, which is the most recent year for which process data are available.
An overview of standard problems and solutions is given in table F.1, after which each aspect is elaborated
upon.
Table F.2 — Problems with determining the accurate value of goods and services and the corresponding solutions
Problem
Solution
1 market prices unknown use open sources, preferably 'fob'-prices
2 fluctuating prices take the yearly average over the last three years
3 inflation take the market prices of the base year or calculate backwards to the
base year
4 different currencies in different processes convert all prices to Euros
5 different years for different processes always use the converted value for the base year
6 locally deviating prices choose the price at the relevant location; if this is not available, use
the average price for the region
7 market prices only known further down the
chain
'gross sales value'-method for calculating the value
8 partially missing market prices determine prices with costs and known prices
9 insufficient market functioning (for example:
due to oligo- or monopoly)
use the market prices
10 insufficient market functioning due to
regulation
use the market prices anyways
11 price for product turns out to be a tax same as with “no market prices for public goods”
12 taxes and subsidies only correct prices for product taxes and product subsidies; no price
elasticities
13 internal company prices unknown 'gross sales value'-method for calculating the value
14 no market prices for public goods calculate the market price based on the cost price
15 developing markets use current market price
16 non-existing (future) markets prove that the future market price is based on the current price of a
comparable product
Pagina 79 van 89
1. Market prices unknown
For most goods and services, the market prices are freely available in public sources such as publications and
the internet. The so-called 'fob' market prices are more relevant than 'cif' (connected to a specific location of
delivery; the difference with ’fob’ is with regard to transportation) market prices. If market prices for specific
products cannot be found, estimation is allowed using comparable goods and services, for example products
and services with slightly better or worse quality.
Solution: Use freely available sources about market prices and estimate if these are not available.
2. Fluctuating prices
The problem of fluctuating prices is comparable with that of the fluctuating emissions. Most processes do not
have constant emissions, but emissions fluctuate hour by hour, day by day, month to month or season by
season. No long-term trend can be discovered. New installations for chemical production that have recently
become operational oftentimes have initial emissions that are relatively high, but these can be significantly
reduced within the first year due to tuning of the installation. At the end of the service life of the installation,
emissions rise again. For market prices, fluctuations can occur due to, for example, a cyclical market. A
strongly fluctuating market price can be averaged over an entire base year. Market prices that are influenced
by long-term trends and fluctuations can be approximated using data series over longer planning horizons.
Solution: Take the yearly average over the last three years.
3. Inflation
With regard to allocation, inflation is not considered a substantial problem, because the contributions to total
value are used in the economic allocation and the not the absolute prices. This is not based on the prices but
on the price ratios. For the value-corrected substitution, it is required that the prices for construction in the base
year are calculated backwards using the price index grade.
Solution: Take the market prices of the base year or calculate backwards to the base year.
4. Different currencies in different processes
For economic allocation, this is no problem as long as a single currency is used within a single process. The
exchange rates date back to the same year as the process data that has to be used for this conversion of the
currency. Exchange rate data are found in the overviews of the UN / World Bank or the IMF national accounts.
Conversion to a single currency is required for the value-corrected substitution.
Solution: Convert all prices to Euros.
5. Different years in different processes
For economic allocation, this is no problem as long as a single year is used within a single process. The base
year has to be used for the value-corrected substitution.
Solution: Always use the converted value for the base year.
6. Locally deviating prices
For some products, especially those with a low price in relation to the transportation costs, significant
differences can exist between the prices on different locations. Transportation has to be dealt with as an
independent process.
Solution: Choose the price at the relevant location. If this is not available, use the average price for the region.
Pagina 80 van 89
7. Market prices only known further down the chain
In many cases, the market prices of a product become clear when the product is processes into a marketable
standard form. The transformation of metal from mixed waste to standard quality metal that can be re-used is
such an example. For the reusable metal, for example aluminum bars, market prices are available. The market
price for the metal after the multifunctional process of waste collecting and sorting is oftentimes unknown,
because this varies heavily with the quantity of supplied metal, the quality, transportation distances etc. If the
generation of the metal and the sorting of the waste occur within the same company, the 'gross sales value'-
method, as mentioned under bullet 13, can be used. If generation and sorting occur within different companies,
the market prices of standard quality re-used metal can be used to backwards calculate the market price of the
sorted metal. The known market price of the marketable product is taken and the costs of the generation are
subtracted until we arrive at a point where economic allocation is desired. The costs for the generation are
estimated based on accounting data and, if those are not available, based on experience. The costs are
calculated including the normal profit for the company.
Solution: Use the 'Gross sales value'-method for calculating the value (see bullet 13).
8. Partially missing market prices
In some cases, the market prices of several products are known, and from others they are not. An example of
this is the electricity that is produced during the waste incineration and then sold. The market price for the
product waste processing, for example, can be found by subtracting the electricity sales revenues from the
total processing costs.
Solution: Calculate the price by subtracting the revenues of the marketable products from the total costs.
9. Insufficient market functioning (for example: due to oligo- or monopoly)
Oftentimes, the market functions insufficiently due to economic circumstances. Such an economic
circumstance happens when the production requires a capacity that is larger than the demand. Examples are
electricity networks, cable television and operating systems for computers. Another form of insufficient market
functioning happens when there is a lack of transparency with regard to product quality. Oftentimes, this is a
problem with to be re-used materials. Different levels of quality of generated material are not classified as such
and the costs of any possible classification are substantial (for example low grade aluminum waste). In similar
situations, a market for re-used aluminum will not come into existence because investments in the re-use of
aluminum have a risk that is too high. Insufficient market functioning can affect the market prices, but this effect
seems to be limited, especially with allocation where only relative prices are significant. No consideration is
required.
Solution: Use the market prices.
10. Insufficient market functioning due to regulation
This is the most complex form of insufficient market functioning. As example, we assume that no recycling
market exists “by itself” for the to-be demolished residential constructions, but where it is required to recycle
the to-be demolished residential construction. The clean debris that originates from a demolished residential
construction can be used as foundational material for highways. These operational rules (prohibited to dump
debris, re-use as foundational material) reflect the preferences of the society. Like virtually all markets, these
markets have been established due to governmental intervention (regulations). These prices that are
experienced as artificial have to be used in a normal fashion.
Solution: Even in situations where prices are significantly influenced by regulation, these prices have to be
used anyways.
Pagina 81 van 89
11. Price for product or service turns out to be a tax
In many cases, a price is paid for a supplied product of service, but this price is actually a form of taxation with
regard to general financing of a government. An example of this is the cleaning tax. If such taxes are
approximately the same as the actual costs for the delivery of such a service or product, these can be used for
an initial indication of the value of processing. In different cases, the situation is like the situation with market
prices for public goods, see bullet 14.
Solution: If a tax matches the cost price of the product or service, use this tax. In other cases, act like one
would with market prices for public goods (bullet 14).
12. Taxes and subsidies
The effective price that the producer receives motivates his or her actions.
Who gets to pay and receive the product taxes and product subsidies depends on the demand and supply
elasticities of the involved products. Essentially, the burdens of these taxes are shared by the seller and the
buyer. Actual elasticities, however, are barely known. An example is the taxation on gasoline. For the allocation
between gasoline and the other petroleum distillates, these taxes have to be subtracted from the market price.
Only corrections for product taxes and product subsidies are necessary; all other taxes and subsidies can be
excluded from consideration.
Solution: Only correct the market price for product taxes and product subsidies, without considering the price
elasticities of demand and supply.
13. Internal company prices unknown
In many cases, internal company processes are documented in a detailed fashion while market prices are only
known when an end product is sold by the company. Some of the internal company processes supply a
contribution to the revenues in the form of just one, others in the form of two or more end products. An example
of this is the compression and storage of only chloride in the combined process of chloride, sodium hydroxide
solution (caustic soda) and hydrogen production. For the determination of a zero euro-point and for economic
allocation of this process, the market price is required that applies within the company at the detailed internal
company processes level (in the example, process A).
The values of the different product streams within the company can be determined with the 'gross sales value'-
method just like how it is used in management accounting. The contribution to the total revenue of a process
within the company is measured using the contribution to the total costs. For each process within the company,
the contribution to the total costs is calculated in order to backwards calculate the production output of each
other process within the company. For a process that only functions for one product, such as process B, the
added value is subtracted from the selling price to calculate the value of this processing step.
Solution: 'Gross sales value'-method for the backwards calculation of internal value. The total benefit to the
firm is known. For all processes within the firm, calculate their contribution to the total costs, which equals the
added value of the internal company process. This contribution is used for the contribution of a process to the
total benefits, see figure F.1. The result is an overview of prices for all products that are produced under the
company umbrella.
14. No market prices for public goods
Public goods and services such as infrastructural works and an important part of the waste processing have no
market (market prices for specialized waste processing and waste processing of production waste are
oftentimes available). No sales exist, but there are costs. In the ideal scenario, societal value is created by
allocating the multifunctional public good over all functions that the public good fulfils. This is practically
impossible. By simplifying the questions, a value
Pagina 82 van 89
Figure F.1 — Contribution in corrected total revenues as allocation factor
for the public good is established: the cost price. For example, this applies to roads, dikes and transportation
canals. The same type of problem exists for waste processing financed with taxes. It can also be solved in the
same fashion.
Solution: Calculate the value of the by the government produced good using the cost price.
15. Developing markets
For products with a very long throughput time, the recycling process has barely any or no meaning. The market
for the recycled products has barely or not yet developed. The first step is that the future modification process
is specified. With regard to this situation, the market price is not known. This future market price could be made
‘hard’ in the same way as the process specification itself. This, however, is not necessary because the current
prices can be used.
Solution: Estimate the market price of the relevant product based on the current market price.
16. Non-existing (future) markets
With non-existing (future) markets, there is no current market price. This case refers to the not yet existing
recycle products. The future price has to be estimated. This is an exceptional situation, where a pretty
substantial prove is necessary.
Solution: Prove the value of to-be expected price, for example based on the price of a very comparable
existing product, in terms of the price level of the base year.
Company with combined process A, and several
processes B and C
single
process B
combined
process A single
process C
a
SP1'
SP2'
SP1
SP2
Corrected revenues for a product are:
P1' = P1 TCB / TCA+B+C x (P1 + P2)
The allocation factor F1 for a product
such as the one produced by process A
is its contribution in the corrected total
revenues of the product sales at
company level:
F1 = P1' / (P1' + P2')
Pagina 83 van 89
APPENDIX G. KEY ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATOR WASTE
This appendix describes how one arrives at the waste categories “Dangerous waste” and “Non-dangerous
waste”, as proposed by the VLCA in spring 2011. The background is that (in 2011) it was not yet possible to
‘automatically’ calculate waste indicators with SimaPro, in the same fashion as was done for the impact
categories.
Procedure:
1. per life cycle stage
waste flows from Ecoinvent
2. calculate the contribution overview in SimaPro, these are used to identify the Ecoinvent datasheets related
to waste
3. aggregate impact in waste categories using the associations indicated in column H and the weights in
column I (cannot be done in SimaPro, use macro/spreadsheet copy paste add-on) from worksheet "EI
waste to treatment selection"
finale waste flows from other databases, including the project database
4. calculate the LCI; these are used to identify the final waste streams from the substance lists, from non
Ecoinvent datasheets
5. check the LCI for missing waste categories, add them, report the additions in the LCA report, share the
results periodically with the VLCA
6. aggregate impacts from the LCI labelled as waste in waste categories using the example associations
indicated in column H and I (this can be done in SimaPro). Show the LCIA method that you are using in the
verification report, show the list of non-classified substances in the verification report as well.
calculate results
7. add both up for per life cycle stage per functional unit, report on the MRPI-declaration, include the
spreadsheet to the MRPI-file for verification
make sure to use
8. VLCA will keep this template available on her website, including the results for the background processes
described in the SBK Bepalingsmethode
The EN15804 requires the reporting of the following waste categories:
a. hazardous waste disposed kg
b. non-hazardous waste disposed kg
c. radioactive waste disposed kg
d. components for re-use kg
e. materials for recycling kg
f. materials for energy recovery kg
The Assessment Method combines a and c:
waste categories interpretation
i. dangerous waste kg = a + c
ii. non-dangerous waste kg = b
Pagina 84 van 89
APPENDIX H. FORMAT BASE PROFILE AND PRODUCT / ITEM CARD
As LCA executer, it is good to educate yourself with the calculation rules in order to have insight into how the
instruments in the B&U and in the civil engineering works (GWW) sector process the data that is offered to the
NMD. See www.milieudatabase.nl.
B&U
For the B&U product cards and base profiles, the following relevant parameters are derived from the
calculation rules. Not all parameters continue to be relevant: for this, see the column ‘Relevance’.
Parameter Code calculation rule
Input application Relevance Clarification
Product - characteristics
Data-category - selection category 1, 2
Element code - selection list with elements, where product is applied
Product name - free text Suggestion for naming in Manual
Product service life LDp whole number between 0-1000; default in service life catalogue SBR
Transportation distance to construction site
Tb whole number defaults are 50 km for bulk and 150 km for others
Basic profile transportation (A4)
tc selection custom base profile (cat 1 or 2), or generic profile(cat 3)
Volume transportation fTvol;o selection yes or now; correction factor volume transportation for product parts [-]
Product - scaling
Type of scaling - selection N.A., linear or mass according to table
Default dimension 1 Dim1;def decimal number with linearity with m1 or m2
Default dimension 2 Dim2;def decimal number with linearity with m1
Scalable dimension 1 Dim1sch decimal number with linearity with m1 or m2
Scalable dimension 2 Dim2sch decimal number with linearity with m1
Table name - free text with mass according to table
declare table with product components
Default choice - free text with mass according to table
selection from table headings
Product – product information
Clarification for product - free text notification of abnormalities relating to the product such as bordering
Product component - product
Product component i - free text max. 10 components; reference to what it is
Code base profile production (A1-A3)
pc selection list with base profiles production; custom base profile (cat 1 of 2), or generic profile (cat 3)
Number of elements hvh decimal number quantity base profile (for example number of kg)
Variant name - free text with mass according to table
max. 4 variants
Dimension - decimal number with mass according to table
dimension per variant
Number of units - decimal number with mass according to table
number of units per variant
Scale factor Sfo decimal number with linearity number between 0.0-1.0
Construction waste Bafv percentage between 0-1000; default in service life catalogue SBR
Opmerkingen (zwart=meegenomen in berekening, rood=in te voeren basisprofiel, grijs=niet in berekening meegenomen)
1 Bij B1 gaat het vooral om emissies/afspoeling/uitloging in de gebruiksfase
2 B2, het onderhoud, wordt op een vergelijkbare manier ingevoerd als A (Product stage)
3 B3 is niet geoperationaliseerd
4 B4 wordt automatisch meegenomen via de rekenregels (vervangingsfrequentie)
5 B5 wordt automatisch meegenomen bij toepassing rekenregels bestaande bouw (addendum - site SBK)
6 B6 + B7 betreffen het energie- en watergebruik, en zijn dus niet relevant voor MPG
7 C1, C4, en D worden samen met C3 als geaggregeerd profiel behandeld
8 C2, Transport van sloopplaats naar afvalverwerkingsinstallatie, wordt o.b.v. standaardwaarden opgenomen (evt. volumetransport via product-/itemkaart)
Toelichting bij invoer basisprofielen in NMD
D
A 1 A 2 A 3 A 4 A 5 B 1 B 2 B 3 B 4 B 5 C1 C2 C3 C4 D