In the Netherlands, due to the large infrastructure and waterway projects from the 1980's onwards, much experience was developed using probabilistic design. Due to the vast extent of e.g. the Eastern Scheldt Storm Surge Barrier, these structures could not have been designed economically using conventional engineering. The probabilistic approach is reflected in the building and geotechnical standards which were introduced in the early 1990's. These standards were based on a target probability of failure or reliability index β. Probabilistic analyses (Monte Carlo) were undertaken to determine the partial load and material factors. These analyses were also performed for geotechnical structures, leading to a large set of material factors for soil properties. The old method of Ultimate Limit State analysis consisting of overall resistance factors was then replaced by partial factors. Consequently, when Eurocode 7 was established around 2000, Design Approach 3 adopting partial load and material factors was preferred in the Netherlands as its philosophy is similar to the 1991 Dutch building codes.