The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a proposed update to its “Recommendations of Specifications, Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing,” designed to guide government purchasers and other buyers in identifying environmentally sustainable products. These recommendations are used to help identify thousands of products and services that are more sustainable, climate-friendly, or contain safer chemical ingredients across 35 product and service categories. The criteria for these products include energy or water conservation, increased recycled content, and a reduction in the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and single-use plastics. The new proposals follow the Biden administration’s introduction last year of a Sustainable Products and Services procurement rule, which mandates federal government buyers to prioritize sustainable products and services. Under this rule, agencies are required to adhere to EPA’s Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels, with an expansion of the categories covered by EPA Ecolabel standards. These rules were enacted in April 2024. As the world’s largest consumer of goods and services, the U.S. government spends more than $700 billion on various buy last year.
The EPA’s reform program aims to further support sustainable procurement by expanding recommendations to new sectors such as health care, laboratories and clothing. The update will also introduce 14 new environmental standards and labels, expanding the category of food containers to include reusable products, and guaranteeing composting and recycling. Additionally, EPA is considering removing seven environmental standards or labels from its recommendations. These standards and other eligibility criteria have recently been strengthened for agencies that do not meet or have been discontinued or are no longer required by law. Jenny Romer, deputy director of pollution control at the EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Control, said the updated recommendations will help agency agents and consumers who continues to navigate the eco-label market. Romer said the environmental standards and labeling in the EPA’s recommendations have proven effective in achieving sustainability on a large scale.