Research and consultancy for a sustainable society

Companies, governments and societal organizations increasingly need to deal with questions related to the sustainability of their products and services. Do they still fulfill the requirements set by the society of today? Can the (sometimes unknown) effects of our actions lead to reputation damage, or worse? Which risks are connected to the use of certain chemicals? How do we design a building in a sustainable way? How can we keep our public space livable? IVAM works together with you on optimal solutions to this type of questions.

IVAM approaches sustainability issues from multiple angles. Besides the environmental aspect, also social-ethical issues, occupational health aspects and financial feasibility play important roles: “People, planet, profit”.

In the following fields IVAM offers a variety of products and services:
Sustainable urban development
Chain management and life cycle assessment (LCA)
International Corporate Social Responsibility
Behaviour and policy studies  
Environmental and societal impacts of nanotechnology 
Chemical risks


Sustainable urban development

In a district, urban or rural, a lot of activities are performed like living, working, learning, traveling, recreation. To give space to all of these activities a district needs to be developed in a logical way. IVAM commits herself to develop districts in a sustainable way. Our consultants can offer services on different levels: from advise on sustainable construction projects and building design to districts or entire cities.

 Examples of products:

  • Sustainability Profile of a Location (DPL): a computer instrument which quantifies the sustainability of a district and indicates its strengths and weaknesses. DPL can be applied to both existing and planned districts. It allows you to give sustainability a clear position in urban planning.
  • Besides measuring sustainability IVAM can also advise you on improvements of sustainable districts or plans, e.g. on climate neutral districts, parks and water, and commercial areas.

For more information, contact Jaap Kortman


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Chain management and life cycle assessment (LCA)

Environmental impacts of a product occur in all stages of its life cycle. IVAM performs Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) to quantify the total environmental impact of your product or service. In this way, IVAM provides you with concrete advice on where in the life cycle relevant reductions of environmental impact can be achieved, or which scenario is most environmentally benign.

 Examples of products:

  • EcoQuantum. The environmental performance of a building is determined by many factors, such as material-, energy- and water consumption, interior climate and location of a building. With the EcoQuantum program (based on LCA calculations), the environmental performance of a building can be expressed in one or more numbers.
  • Carbon footprint: results of an LCA can be used to calculate the carbon footprint of a product or a company.

For more information, contact Harry van Ewijk


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International Corporate Social Responsibility

IVAM supports companies and their supply chains in the Netherlands and abroad in making CSR profitable. IVAM has a customised range of instruments for improving efficiency at companies, in their supply chain and their sales market. IVAM has access to both processing and technical experts who are also knowledgeable and experienced in many sectors in over 25 countries.

Examples of products:

  • IVAM trains small and medium businesses (SMEs) in Asia in Cleaner Production and Consumption techniques (a.o. China, Mongolia and Sri Lanka). This is of interest too for European companies with Asian suppliers which want to take responsibility over their whole product chain and make it more sustainable.
  • to support internationally trading companies putting CSR into practice, IVAM initiated the One-Stop-Shop for international corporate social responsibility. Here you can get advice on CSR issues dealing with strategy and implementation, foreign investments, communication and financing.

For more information, contact Jaap van der Meer


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Public support, behaviour and policy evaluation 

Social aspects of sustainability are investigated on multiple levels: from energy consumption of individual households to cleaner municipal traffic- and transport systems. IVAM investigates the possibilities to improve sustainable behaviour in households. IVAM also performs evaluations of the effects of behaviour experiments or energy policy.
In addition, IVAM contributes to the development of information material and education programs for schools and other educational organizations.

Examples of products:

  • with a public support survey on wind energy, IVAM helps municipal authorities to involve inhabitants at an early stage in the development of wind energy projects. Local authorities gain insight in their inhabitants’ knowledge on wind energy, their desire for information and their interest in possible participation.
  • the “opportunities chart”: for organizations or companies, IVAM analyzes the possibilities for energy saving, CO2 emission reduction or other sustainability measures.

Where are the possibilities, what is the effect, what are the costs and how big are the chances of success?

For more information, contact Jan Uitzinger




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Environmental and societal impacts of nanotechnology 

The implications and risks of nanotechnology for occupational health and the environment are studied in the broad context of chemical risk assessment, ethical aspects, applying a precautionary and sustainable approach, life cycle assessment and stakeholder analysis.

Examples of products:

  • Support of trade union and NGOs in the nanodebate. IVAM provides these organizations with information on the knowledge and uncertainties in the field of nanotechnology, as well as its risks and benefits for society.
  • IVAM develops exposure assessment strategies and models to determine exposure to nanoparticles in the workplace.

Productfolders: Nanotechnology

For more information, contact Pieter van Broekhuizen


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Chemical risks  - in the workplace and at home

IVAM provides insight into the effects of the use of substances and products – at home and at work. IVAM has comprehensive knowledge of substances, product policy and production processes.

Examples of products:

  • Exposure assessment dangerous substances or processes: for companies, branches and governmental organizations, IVAM outlines the occupational exposure to dangerous substances. In addition, IVAM advises on how to limit or prevent these exposures.
  • IVAM offer technical support in judicial claims on occupational diseases to lawyers, employees, employers and organizations. IVAM can support you as a technical expert in a legal case or perform a historical exposure assessment for your clients.

For more information, contact Pieter van Broekhuizen


Environmental risks of chemicals

IVAM maps out all the chemical and toxicological properties of substances and products for you. IVAM combines thorough knowledge of environmental chemistry, labour hygiene and (eco) toxicology with know-how in the relevant policy frameworks and accompanying instruments.

Examples of products:

  • voor producers of chemicals IVAM creates dossiers for the application of an Ecolabel or for registration of chemicals within the REACH framework.
  • substitution of chemicals: IVAM offers tailor-made support to companies which want to replace harmful substances or products by less harmful ones.

Product folders:

For more information, contact Hildo Krop


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