Green Deal 154: Biobased building, decoded
Confused about how a 2013 Dutch Green Deal still shapes today’s specs and EPD choices? Green Deal 154 lit the fuse for biobased building in the Netherlands, and its ripple effects now run straight through the NMD, MPG scores, and your product roadmap.
What Green Deal 154 actually did
Green Deal 154, signed in 2013, convened government and industry to level the playing field for biobased materials in Dutch construction. It put a spotlight on missing environmental data and inconsistent evaluation methods, which later pushed the system toward standardized LCAs and declarations in the Nationale Milieudatabase.
The policy sequel: funding, targets, and supply chains
The National Approach to Biobased Building launched with 200 million euros to scale biobased materials and markets through 2030. The headline goal is 30 percent of new homes built with at least 30 percent biobased content by 2030, backed by plans for at least 25 producer chains, expansion of fiber crop acreage from roughly 2,000 to 50,000 hectares, and processing capacity of 400,000 tons per year by 2030. In 2024, progress markers cited about 4,000 hectares and 12,000 tons as a starting point (Rijksoverheid, 2023). (rijksoverheid.nl)
Where EPDs come in: NMD and the Dutch MPG
If a product is not in the NMD, project teams struggle to claim its benefits in the Dutch building permit score, the MilieuPrestatie Gebouwen. Category 1 data is product specific and verified, category 2 is sector data and verified, category 3 is generic. Think of Category 1 as your product’s passport into Dutch carbon accounting. Without it, designers default to conservative proxies and your material risks getting sidelined.
New momentum for biobased EPDs
Manufacturers can recieve direct support to close data gaps. NMD’s Biobased in the NMD program extends through 2026 and includes a reimbursement of €2,500 per LCA for products that are verified and included in the database, with a target of adding at least 70 biobased products. The plan also develops around 20 new category 3 declarations and roughly 30 basic processes to speed modeling of biobased flows (NMD, 2025). (NMD, 2025) (milieudatabase.nl)
The shifting rulebook: MPG changes and timing
Housing thresholds were debated in 2024 and 2025, and the expected tightening for homes was set aside while the ministry reviewed cost impacts. Offices face a 15 percent stricter requirement and new MPG requirements will apply to other building types. The package was published with an in‑force date of July 1, 2026 (Volkshuisvesting Nederland, 2025). (Volkshuisvesting Nederland, 2025) (volkshuisvestingnederland.nl)
Practical takeaway for manufacturers
Treat the NMD as the scoreboard and your EPD as the stat line. A verified, NMD‑ready declaration is the difference between your product speaking for itself or being translated into a generic average that hides its strengths. It also shortens the back‑and‑forth in permitting and cuts the risk of last‑minute swaps for products with better documented impacts.
How to align your next EPD with Dutch reality
- Pick the right rulebook. Anchor your LCA in EN 15804 and the Dutch Assessment Method so it can be accepted as Category 1 data in the NMD. If competitors use a specific PCR, use that as your baseline to maintain comparability.
- Design for the NMD from day one. Model Dutch transport, energy mixes, and end‑of‑life scenarios. Confirm background data versions early, since rework here wastes calendar.
- Close the loop on verification and submission. Work with an experienced verifier who knows NMD checks. If eligible, apply for the biobased LCA reimbursement to offset study costs (NMD, 2025). (NMD, 2025) (milieudatabase.nl)
What to look for in an LCA partner
Pick teams that simplify data collection across sites, not ones that hand you a spreadsheet and wish you luck. Insist on fluent NMD know‑how, familiarity with MRPI and other European program operators, and project management that shields R&D and plant leaders from the admin drag. Speed matters when MPG rules evolve and bid windows are short.
Why this matters commercially
Many Dutch projects must report MPG. If your product carries a verified, NMD‑listed EPD, designers can count its real performance instead of a conservative generic. That avoids hidden penalties and keeps you in serious contention when carbon caps and budgets collide. The spend on an EPD is often offset by a single mid‑sized win, even if exact payback varies by project scope.
Bottom line for Green Deal 154
The 2013 deal started a culture shift. Today the levers are concrete, from NABB funding and targets to NMD reimbursements and a dated MPG rollout. If you align your EPD with the Dutch method, your biobased product shows up in the numbers that decide specs. That is the practical path from field to façade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Netherlands still fund biobased scale up and what are the 2030 targets?
Yes. The National Approach to Biobased Building earmarked €200M with goals for 30% of new homes using at least 30% biobased content by 2030, along with expansion to 50,000 ha of fiber crops and 400,000 t processing capacity. 2024 markers showed ~4,000 ha and 12,000 t (Rijksoverheid, 2023). (rijksoverheid.nl)
Is there financial help for creating EPDs for biobased products?
NMD’s program offers €2,500 per LCA if the verified product is included in the database, with a goal to add at least 70 products by 2026 (NMD, 2025). (NMD, 2025) (milieudatabase.nl)
When do the next MPG changes hit and who is affected?
Published changes take effect July 1, 2026. Office thresholds tighten by 15% and MPG applies to more building types. Housing tightening was paused during cost review, with a policy neutral conversion to the new method for now (Volkshuisvesting Nederland, 2025). (Volkshuisvesting Nederland, 2025) (volkshuisvestingnederland.nl)
About the Author
Eric works at the intersection of sustainability, regulation, and business strategy, helping manufacturers navigate the evolving landscape of EPDs and LCAs. Having spoken with hundreds of teams across North America, brings a deep understanding of what drives ROI, what regulators are asking for, and how companies can stay ahead with smart, scalable approaches to environmental reporting.
