Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and
Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing
The Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels ("Recommendations") help
federal purchasers identify and procure environmentally preferable products and services which
in turn, helps to meet their sustainability goals and requirements. The U.S. federal government is
the single largest purchaser in the world spending more than $550 billion on products and
services each year and, in leading by example, has the power to catalyze a more sustainable
marketplace for all - reducing climate impacts, improving the health of frontline communities,
preventing pollution, and increasing U.S. industry competitiveness.
The Recommendations leverage private sector approaches to defining and measuring
sustainability by including over 40 private sector standards/ecolabels in 25 purchase categories.
The Recommendations give preference to multi-attribute/life-cycle based standards/ecolabels
that address key impact areas (aka hotspots) and where product conformance is determined by a
competent third-party certification body.
If you are a U.S. federal government employee who would like free access to one of the private
sector standards or ecolabels recommended by EPA, please email the EPP
Program (epp@epa.gov).
• Frequent questions
• View the update history
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Inclusion in the Recommendations is not an endorsement by EPA of the standards/ecolabels or of any of
the products conformant to these standards/ecolabels, but rather a statement that the standard/ecolabel
meets either EPA 's Guidelines or is recommended for use by another Federal agency.
(Updated: January 26,2021)
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Table of Contents:
• Cafeteria
o Take-out Service: Containers, Cutlery, Dishware
o Commercial Dishwasher Detergent
• Construction
o Adhesives
o Carpet
o Ceiling Tiles-Acoustical
o Fiberboard, Gypsum Panels, and Wallboard
o Flooring: Tile, Resilient, and Other Non-carpet
o Insulation
o Interior Latex Paint
• Custodial
o Cleaners: Carpet, Glass, Multipurpose
o Floor Care
o Hand Soap
o Toilet Tissue
o Towels - Paper
o Wastebasket Liners (24" x 33" or smaller)
• Electronics
o Computers: Desktops, Notebooks (including 2-in-l notebooks). Displays,
Integrated Desktop Computers, Workstation Desktops, Thin Clients, and
Slates/Tablets
o Electronics Recycling Services
o Imaging Equipment: Printers, Copiers, Multi-Function Devices, Scanners, Fax
Machines, Digital Duplicators, Mailing Machines
o Mobile Phones
o Servers
o Televisions
• Grounds/Landscaping
o Deicer
• Machine Shop Operations
o Parts Wash Solution
• Office/Furniture
o Copy Paper
o Furniture
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Product Category: CAFETERIA
TAKE-OUT SERVICE: Containers, Cutlery, Dishware
Recommended Private Sector Standard/Ecolabel
Agencies can use:
Biodegradable Products Institute certified compostable (provided composting available)-
^ Access standard.
v?j)|
£ Find products.
Federal Ecolabel Program
Agencies can use:
% BioPreferred® Program - USD A Certified Biobased
Statutory Requirement
Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
FP BioPref erred® Program - Federal Purchasing
3
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COMMERCIAL DISHWASHER DETERGENT
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels
Agencies can use:
Green Seal™ 53 Standard for Specialty Cleaning Products for Industrial and Institutional
I'se
Access standard.
Find products.
Ecologo/UL 2759 Standard for Hard Surface Cleaners-
Access standard.
Find products.
W
Federal Ecolabel Program
Agencies can use:
- Q - Safer Choice
SAFER
CHOICE
Statutory Requirement
Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
FP BioPreferred® Program - Federal Purchasing
4
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Product Category: CONSTRUCTION
Adhesives Flooring
Carpet Insulation
Ceiling Tiles-Acoustical Interior Latex Paint
Fiberboard, Gypsum Panels, and Wallboard
ADHESIVES
Recommended Private Sector Standard s/EcoIabels
Agencies can use:
Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard1
Access standard.
Find products.
SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold1
Access standard.
Find products.
UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification Program For Chemical Emissions For Building
Materials, Finishes And Furnishings-
Access standard.
Find products.
Ecologo/XJL 2762 Sustainability Standard for Adhesives^
Access standard.
Find products.
WQOUCTS PROGRAM
•vSg —
1
5
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To address Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions, EPA recommends products meet the California
Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of
Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers,
Version 1.1-2010. (This is the VOC emission testing method for California Specification 01350.)
These certifications/ecolabels have been assessed by EPA and incorporate by reference CDPH
vl. 1-2010 (or equivalents) as either optional or required criteria. There may be other
certifiers/ecolabels that can provide demonstration of conformity to these criteria.
Federal Ecolabel Programs
Agencies can use one or more of the following:
% BioPreferred®Program - USD A Certified Biobased
SNAP
Significant New Alternatives Policy
Statutory Requirement
Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
FP BioPreferred® Program - Federal Purchasing
CARPET
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels
1st Choice Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels: Multi-attribute with confirmed accredited or
conforming certification body:
Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard1-
Access standard.
Find products.
cfocfetocradte
6
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Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) Floor Coverings1
Access standard.
Find products.
GreenCircle Certified Environmental Facts for Flooring Products1 *
Access standard.
Find products.
NSF/ANSI140 Sustainability Assessment for Carpet- AND the specification below
Access standard.
Find products.
Also find products from: SCS Global Services and UL SPOT.
Please note that these recommendations do not currently consider the standards'/ecolabelsV
certifications' effectiveness in addressing the potential environmental impacts of material
harvesting and/or extraction.
If a product meeting a 1st Choice standard/ecolabel is not available, agencies can use one of
these multi-attribute standards/ecolabels**:
Environmental Choice New Zealand EC-33-14 Synthetic Carpets' -
Access standard.
Find products.
International Living Future Institute: Living Product ChalIengeSM1.0
Access standard.
' LIVING
PRODUCT
CHALLENGE t
Find products.
7
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Sustainable Materials Rating Technology (SMaRT) AND the specification below.
Access standard.
( SMART
certified Find products.
**These are standards/ecolabels for which EPA has not been able to confirm that an accredited
or conforming certification body is available (more information in footnotes).
is not available, agencies can use
to address key hotspots;
Approaches to Chemicals:
International Living Future Institute: Declare —-
Access standard.
Declare.
Find products.
Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions:
CRI Green Label Plus™ Program1 -
Access standard.
Find products.
SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold1
Access standard.
Find products.
If a product meeting one of the standards/ecolabels above
one or more of these single-attribute standards/ecolabels
Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions/Other Leadership
8
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UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification Program For Chemical Emissions For Building
Materials, Finishes And Furnishings-
Access standard.
Find products.
Recycled Content:
Global Recycled Standard1 AND the specification below
Access standard.
Find products.
Globai Recycled
Standard
Recommended Specification
Add this specification when using NSF/ANSI140, SMaRT, or the Global Recycled Standard:
Products shall meet California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method for
Testing and Evaluation of VOC (Volatile Organic Chemical) Emissions from Indoor Sources
Using Environmental Chambers, Version 1.1-2010.
This VOC emission specification is necessary because this hotspot may not be addressed
adequately for carpet meeting NSF/ANSI 140, SMaRT or the Global Recycled Standard.
Federal Ecolabel Program
Agencies can use:
BioPreferred® Program - USD A Certified Biobased
Statutory Requirements
Products shall meet these statutory requirements:
FP BioPref erred® Program - Federal Purchasing
9
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When BioPreferred and CPG are both required, the agency shall purchase the item that meets the
CPG requirements (per FAR 23.405 Procedures (c) and Farm Security and Rural Investment Act,
Section 9002 (b)).
CEILING TILES-ACOUSTICAL
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels
Agencies can use:
Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard1
Access standard.
Find products.
SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold1
Access standard.
Find products.
UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification Program For Chemical Emissions For Building
Materials, Finishes And Furnishings1
Access standard.
Find products.
To address Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions, EPA recommends products meet the California
Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of
Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers,
Version 1.1-2010. (This is the VOC emission testing method for California Specification 01350.)
10
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These certifications/ecolabels have been assessed by EPA and incorporate by reference CDPH
vl. 1-2010 (or equivalents) as either optional or required criteria. There may be other
certifiers/ecolabels that can provide demonstration of conformity to these criteria.
Federal Ecolabel Program
Agencies can use:
BioPreferred® Program - USD A Certified Biobased
Statutory Requirement
Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
FP BioPref erred® Program - Federal Purchasing
FIBERBOARD, GYPSUM PANELS, AND WALLBOARD
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels
Agencies can use:
Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard-
Access standard.
Find products.
FftOOUCTS PROGRAM
SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold-
Access standard.
LT Find products.
11
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UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification Program For Chemical Emissions For Building
Materials, Finishes And Furnishings-
Find products.
Access standard.
To address Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions, EPA recommends products meet the California
Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of
Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers,
Version 1.1-2010. (This is the VOC emission testing method for California Specification 01350.)
These certifications/ecolabels have been assessed by EPA and incorporate by reference CDPH
vl. 1-2010 (or equivalents) as either optional or required criteria. There may be other
certifiers/ecolabels that can provide demonstration of conformity to these criteria.
Federal Ecolabel Program
Agencies can use:
BioPreferred® Program - USD A Certified Biobased
Statutory Requirement
Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
BioPref erred® Program - Federal Purchasing
CPG
12
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FLOORING: Tile, Resilient, and Other Non-carpet
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels
1st Choice Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels: Multi-attribute with confirmed accredited or
conforming certification body:
Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard
Access standard.
Find products.
Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) Floor Coverings- *
Access standard.
Find products.
GreenCircle Certified Environmental Facts for Flooring Products
NSF/ANSI332 Sustainability Assessment for Resilient Floor Coverings1
Access standard.
Find products.
Also find products from: SCS Global Services and UL SPOT.
Tile Council of North America (TCNA): ANSI A 138.1/ Green Squared
^ Access standard.
¦ H GREEN
^¦i Find products.
If a product meeting a 1st Choice standard/ecolabel is not available, agencies can use one of
these multi-attribute standards/ecolabels**:
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International Living Future Institute: Living Product ChallengeSM1.0---
Access standard.
w
LIVING
PRODUCT
CHALLENGE
Find products.
Sustainable Materials Rating Technology (SMaRT)' - AND the specification below.
@ Access standard.
Find products.
If a product meeting one of the standards/ecolabels above is not available, agencies can use
one or more of these single-attribute standards/ecolabels to address key hotspots:
Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions/Other Leadership Approaches to Chemicals:
International Living Future Institute: Declare - •
Access standard.
Declare.
Find products.
Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions:
FloorScore®
Access standard.
floor
Find products.
SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold1
Access standard.
Find products.
UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification Program For Chemical Emissions For Building
Materials, Finishes And Furnishings '
Access standard.
Find products.
14
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Recycled Content:
Global Recycled Standard-AND the specification below
Access standard.
i Global Recycled
Standard
Find products.
Please note that these recommendations do not currently consider the standards'/ecolabels'/
certifications' effectiveness in addressing the potential environmental impacts of material
harvesting and/or extraction.
Recommended Specification
Add this specification when using SMaRT or the Global Recycled Standard:
Products shall meet California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method for
Testing and Evaluation of VOC (Volatile Organic Chemical) Emissions from Indoor Sources
Using Environmental Chambers, Version 1.1-2010.
This VOC emission specification is necessary because this hotspot may not be addressed
adequately for flooring meeting SMaRT or the Global Recycled Standard.
Federal Ecolabel Program
Agencies can use:
m BioPreferred® Program - USD A Certified Biobased
Statutory Requirements
Products shall meet these statutory requirements:
BioPref erred® Program - Federal Purchasing
FP
O —
When BioPreferred and CPG are both required, the agency shall purchase the item that meets the
CPG requirements (per FAR 23.405 Procedures (c) and Farm Security and Rural Investment Act,
Section 9002 (b)).
15
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INSULATION
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels
Agencies can use:
Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard1
Access standard.
Find products.
SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold1
Access standard.
Find products.
UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification Program For Chemical Emissions For Building
Materials, Finishes And Furnishings1
Access standard.
Find products.
To address Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions, EPA recommends products meet the California
Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of
Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers,
Version 1.1-2010. (This is the VOC emission testing method for California Specification 01350.)
These certifications/ecolabels have been assessed by EPA and incorporate by reference CDPH
v 1.1-2010 (or equivalents) as either optional or required criteria. There may be other
certifiers/ecolabels that can provide demonstration of conformity to these criteria.
Federal Ecolabel Program
Agencies can use:
PRODUCTS PROGRAM
16
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BioPreferred® Program - USD A Certified Biobased
Statutory Requirement
Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
ENERGY STAR®
INTERIOR LATEX PAINT
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels
1st Choice Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels: Multi-attribute with confirmed accredited or
conforming certification body:
Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard1
Access standard.
Find products.
Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) Paints & Coatings Ecolabel
Access standard.
Find products.
GreenSeal™ 11 Standard for Paints, Coatings, Stains, and Sealers1
Access standard.
Find products.
GreenSeal 43 Standard for Recycled Content Latex Paints1-
W
11
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Access standard.
ym.
Find products.
Master Painters Institute (MPI®) Extreme Green™' -
IN/IF*!. Access standard.
E TREME
»GREEN' F'nd Products
Please note that these recommendations do not currently consider the standards'/ecolabels'/
certifications' effectiveness in addressing the potential environmental impacts of material
harvesting and/or extraction.
If a product meeting a 1st Choice standard/ecolabel is not available, agencies can use one of
these multi-attribute standards/ecolabels**:
Environmental Choice New Zealand EC-07-18 Paints
Access standard.
Find products.
International Living Future Institute: Living Product ChallengeSM 1.0-
Access standard.
w
LIVING
PRODUCT
CHALLENGE tt J i
Find products.
Sustainable Materials Rating Technology (SMaRT)1
@ Access standard.
^RT
cert'8d Find products.
**These are standards/ecolabels for which EPA has not been able to confirm that an accredited
or conforming certification body is available (more information).
If a product meeting one of the standards/ecolabels above is not available, agencies can use
one or more of these single-attribute standards/ecolabels to address key hotspots:
Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions/Other Leadership Approaches to Chemicals:
18
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International Living Future Institute: Declare - -
Access standard.
Declare.
Find products.
Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions:
SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold1
Access standard.
Find products.
UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification Program For Chemical Emissions For Building
Materials, Finishes And Furnishings-
Access standard.
Find products.
To address Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions, EPA recommends products meet the California
Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of
Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers,
Version 1.1-2010. (This is the VOC emission testing method for California Specification 01350.)
These certifications/ecolabels have been assessed by EPA and incorporate by reference CDPH
vl. 1-2010 (or equivalents) as either optional or required criteria. There may be other
certifiers/ecolabels that can provide demonstration of conformity to these criteria.
Recommended Specification
Add this specification when using SMaRT or the Global Recycled Standard:
Products shall meet California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method for
Testing and Evaluation of VOC (Volatile Organic Chemical) Emissions from Indoor Sources
Using Environmental Chambers, Version 1.1-2010.
This VOC emission specification is necessary because this hotspot may not be addressed
adequately for flooring meeting SMaRT or the Global Recycled Standard.
Federal Ecolabel Program
19
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Agencies can use:
BioPreferred® Program - USD A Certified Biobased
Statutory Requirements
Products shall meet these statutory requirements:
BioPref erred® Program - Federal Purchasing
FP
O M
When BioPreferred and CPG are both required, the agency shall purchase the item that meets the
CPG requirements (per FAR 23.405 Procedures (c) and Farm Security and Rural Investment Act,
Section 9002 (b)).
Product Category: CUSTODIAL
Cleaners: Carpet. Glass. Multipurpose Toilet Tissue
Floor Care Towels- Paper
Hand Soap Wastebasket Liners (24" x 33" or smaller)
CLEANERS: Carpet, Glass, and Multipurpose
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels
Agencies can use:
Green Seal™ 37 Standard for Cleaning Products for Industrial and Institutional Use1
,<*¦ sl" Access standard.
*
Find products.
Ecologo/UL 2759 Standard for Hard Surface Cleaners-
20
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Access standard.
Find products.
Ecologo/UL 2795 Standard for Sustainability for Carpet and Upholstery Care Products
Access standard.
Find products.
Federal Ecolabel Programs
Agencies can use one or more of the following:
BioPreferred® Program -USDA Certified Biobased
- 3- Safer Choice
SAFER
CHOICE
Statutory Requirement
Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
FP BioPreferred® Program - Federal Purchasing
FLOOR CARE
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels
Agencies can use:
Green Seal™ 40 Standard for Floor-Care Products for Industrial and Institutional Use
Access standard.
is
j Find products.
21
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Ecologo/XJL 2777 Standard for Sustainability for Hard Floor Care Products^
0 Access standard.
Find products.
Federal Ecolabel Programs
Agencies can use one or more of the following:
BioPreferred® Program - USD A Certified Biobased
£% Safer Choice
^9
SAFER
CHOICE
sis
Statutory Requirement
Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
p p BioPreferred® Program - Federal Purchasing
HAND SOAP
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels
Agencies can use:
Green Seal™ 41 Standard for Hand Cleaners for Industrial and Institutional Use1
Access standard.
Find products.
Ecologo/UL 2784 Standard for Hand Cleaners-
Access standard.
Find products.
yiflF
-------
Federal Ecolabel Programs
Agencies can use one or more of the following:
BioPreferred® Program - USD A Certified Biobased
Safer Choice
P\
SAFER
CHOICE
Statutory Requirement
Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
FP BioPreferred® Program - Federal Purchasing
TOILET TISSUE
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels
Agencies can use:
Green Seal™ 01 Standard for Sanitary Paper Products
SE
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Federal Ecolabel Program
Agencies can use:
BioPreferred® Program - USD A Certified Biobased
Statutory Requirement
Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
CPG
O
TOWELS - Paper
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels
Agencies can use:
Green Seal™ 01 Standard for Sanitary Paper Products'
* Access standard.
&
Find products.
Ecologo/UL 175 Standard for Sustainability for Sanitary Paper Productsl
Access standard.
Find products.
Federal Ecolabel Program
Agencies can use:
BioPreferred® Program - USD A Certified Biobased
24
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Statutory Requirement
Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
CPG
©
WASTEBASKET LINERS (24" x 33" or smaller)
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels
Agencies can use:
Ecologo/XJL 126 Standard for Sustainability for Plastic Film Products
Access standard-
Find products.
Biodegradable Products Institute certified compostable (provided composting available)-
UJ
g Access standard.
h-
C/3
O
s Find products.
O
Requires 25% post-consumer recycled content for packaging and 20-25% for plastic film
products.
Federal Ecolabel Program
Agencies can use:
BioPreferred® Program -USDA Certified Biobased
25
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Statutory Requirements
Products shall meet these statutory requirements:
FP BioPreferred® Program - Federal Purchasing
©
CPG
When BioPreferred and CPG are both required, the agency shall purchase the item that meets the
CPG requirements (per FAR 23.405 Procedures (c) and Farm Security and Rural Investment Act,
Section 9002 (b)).
Product Category: ELECTRONICS
Computers Mobile Phones
Electronics Recycling Services Servers
Imaging Equipment Televisions
COMPUTERS: Desktops, Notebooks (including 2-in-l notebooks),
Displays, Integrated Desktop Computers, Workstation Desktops,
Thin Clients, and Slates/Tablets
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabel
Agencies can use:
EPEAT Registered (highest rating available)-
Access standard.
Find products.
Statutory Requirements
Products shall meet these statutory requirements:
ENERGY STAR®
g£35E2D
FEMPffi Federal Energy Management Program
26
Ftvrrt r
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ELECTRONICS RECYCLING SERVICES
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels
Agencies can use:
Responsible Recycling (R2) Standard-
Responsible
Recycling
Access standard.
Find products.
e-Stewards Standard for Responsible Recycling and Reuse of Electronic Equipment®-
Access standard.
IMAGING EQUIPMENT: Printers, Copiers, Multi-Function
Devices, Scanners, Fax Machines, Digital Duplicators, Mailing
Machines
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabel
Agencies can use:
EPEAT Registered (highest rating availabl-
e-Stewards Find products.
Statutory Requirement
N/A
Access standard.
Find products.
Statutory Requirement
Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
ENERGY STAR®
E23E23
27
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MOBILE PHONES
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabel
Agencies can use:
EPEAT Registered (highest rating available)-
Access standard.
Find products.
Statutory Requirement
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabel
Agencies can use:
EPEAT Registered (highest rating available)-
Statutory Requirement
Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
N/A
SERVERS
Access standard.
Find products.
ENERGY STAR®
28
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TELEVISIONS
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabel
Agencies can use:
EPEAT Registered (highest rating available)-
Access standard.
Find products.
Statutory Requirement
Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
ENERGY STAR®
Product Category: GROUNDS/LANDSCAPING
DEICER
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabel
Agencies can use:
Clear Roads Qualified Products-
1 Access standard.
CLEAR,
ROADS
research for wiiter highway maintenance
Find products.
Federal Ecolabel Programs
Agencies can use:
BioPreferred® Program - USD A Certified Biobased
29
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SAFER
CHOICE
Safer Choice
Statutory Requirement
Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
FP BioPreferred® Program - Federal Purchasing
Product Category: MACHINE SHOP OPERATIONS
PARTS WASH SOLUTION
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels
Agencies can use:
Green Seal™ 34 Standard for Cleaning Products and Degreasing Agents
«.~ S£*< Access standard-
Find products.
Ecologo/UL 2792 Standard for Cleaning and Degreasing Compounds: Biologically-based
Access standard.
Find products.
Federal Ecolabel Programs
Agencies can use:
BioPreferred® Program
USDA Certified Biobased
30
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p\
SAFER
CHOICE
Safer Choice
«g*#hrtiek«#wie*
Statutory Requirement
Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
FP BioPreferred® Program - Federal Purchasing
Product Category: OFFICE/FURNITURE
COPY PAPER
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels
Agencies can use:
Ecologo/UL 2771 Standard for Sustainable Paper Products^
Access standard.
Find products.
Green Seal™ 07 Standard for Printing and Writing Paper-
%tAi Access standard.
Find products.
Federal Ecolabel Program
Agencies can use:
BioPreferred® Program -USDA Certified Biobased
31
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Statutory Requirement
Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
0 m
FURNITURE
Recommended Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels
1st Choice Private Sector Standards/Ecolabels: Multi-attribute with confirmed accredited or
conforming certification body:
ANSI/BIFMA e-3 Furniture Sustainability Standard - level® certified AND specification 1
& 2 below
Access standard.
Find products.
Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard-- AND specification 1 (unless certified Gold
or Platinum) & 2 below
Access standard.
Find products.
Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) Furniture, Fittings, and
Foam AND specification 2 below
Access standard.
Find products.
TUV Rheinland® Green Product Mark1 AND specification 2 below
Access standard.
A
Find products.
Please note that these recommendations do not currently consider the standards'/ecolabelsV
certifications' effectiveness in addressing the potential environmental impacts of material
harvesting and/or extraction.
32
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If a product meeting a 1st Choice standard/ecolabel is not available, agencies can use one of
these multi-attribute standards/ecolabels**:
International Living Future Institute: Living Product ChallengeSM1.0---AND specification
2 below
Access standard.
1
VI/ <
% W <
r LIVING
PRODUCT
CHALLENGE
Find products.
Sustainable Furnishings Council Exemplary--AND specification 1 & 2 below
§
Access standard.
sustainable
FURNISHINGS COUNCIL Fjnd products.
Sustainable Materials Rating Technology (SMaRT)1 - AND specification 1 & 2 below
Access standard.
SMART
— certified Fin(j products.
**These are standards/ecolabels for which EPA has not been able to confirm that an accredited
or conforming certification body is available (more information in footnotes).
If a product meeting one of the standards/ecolabels above is not available, agencies can use
one or more of these single-attribute standards/ecolabels to address key hotspots:
Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions/Other Leadership Approaches to Chemicals:
International Living Future Institute: Declare - - - AND specification 2 below
Access standard.
Declare.
Find products.
33
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Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions:
SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold for Furniture1 AND specification 1 & 2 below
Access standard.
Find products.
UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification Program For Chemical Emissions For Building
Materials, Finishes And Furnishings- AND specification 2 below
Access standard.
Find products.
Recycled Content:
Global Recycled Standard AND specification 1 & 2 below
Access standard.
Global Recycled
_ Standard
Find products.
Textiles:
Association for Contract Textiles NSF/ANSI 336: Sustainability Assessment for
Commercial Furnishings Fabric- AND specification 1 & 2 below
Access standard.
Find products (UL SPOT).
EPA did not specifically solicit textile standards/ecolabels for the pilot. There could be others
that are interested in being assessed per the Guidelines and considered for EPA's
Recommendations in the future.
Recommended Specifications
1) Add this specification when using the ANSI/BIFMA e-3, Cradle to Cradle (unless certified
Gold or Platinum), Sustainable Furnishings Council Exemplary, SMaRT, SCS, Global Recycled
Standard, and NSF/ANSI 336: Products shall meet the emissions requirements of BIFMA e3
criterion 7.6.2. or equivalent.
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This VOC emission specification is necessary because this hotspot may not be addressed
adequately for furniture meeting ANSI/BIFMA e-3, Cradle to Cradle, Sustainable Furnishings
Council Exemplary, SMaRT, SCS, Global Recycled Standard, and NSF/ANSI 336.
2) Add this specification when using any of the private sector standards/ ecolabels listed above:
Upholstered products shall meet Technical Bulletin 117-2013 (California's furniture
flammability standard) and must comply with the labeling requirements California Senate Bill
1019, which was passed on September 30, 2014, and requires a label indicating whether the
product contains or does not contain added Flame Retardants.
Applicable to ALL private sector standards/ecolabels listed above because Hazardous Flame
Retardants are not addressed.
Federal Ecolabel Program
Agencies can use:
BioPreferred® Program - USD A Certified Biobased
Statutory Requirement
Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
CPG
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Footnotes
1 Recommendation based on EPA's assessment per the 2016 Pilot Guidelines. For more
information on the Pilot and the assessment results, please visit the Background
section. Assessment Summaries for Carpet. Interior Latex Paints. Flooring, and Furniture are
available for more detailed information.
2 Recommendation based on DOE's Office of Sustainable Environmental Stewardship
analysis. For further information on this voluntary program, see:
DOE's Green Buy Awards Program. Priority Products List
3 Recommendation based on GSA's Public Buildings Service analysis. For further information,
see: GSA's Key Sustainable Products Initiative
* This standard does not meet baseline criteria in Section I of EPA's Guidelines, which contains
the requirements necessary to demonstrate that a standard is a Voluntary Consensus Standard
(VCS). Section 12(d) of The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA, PL
103-114) calls federal agencies to use Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) in lieu of
government-unique standards in their procurement and regulatory activities, except where
inconsistent with law or otherwise impractical. Section 5(e) of the Office of Management and
Budget Circular A-l 19 (OMB A-l 19) further outlines factors that individual agencies should
evaluate when determining whether to use standards, on a case by case basis. This includes the
extent to which the standards development process reflected the attributes of a VCS
body. Federal agency representatives can contact their agency's Standards Executive for
assistance in determining whether this standard should be considered for use by the agency.
** These certification programs do not meet baseline criteria in Section III of EPA's guidelines,
which contains the requirements necessary to demonstrate that a conformity assessment body is
competent to assess conformance with the standard and follows general good practice specific to
conformity assessment for environmental performance standards. An alternative method to
demonstrate that a conformity assessment body is competent to assess conformance to this
standard is proof of accreditation by an accreditation body that is a signatory to the International
Accreditation Forum Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (IAF MLA) for a scope including
ISO/IEC 17065 and this applicable standard. Guidance on Federal Conformity Assessment (15
CFR Part 287) directs federal agencies to identify appropriate private sector conformity
assessment practices and programs (including third-party certification) and consider the results
of such practices and/or programs as appropriate in procurement activities. The Guidance
stresses that responsibility for the determination of appropriateness rests with each
agency. Federal agency representatives can contact their agency's Standards Executive for
assistance in determining whether this standard should be considered for use by the agency.
# This standard is not applicable to vinyl floor covering or vinyl furniture/upholstery.
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