Understanding the USDA BioPreferred Program – Federal Procurement vs Voluntary Labeling
The United States Department of Agriculture administers the BioPreferred Program, which was created by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (FSRIA or 2002 Farm Bill) and extended through provisions of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA or 2008 Farm Bill). The BioPreferred Program consists of two initiatives – the federal procurement preference program and the voluntary labeling program.
Fast Facts:
| Federal Preferred Procurement Program | Voluntary Labeling Program | |
| Effective Date (Final Rule) | February 10, 2005 | February 22, 2011 |
| Purpose/Goal |
To increase the purchase and use of biobased products by federal agencies and their contractors
|
To clearly identify commercial and industrial biobased products in the market and promote their purchase and use by the general public |
| Eligible Products | Goods belonging to product categories established under the program except mature market products (i.e. products with significant market share in 1972) | All biobased finished products, intermediates, and feedstock that meet the required minimum biobased content of the program except food, fuel, feed products, and mature market products |
| Minimum Biobased Content Requirements | Depends on the product category (designated items and their minimum biobased content requirements found here) | If the product belongs to an existing product category under the Federal Preferred Procurement Program, it must meet the minimum biobased content of the category.
Products that do not belong to existing product categories under the Federal Procurement Program must be at least 25% biobased to qualify. Manufacturers of products with less than 25% biobased content may petition the USDA for an alternative minimum biobased content allowance. |
| ASTM D6866 Testing | Not required, but recommended (biobased content self-certification accepted) | Required (self-certification not accepted) |
| BioPreferred Catalog Listing |
Yes
|
Products that receive the BioPreferred label are automatically listed in the BioPreferred catalog if they meet the minimum biobased content standard for their corresponding product category. |
| USDA Certified Biobased Product Label Affixed | Only if the product manufacturer or vendor successfully applies for the label. |
Yes |
| US Federal Register Reference |
|
|
| Application Process | Submit product information for BioPreferred Catalog inclusion in www.biopreferred.gov and comply with requirements for federal government vendors (info found here) | Applicants are required to submit application forms to the USDA, agree to biobased product testing by an accredited laboratory, and provide current information about the product, company contact information, and Web site address (if available). Forms and further instructions available at www.biopreferred.gov by Feb. 21, 2011 |
For details, contact the USDA BioPreferred Program.
Note: ISO 17025-accredited Beta Analytic offers ASTM D6866 testing. The company is not affiliated with the USDA or the BioPreferred Program.
Related posts:
- [Top Story] USDA BioPreferred Voluntary Labeling Program Requires ASTM D6866 Biobased Content Testing
- USDA Requires ASTM D6866 Biobased Testing in Voluntary Labeling Program
- What Makes the USDA BioPreferred Label Different from Other Ecolabels?
- USDA Adds 14 Biobased Categories for Preferred Federal Purchasing
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