USDA BioPreferred Federal Procurement Preference Program
- Federal agencies are required to create procurement programs preferring biobased products
- Companies can use ASTM D6866 certification to confirm a product's biobased content.
- ISO 17025-accredited and ISO 9001-conformant Beta Analytic provides ASTM D6866 testing.
- Beta Analytic is not an affiliate of the USDA BioPreferred Program.
Federal agencies and their contractors are required to buy products with the highest biobased content. This applies to cumulative purchases of at least $10,000 as long as the selected biobased product is readily available, meets established performance standards, and is reasonably priced.
Any manufacturer or vendor can apply under the program if their products contain the required biobased levels established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a designated item. The program is open to all biobased products regardless of origin. Details of the Procurement Program are found in the Federal Register.
Beta Analytic recommends that interested parties contact the USDA to get a preliminary assessment on a product's eligibility under the BioPreferred Program especially if the manufacturer or distributor is not based in the US.
ASTM Method D6866 Product Certification
A BioPreferred Program applicant may provide ASTM D6866 certification as proof of the biobased content of the product he wants listed in the USDA BioPreferred Catalog. Federal agencies choose the biobased products they procure from this catalog.
Minimum Biobased Content for Designated Items
The following is a list of the USDA's designated items and their required minimum biobased content as of January 2010. Click here to view the entire list and the item descriptions in the BioPreferred Web site.
Designated Items |
Minimum Biobased Content |
| 2-Cycle Engine Oils | 34% |
| Adhesive and Mastic Removers | 58% |
| Bathroom and Spa Cleaners | 74% |
| Bedding, Bed Linens, and Towels | 12% |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners - General Purpose | 54% |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners - Spot Removers | 7% |
| Carpets | 7% |
| Chain and Cable Lubricants | 77% |
| Composite Panels - Acoustical | 37% |
| Composite Panels - Interior Panels | 55% |
| Composite Panels - Plastic Lumber | 23% |
| Composite Panels - Structural Interior Panels | 89% |
| Composite Panels - Structural Wall Panels | 94% |
| Concrete and Asphalt Release Fluids | 87% |
| Corrosion Preventatives | 53% |
| De-Icers - General Purpose | 93% |
| Diesel Fuel Additives | 90% |
| Disposable Containers | 72% |
| Disposable Cutlery | 48% |
| Dust Suppressants | 85% |
| Fertilizers | 71% |
| Films - Non-Durable | 85% |
| Films - Semi-Durable | 45% |
| Firearm Lubricants | 49% |
| Floor Strippers | 78% |
| Fluid-Filled Transformers - Synthetic Ester-Based | 66% |
| Fluid-Filled Transformers - Vegetable Oil-Based | 95% |
| Food Cleaners | 53% |
| Forming Lubricants | 68% |
| Gear Lubricants | 58% |
| General Purpose Household Cleaners | 39% |
| Glass Cleaners | 49% |
| Graffiti and Grease Removers | 34% |
| Greases | 75% |
| Greases - Food Grade | 42% |
| Greases - Multipurpose | 72% |
| Greases - Rail Track | 30% |
| Greases - Truck | 71% |
| Hand Cleaners and Sanitizers - Hand Cleaners | 64% |
| Hand Cleaners and Sanitizers - Hand Sanitizers | 73% |
| Hydraulic Fluids - Mobile Equipment | 44% |
| Hydraulic Fluids - Stationary Equipment | 44% |
| Industrial Cleaners | 41% |
| Laundry Products - General Purpose | 34% |
| Laundry Products - Pretreatment/Spot Removers | 46% |
| Lip Care Products | 82% |
| Metalworking Fluids - General Purpose Soluble, Semi-Synthetic, and Synthetic Oils |
57% |
| Metalworking Fluids - High Performance Soluble, Semi-Synthetic, and Synthetic Oils |
40% |
| Metalworking Fluids - Straight Oils | 66% |
| Multipurpose Cleaners | 56% |
| Parts Wash Solutions | 65% |
| Penetrating Lubricants | 68% |
| Plastic Insulating Foam for Residential and Commercial Construction | 7% |
| Roof Coatings | 20% |
| Sorbents | 89% |
| Water Tank Coatings | 59% |
| Wood and Concrete Sealers - Membrane Concrete Sealers | 11% |
| Wood and Concrete Sealers - Penetrating Liquids | 79% |
BioPreferred Product Categories as of June 2010
USDA BioPreferred Program
The USDA administers the BioPreferred Program, which was created to fulfill Section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 requiring federal agencies to prefer the procurement of products with the highest biobased content. The BioPreferred Federal Procurement Program started in 2005.
The 2002 Farm Bill was expanded in 2008 to promote the use of biobased products to the general public. The BioPreferred Voluntary Labeling Program was launched in 2009 to increase consumer awareness and purchase of biobased products available in the market and to encourage manufacturers and vendors to supply products with high biobased content.
Beta Analytic: ISO 9001 Conformant ASTM D6866 Lab
Beta Analytic in Miami, Florida, is a radiocarbon dating lab that is accredited to the ISO 17025 standard. By virtue of this accreditation, Beta Analytic is also conformant to ISO 9001. The lab has performed hundreds of analysis not only for the biobased manufacturing industry but also to others requiring renewable carbon determination.
Beta Analytic is committed to provide high-quality, reliable testing to fulfill the requirements of the USDA’s BioPreferred Program. The company is not affiliated with the USDA or the BioPreferred Program.
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