On September 10, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposed update to its Recommendations of Specifications, Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing. These guidelines assist federal government purchasers and other buyers in utilizing private sector standards and ecolabels to acquire more sustainable, climate-friendly products with safer chemical ingredients. This marks the first comprehensive evaluation of standards and ecolabels by the EPA in nearly a decade.
The Recommendations aim to identify thousands of products and services across 35 categories that conserve energy or water, include more recycled content, or reduce the use of PFAS and single-use plastics. By guiding federal purchasers towards environmentally preferable products and services, these recommendations can save taxpayer money, reduce climate impacts, and prevent pollution.
The Biden-Harris Administration’s Executive Order on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability directs federal agencies to prioritize procurement of sustainable products that meet EPA’s Recommendations.
The proposed update includes adding 14 standards and ecolabels across three new product categories—healthcare, laboratories, clothing and uniforms—and expanding the existing food service ware sub-category.
"With hundreds of ecolabels in the marketplace, EPA’s Recommendations cut through the clutter and give federal purchasers and other sustainability-conscious consumers confidence when making purchasing decisions," said Jennie Romer, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention in EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. "Updating the Recommendations ensures the power of federal procurement continues to advance the federal government’s effort to purchase products and services that are sustainable and climate friendly."
If finalized, these updates would provide new guidance for purchasing sustainable products across four categories divided into nine sub-categories. The food service ware sub-category would be expanded from one recommended ecolabel covering compostable products to include three additional standards for reusable, certified compostable, and certified recyclable items. A new resource outlining best practices for procuring food service ware is also available on EPA's website.
EPA assessed third-party standards' environmental sustainability under its Framework for Assessment of Environmental Performance Standards and Ecolabels. In April 2022, stronger eligibility criteria were announced requiring each standard or ecolabel to have competent third-party verification programs. Seven standards or ecolabels are proposed for removal due to non-compliance with these requirements or discontinuation.
Public comments on these proposed updates will be accepted for 30 days post-publication via docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2022-0835 at Regulations.gov. Feedback will inform final updates to the Recommendations.
