United
Environmental Protection
Agency

December 2003
EPA530-F-03-010
www.epa.gov/osw
                           for

Guidelines
   Action
          CPG V proposes to revise the current compost designation to include compost
   made from manure or biosolids, and designates one new item, fertilizers made from
   recovered organic materials. EPAis also proposing to consolidate all compost desig-
   nations under one item called "compost made from recovered organic materials." If
   finalized, the one new item would be added to the 54 items previously designated in the
   CPG. Under RCRA, procuring agencies will be required to begin purchasing the newly-
   designated item within one year from the date that we publish the final rule.

          The proposed RMAN V provides guidance to procuring agencies for purchasing
   compost and fertilizers made from recovered organic materials, and presents other relevant
   information (e.g., recommendations for product specifications).  The RMAN V is intended
   to assist procuring agencies in fulfilling their statutory obligation to purchase designated
   items.

   Background

          Under section 6002 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
   and Executive Order 13101, "Greening the Government Through Waste Prevention,
   Recycling, and Federal Acquisition," EPAis required to designate products that are or can
   be made with recovered materials and provide recommendations to procuring agencies for
   purchasing those items. Procuring agencies are required to purchase the EPA-designated
   items containing recovered materials to the maximum extent practical, given reasonable
   competition and product price, performance, and availability. EPAhas published three
   Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines since May of 1995, designating a total of 54
   items. Afourth guideline should be finalized in January or February of 2004.

   For More Information

   Detailed information on the CPG is available on the Internet at http ://www. epa.gov/cpg.
   Questions or requests for paper copies of documents, may be directed to the RCRA Call
   Center. Callers within the Washington Metropolitan Area please dial 703 -412-9810 or
   TDD 703-412-3323 (hearing impaired). Long-distance callers please call 1-800-424-
   9346 or TDD 1-800-553-7672.

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