Stichting MRPI: Dutch EPD Fast Track
Selling into the Netherlands without an MRPI-registered EPD is like showing up to a speed-dating event without a name tag—you’ll be invisible long before you can pitch performance claims. Dutch building codes, public tenders, and most big contractors now pull environmental scores straight from the Nationale Milieudatabase (NMD). Only EPDs vetted by Stichting MRPI slide into that database automatically, which means your product lands on the shortlist while competitors wait at the gate.
MRPI in one minute
Founded in 1995, Stichting MRPI is the Dutch program operator that publishes Environmental Product Declarations in line with EN 15804 and ISO 14025. It is an established member of ECO Platform and currently lists 572 active EPDs—more than double its 2022 tally—placing it in the “Large” operator category (ECO Platform, 2025). Every MRPI-flagged EPD carries the ECO Platform logo, so it travels well beyond Dutch borders.
Why Dutch projects demand the MRPI badge
A building in the Netherlands must hit a MilieuPrestatie Gebouwen (MPG) score during permitting. Design teams use the NMD viewer to calculate that score, and only MRPI or NMD-category data can feed the tool. Skip MRPI and you force architects to plug in generic averages that often look worse than your real numbers. Translation: fewer specs, slower deals.
One pipeline, two databases
Once your EPD clears MRPI’s third-party review, it moves straight into the NMD as Category 1 data. No extra forms, no second audit. That linkage matters because the NMD charges an annual fee per declaration: €568 for the first two and as little as €19 once you pass thirty entries (NMD Rates 2025). Bundling the upload with MRPI eliminates back-and-forth and keeps costs predictable.
Verification rhythm and lead times
MRPI convenes an independent reviewer panel every month. If your LCA dossier is watertight, certificates often publish four to six weeks after submission—roughly half the time quoted by several other European operators, according to public lead-time surveys (ECO Portal Survey, 2024). Delay usually creeps in when manufacturers forget background data for electricity mixes or transport legs. Have thier utility invoices and weighbridge slips ready.
Data checklist for smoother sailing
- Utility bills for the chosen reference year
- Mass balance of in-bound materials (kg per functional unit)
- Waste treatment routes with EWC codes
- Packaging breakdown for A5 impacts
- Evidence of renewable electricity contracts if claimed
That stack covers 90 % of verifier questions in our experience.
Cost signals you should know
MRPI itself charges no publication fee; the cost sits with your LCA partner and the verifier. Budget separately for the NMD annual contribution noted above. Many Dutch manufacturers amortize that fee across project bids because an MRPI EPD can tip qualification on public projects over €5 million, where MPG caps tighten every January (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland, 2025).
Picking the right LCA partner
Ask three things:
- Do they map your bill of materials to EN 15804 A2 indicators?
- Can they collect plant data without hijacking production staff time?
- Have they published with MRPI in the past twelve months?
A yes on all three cuts risk to nearly zero and keeps the month-long review window realistic.
Quick recap
If the Dutch market is on your radar, an MRPI-validated EPD is no longer a nice-to-have. It feeds the NMD automatically, unlocks MPG compliance, and travels across Europe under the ECO Platform banner. Clear data, the right partner, and a little calendar discipline turn the process from chore into competitive edge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does MRPI accept EPDs created under the older EN 15804 +A1 format?
Yes, but only until December 31 2025. After that date, all new or renewed certificates must follow EN 15804 +A2, matching Dutch MPG calculation rules (MRPI Program Instructions v4).
Can I list the same EPD in both MRPI and another program operator?
Dual listing is possible if both operators recognise the same PCR and verifier, but you will pay each operator’s upload or maintenance fees separately.
How often do I need to update product data once the EPD is published?
MRPI requires renewal every five years. Significant process changes (>10 % energy use or material mass) trigger an earlier revision.
Is an MRPI EPD mandatory for LEED or BREEAM credits in the Netherlands?
No; any third-party verified EN 15804 EPD earns material credits, but MRPI data makes local LCA tools auto-populate, which speeds up documentation.
About the Author
Walker Ryan is a climate-tech entrepreneur focused on driving industrial decarbonization through better data. As the founder and CEO of Parq, he helps manufacturers generate high-quality, third-party–verified carbon disclosures at scale—accelerating a traditionally slow and expensive process. Before starting Parq, Walker led over $200 million in sustainability-focused investments as VP of Strategy & Growth at ReStream Solutions, following earlier experience in investment banking at Deutsche Bank. He brings a rare mix of capital markets expertise and hands-on sustainability knowledge to tackling the infrastructure of industrial emissions.
