EPA's Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and
Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing

The recommendations of specifications, standards, and ecolabels are intended to help federal purchasers
identify and procure environmentally sustainable products and services. Some of the recommendations are
based on an independent assessment of private sector environmental performance standards and ecolabels
against the multi-stakeholder developed EPA Guidelines for Environmental Performance Standards and
Ecolabels.

Where an independent assessment of a standard or ecolabel against guidelines does not exist, the
recommendations are based on specifications, environmental performance standards and ecolabels selected
and utilized by other agencies. Currently, the recommendations include standards and ecolabels from:

•	Department of Energy's (DOE's) Priority Products List

•	General Services Administration's (GSA's) Key Sustainable Products

In general, the recommendations give preference to multi-attribute (i.e., life-cycle based) standards and
ecolabels for which EPA has been able to confirm the availability of a competent certification body that is
either:

•	Accredited by an accreditation body that is a signatory to the International Accreditation Forum
Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (IAF MI_A) and has the relevant standard in the scope of its
accreditation, or

•	Otherwise meets Section III of EPA's Guidelines.

Federal purchasers can visit GSA's Green Procurement Compilation to see all relevant federal green
purchasing requirements for any product or service, including EPA's Recommendations.

The assessment summaries provide detailed information regarding the standards and ecolabels in the
recommendations. Please email epp@epa.gov to request a copy of a standard/ecolabel's full Pilot Guidelines
assessment. Note that these are only available for standards/ecolabels identified with footnote 1.

(Updated February 28, 2018)

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Contents

EPA's Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing	3

I.	Product Category: CAFETERIA	3

TAKE-OUT SERVICE: Containers, Cutlery, and Dishware	3

COMMERCIAL DISHWASHER DETERGENT	3

II.	Product Category: CONSTRUCTION	4

ADHESIVES	4

CARPET	5

CEILING TILES-ACOUSTICAL	6

FIBERBOARD, GYPSUM PANELS, AND WALLBOARD	7

INSULATION	9

INTERIOR LATEX PAINT	10

LUMBER/WOOD	11

III.	Product Category: CUSTODIAL	12

CLEANERS: Carpet, Glass, and Multipurpose	12

FLOOR CARE	12

HAND SOAP	13

TOILET TISSUE	13

TOWELS-PAPER	13

WASTEBASKET LINERS (24" x 33" or smaller)	14

IV.	Product Category: ELECTRONICS	15

COMPUTERS:	15

IMAGING EQUIPMENT:	15

MOBILE PHONES	15

TELEVISIONS	15

V.	Product Category: GROUNDS/LANDSCAPING	16

DE-ICER	16

VI.	Product Category: OFFICE/FURNITURE	17

COPY PAPER	17

FURNITURE	18

Footnotes	20

Instructions for U.S. Federal Government Employees on How to Access Standards	21

Find Products	23

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EPA's Recommendations of Specifications,
Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing

Please refer to EPA's webpage for the most up-to-date links to access the standards/ecolabels

I. Product Category: CAFETERIA

TAKE-OUT SERVICE: Containers, Cutlery, and Dishware

Products shall meet:

Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirements:

^0 BioPreferred®

For specific requirements, go to
GSA's Green Procurement
Compilation.

AND the private sector
standard/ecolabel:

• Biodegradable Products Institute
certified compostable (provided
composting available)2



COMMERCIAL DISHWASHER DETERGENT

Products shall meet:

Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirement:

BioPreferred®

For specific requirements, go to
GSA's Green Procurement
Compilation.

AND either the applicable
EPA program OR one of
the private sector
standards/ecolabels:

Applicable EPA Program:
& Safer Choice

SAFER

[choice!





Private Sector Standards and
Ecolabels:

•	Green Seal™ 53 Standard for
Specialty Cleanina Products for
Industrial and Institutional Use2

•	Ecologo/UL 2759 Standard for Hard
Surface Cleaners2



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II. Product Category: CONSTRUCTION

1)	Adhesives	5)

2)	Carpet	6)

3)	Ceiling Tiles-Acoustical	7)

4)	Fiberboard, Gypsum Panels, and Wallboard	8)

Flooring

Insulation

Interior Latex Paint

Lumber/ Wood (Under Review)

ADHESIVES

Products shall meet:

Either the applicable EPA
program OR one of the
private sector
standards/ecolabels:

Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel

Applicable EPA Program:

Significant New Alternatives

Notes

Policy

Private Sector Standards and
Ecolabels:

•	Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product
Standard1

•	SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold1

•	UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification
Program for Chemical Emissions for
Building Materials, Finishes and
Furnishings1

•	Ecologo/UL 2762 Sustainabilitv
Standard for Adhesives2

These private sector standards/
ecolabels are recommended by
EPA because they incorporate by
reference 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 (CDPH v1.1-2010) as
requirements. (This is the VOC
emission testing method for
California Specification 01350.)
There may be other
certifiers/ecolabels that also
require products to meet CDPH
v1.1-2010 (or equivalent).

4


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CARPET

Products shall meet:

Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirements:

BioPreferred®
G CPG

For specific requirements, go to
GSA's Green Procurement
Compilation.

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)).

AND one of these private
sector standards/ecolabels:

1st Choice1': Multi-attribute with
confirmed accredited or conforming
certification body

•	Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product
Standard1

•	Good Environmental Choice
Australia (GECA) Floor Coverinas1*

•	GreenCircle Environmental Facts for
Flooring Products1 *

•	NSF/ANSI 140 Sustainabilitv
Assessment for Carpet1 AND the
specification below

+ 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, use one of
these multi-attribute
standards/ecolabels:

Multi-attribute, but unable to confirm
accredited or conforming certification
body**

•	Environmental Choice New Zealand
EC-33-14 Svnthetic Carpets1*

•	International Livina Future Institute:
Livina Product ChallenaeSM 1.01*

•	Sustainable Materials Ratina
Technoloav (SMaRTV AND the
specification below

**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, use
one or more of these
single-attribute
standards/ecolabels to
address key hotspots:

Single-Attribute

Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions &
leadership approaches to chemicals:

•	International Livina Future Institute:
Declare1*

Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions:

•	CRI Green Label Plus™ Proaram1 *

•	FloorScore®1

•	SCS Indoor Advantaae™ Gold1

•	UL 2818 GREENGUARD
Certification Proaram for Chemical
Emissions for Buildina Materials,
Finishes and Furnishinas1



5


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Recycled Content:

• Global Recycled Standard1*AND the
specification below



AND, this specification
when using NSF/ANSI
140, SMaRT, or the Global
Recycled Standard:

• 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.

CEILING TILES-ACOUSTICAL

Products shall meet:

Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirement:

BioPreferred®

For specific requirements, go to
GSA's Green Procurement
Compilation.

AND one of the private
sector

standards/ecolabels:

•	Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product
Standard1

•	SCS Indoor Advantaae™ Gold1

•	UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification
Proaram for Chemical Emissions for
Buildina Materials, Finishes and
Furnishings1

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
v1.1-2010 (or equivalents) as
either optional or required criteria.
There may be other
certifiers/ecolabels that can
provide demonstration of
conformity to these criteria.

6


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FIBERBOARD, GYPSUM PANELS, AND WALLBOARD

„ , . , ,, . Recommended Standard or	„

Products shall meet:	,, , , ,	No

Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirements:



BioPreferred-

CPG

For specific requirements, go to
GSA's Green Procurement
Compilation.

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)).	

AND one of the private
sector

standards/ecolabels:

Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product
Standard1

SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold1
UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification
Program for Chemical Emissions for
Building Materials. Finishes and
Furnishings1

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
v1.1-2010 (or equivalents) as
either optional or required criteria.
There may be other
certifiers/ecolabels that can
provide demonstration of
conformity to these criteria.

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FLOORING — Tile, Resilient, and other Non-Carpet

„ , ^ , ,, ^ Recommended Standard or
Products shall meet:	,, , , ,

Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirements:

BioPreferred®
O CPG

For specific requirements, go to
GSA's Green Procurement
Compilation.

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)).

AND one of these private
sector

standards/ecolabels:

1st Choice1': Multi-attribute with

confirmed accredited or conforming

certification body

•	Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product
Standard1 *

•	Good Environmental Choice Australia
(GECA) Floor Coverinas1 *

•	GreenCircle Environmental Facts for
Flooring Products1 *

•	NSF/ANSI 332 Sustainabilitv
Assessment for Resilient Floor
Coverinas1

•	Tile Council of North America (TCNA):
ANSI A138.1/ Green Sauared1

+ 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, use one of
these multi-attribute
standards/ecolabels:

Multi-attribute, but unable to confirm
accredited or conforming certification
body**

•	International Livina Future Institute:
Livina Product ChallenaeSM 1.01 *#

•	Sustainable Materials Ratina
Technoloav (SMaRTV * AND the
specification below

**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, use
one or more of these
single-attribute
standards/ecolabels to
address key hotspots:

Single-Attribute

Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions/other
Leadership Approaches to Chemicals:

•	International Livina Future Institute:
Declare1*

Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions:

•	FloorScore®1

•	SCS Indoor Advantaae™ Gold1

•	UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification
Proaram for Chemical Emissions for
Buildina Materials, Finishes and
Furnishinas1



8


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Recycled Content:

• Global Recycled Standard1* AND the
specification below



AND, this specification
when using SMaRT or the
Global Recycled Standard:

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.

INSULATION

Products shall meet:

Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirements:

BioPreferred®
@CPG

i ENERGY STAR®

For specific requirements, go to
GSA's Green Procurement
Compilation.

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)).

AND one of the private
sector

standards/ecolabels:

•	Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product
Standard1

•	SCS Indoor Advantaae™ Gold1

•	UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification
Proaram for Chemical Emissions for
Buildina Materials, Finishes and
Furnishings1

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
v1.1-2010 (or equivalents) as
either optional or required criteria.
There may be other
certifiers/ecolabels that can
provide demonstration of
conformity to these criteria.

9


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INTERIOR LATEX PAINT

Products shall meet:

The applicable statutory
requirements:

Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel



BioPreferred-

CPG

Notes

For specific requirements, go to
GSA's Green Procurement
Compilation.

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)).	

AND one of these private
sector

standards/ecolabels:

1st Choice1': Multi-attribute with
confirmed accredited or conforming
certification body

Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product
Standard1

Good Environmental Choice Australia
(GECA) Paints & Coatings1*

Green Seal™ 11 Standard for Paints,
Coatings. Stains, and Sealers1*

Green Seal™ 43 Standard for
Recycled Content Latex Paints1*
Master Painters Institute (MPI®)
Extreme Green™ 1*

+ 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, use one of
these multi-attribute
standards/ecolabels:

Multi-attribute, but unable to confirm
accredited or conforming certification
body**

•	Environmental Choice New Zealand
EC-07-15 Paints1*

•	International Living Future Institute:
Living Product ChallengeSM 1.01*

•	Sustainable Materials Rating
Technology (SMaRT)1	

**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, use
one or more of these
single-attribute
standards/ecolabels to
address key hotspots:

Single-Attribute

Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions/other
Leadership Approaches to Chemicals:

•	International Living Future Institute:
Declare1*

Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions:

•	SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold1

•	UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification
Program for Chemical Emissions for
Building Materials. Finishes and
Furnishings1

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

10


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v1.1-2010 (or equivalents) as
either optional or required criteria.
There may be other
certifiers/ecolabels that can
provide demonstration of
conformity to these criteria.	

LUMBER/WOOD

Under Review

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III. Product Category: CUSTODIAL

1)	Cleaners: Carpet, Glass, Multipurpose	4) Toilet Tissue

2)	Floor Care	5) Towels-Paper

3)	Hand Soap	6) Wastebasket Liners (24" x 33" or smaller)

CLEANERS: Carpet, Glass, and Multipurpose

Products shall meet:

Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirement:

BioPreferred®

For specific requirements, go to
GSA's Green Procurement
Compilation.

AND either the applicable
EPA program OR one of
the private sector
standards/ecolabels:

Applicable EPA Program:
& Safer Choice

SAFER
CHOICE



Private Sector Standards and
Ecolabels:

•	Green Seal™ 37 Standard for
Cleanina Products for Industrial and
Institutional Use3

•	Ecoloao/UL 2759 Standard for Hard
Surface Cleaners3





FLOOR CARE

Products shall meet:



Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirement:

BioPreferred®

For specific requirements, go to
GSA's Green Procurement
Compilation.

AND either the applicable
EPA program OR one of
the private sector
standards/ecolabels:

Applicable EPA Program:
Safer Choice

SAFER

CHOICE



Private Sector Standards and
Ecolabels:

•	Green Seal™ 40 Standard for Floor-
Care Products for Industrial and
Institutional Use2

•	Ecoloao/UL 2777 Standard for
Sustainabilitv for Hard Floor Care2



12


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HAND SOAP

Products shall meet:

Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirement:

BioPreferred®

For specific requirements, go to
GSA's Green Procurement
Compilation.

AND either the applicable
EPA program OR one of
the private sector
standards/ecolabels:

Applicable EPA Program:
& Safer Choice

SAFER

IchoiceI



Private Sector Standards and
Ecolabels:

•	Green Seal™ 41 Standard for Hand
Cleaners for Industrial and
Institutional Use3

•	Ecoloao/UL 2784 Standard for Hand
Cleaners3





TOILET TISSUE

Products shall meet:

Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirement:



For specific requirements, go to
GSA's Green Procurement
Compilation.

AND the private sector
standard/ecolabel:

• Green Seal™ 01 Standard for
Sanitarv Paper Products3





TOWELS-PAPER

Products shall meet:

Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirement:

CPG

For specific requirements, go to
GSA's Green Procurement
Compilation.

AND the private sector
standard/ecolabel:

• Green Seal™ 01 Standard for
Sanitarv Paper Products3



13


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WASTEBASKET LINERS (24" x 33" or smaller)

Products shall meet:

Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirement:

BioPreferred®

O 222

For specific requirements, go to
GSA's Green Procurement
Compilation.

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)).

AND the private sector
standard/ecolabel:

• UL 126 Standard for Sustainabilitv for
Plastic Film Products3

Requires 25% post-consumer
recycled content for packaging
and 20-25% for plastic film
products.

14


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IV. Product Category: ELECTRONICS

1)	Computers	3) Mobile Phones

2)	Imaging Equipment	4) Televisions

COMPUTERS:

Desktops, Notebooks (including 2-in-i notebooks), Displays (including touch screen monitors), Integrated
Desktop Computers, Workstation Desktops, Thin Clients, and Slates/Tablets

Products shall meet:

Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirements:

! ENERGY STAR®

FEMPf

Fodtf-alEwgyUanagamtnt Program

Federal Enerav Manaaement Proaram



AND the private sector
standard/ecolabel:

• EPEAT Reaistered (hiahest ratina
available)2



IMAGING EQUIPMENT:

Printers, Copiers, Multi-function Devices, Scanners, Fax Machines, Digital Duplicators, Mailing Machines

Products shall meet:

Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirements:

1 ENERGY STAR®



AND the private sector
standard/ecolabel:

• EPEAT Reaistered (highest ratina
available)2



MOBILE PHONES

Products shall meet:

Recommended Standard
or Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirements:

N/A



AND the private sector
standard/ecolabel:

• EPEAT Reaistered (hiahest
ratina available)2



TELEVISIONS

Products shall meet:

Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirements:

1 ENERGY STAR®



AND the private sector
standard/ecolabel:

• EPEAT Reaistered (hiahest ratina
available)2



15


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V. Product Category: GROUNDS/LANDSCAPING

DE-ICER

Products shall meet:

Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirement:

BioPreferred®

For specific requirements, go to
GSA's Green Procurement
Compilation.

AND either the applicable
EPA program OR the
private sector
standard/ecolabel:

Applicable EPA Program:
Safer Choice

SAFER

CHOICE





Private Sector Standards and
Ecolabels:

• Pacific Northwest Snowfiahters
Qualified Products2



16


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VI. Product Category: OFFICE/FURNITURE

COPY PAPER

Products shall meet:

Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirement:

@ CPG

For specific requirements, go to
GSA's Green Procurement
Compilation.

30% Post-consumer recycled
content.

AND one of the private
sector

standards/ecolabels:

•	Ecoloao/UL 2771 Standard for
Sustainable Paper Products2

•	Green Seal™ 07 Standard for Printina
and Writina Paper2



17


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FURNITURE

Products shall meet:

Recommended Standard or
Ecolabel

Notes

The applicable statutory
requirements:

^0 BioPreferred®
@CPG

For specific requirements, go to
GSA's Green Procurement
Compilation.

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)).

AND one of the private
sector standard/ecolabels:

1st Choice1': Multi-attribute with
confirmed accredited or conforming
certification body

•	ANSI/ BIFMA e3 Furniture
Sustainabilitv Standard -

level® certified1 AND specification 1 &
2 below

•	Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product
Standard1 AND specification 1 (unless
certified Gold or Platinum) & 2 below

•	Good Environmental Choice Australia
(GECA) Furniture, Fittinas, and
Foam1 * AND specification 2 below

•	TUV Rheinland® Green Product
Mark1 AND specification 2 below

+ 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, use one of
these multi-attribute
standards/ecolabels:

Multi-attribute, but unable to confirm
accredited or conforming certification
body**

•	International Livina Future Institute:
Livina Product ChallenaeSM 1.01 *
AND specification 2 below

•	Sustainable Furnishinas Council
Exemplary1 * AND specification 1 & 2
below

•	Sustainable Materials Ratina
Technoloav (SMaRT)1 AND
specification 1 & 2 below

**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, use
one or more of the single-
attribute

standards/ecolabels to
address key hotspots:

Single-Attribute

Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions/other
Leadership Approaches to Chemicals:
• International Livina Future Institute:
Declare1* AND specification 2 below



18


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Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions:

•	SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold for
Furniture1 AND specification 1 & 2
below

•	UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification
Program for Chemical Emissions for
Buildina Materials, Finishes and
Furnishinas1 AND specification 2
below

Recycled Content:

•	Global Recycled Standard1* AND
specification 1 & 2 below

TextilesA:

•	Association for Contract Textiles NSF/
ANSI 336: Sustainabilitv Assessment
for Commercial Furnishinas FabriclA
AND specification 1 & 2 below

A 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.

1) AND 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.

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) AND 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.

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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 tab. 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 full Priority Products List

•	DOE's background and evaluation process

3	Recommendation based on GSA's Public Buildings Service analysis. For further information, see:

•	GSA's Key Sustainable Products Initiative

•	GSA's background and evaluation process

*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-119 (OMB A-119) further outlines factors that individual agencies should
evaluate when determining whether to use a standard, 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 (list of agency Standards Executives available
here: https://standards.gov/icsp/guerv/members.cfm) 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/I EC 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 (list of agency Standards Executives available here:

https://standards.gov/icsp/guery/members.cfm) 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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Instructions for U.S. Federal Government Employees on How to

Access Standards

If you are a U.S. federal government employee who would like access to one of the standards or ecolabels
recommended by EPA, please follow the instructions below. The developers of these standards and ecolabels
will make them available free of charge to federal government employees for reference and review
purposes. Please email EPP@epa.gov if you have any difficulties accessing the below standards and
ecolabels free of charge.

Federal agency representatives can contact their agency's Standards Executive for further assistance.
Access Recommended Standards and Ecolabels Free of Charge:

Instructions: Click the following links to gain access to the following standards/ecolabels. Federal government
employees should contact the organization directly to gain free access.

•	ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainabilitv Standard - level® certified

•	ANSI/BIFMA X7.1 Standard for Formaldehyde and TVOC Emissions

•	Association for Contract Textiles NSF/ANSI 336: Sustainabilitv Assessment for Commercial
Furnishings Fabric

•	Biodegradable Products Institute certified compostable (provided composting available)

•	Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard

•	CRI Green Label Plus™ Program

•	Environmental Choice New Zealand EC-07-15 Paints

•	Environmental Choice New Zealand EC-33-14 Synthetic Carpets

•	EPEAT Registered (highest rating available)

•	FloorScore®

•	Global Recycled Standard

•	Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) Floor Coverings

•	Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) Furniture. Fittings, and Foam

•	Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) Paints & Coatings

•	GreenCircle Certified Environmental Facts for Flooring Products

•	Green Seal™ 01 Standard for Sanitary Paper Products

•	Green Seal™ 07 Standard for Printing and Writing Paper

•	Green Seal™ 11 Standard for Paints, Coatings, Stains, and Sealers

•	Green Seal™ 37 Standard for Cleaning Products for Industrial and Institutional Use

•	Green Seal™ 40 Standard for Floor-Care Products for Industrial and Institutional Use

•	Green Seal™ 41 Standard for Hand Cleaners for Industrial and Institutional Use

•	Green Seal™ 43 Standard for Recycled Content Latex Paints

•	Green Seal™ 53 Standard for Specialty Cleaning Products for Industrial and Institutional Use

•	International Living Future Institute: Declare

•	International Living Future Institute: Living Product ChallengeSM 1.0

•	Master Painters Institute (MPI®) Extreme Green™

•	NSF/ANSI 140 Sustainabilitv Assessment for Carpet

•	NSF/ANSI 332 International Sustainabilitv Assessment for Resilient Floor Coverings

•	Pacific Northwest Snowfighters Qualified Products

•	SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold

•	SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold for Furniture

•	Sustainable Furnishings Council Exemplary

•	Sustainable Materials Rating Technology (SMaRT)

•	Tile Council of North America (TCNA): ANSI A138.1/ Green Sguared

•	TUV Rheinland® Green Product Mark

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Access Recommended UL Standards Free of Charge:

Instructions: If you do not already have a registered account visit UL to create one. Anyone with a .gov email
address will gain access to the standard free of charge. Once the account is created follow the instructions
below:

1.	Click the desired standard below which will take you to the UL website.

2.	Click the red "Purchase Options" button. It will take you to a new page, select "Secure PDF" with no
fee, then click the red "Add to Cart" button.

3.	On the next page click the red "Checkout" button.

4.	If not already logged in, you will be asked for your log in information here. Log in and proceed to the
next page and click the red "Checkout" button.

5.	On the next page click the red "Go to Download PDF" button and follow the directions to download. You
then should have full access to the following standards:

•	Ecoloqo/UL 126 Standard for Sustainabilitv for Plastic Film Products

•	Ecologo/UL 2759 Standard for Hard Surface Cleaners

•	Ecologo/UL 2762 Sustainabilitv Standard for Adhesives

•	Ecoloqo/UL 2771 Standard for Sustainable Paper Products

•	Ecoloqo/UL 2777 Standard for Sustainabilitv for Hard Floor Care

•	Ecoloqo/UL 2784 Standard for Hand Cleaners

•	UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification Program for Chemical Emissions for Building Materials,
Finishes and Furnishings

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Find Products

To search for products that meet the recommended standards or ecolabels, browse the product registry links
per product category listed below.

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
EPA's Guidelines.

Cafeteria

Take-Out Service: Containers, Cutlery, Dishware

•	Biodegradable Products Institute
Commercial Dishwasher Detergent

•	Green Seal™ 53 Standard for Specialty Cleaning Products for Industrial and Institutional Use

•	Ecologo/UL 2759 Standard for Hard Surface Cleaners

Construction

Adhesives

•	Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard

•	SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold

•	UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification Program for Chemical Emissions for Building Materials. Finishes
and Furnishings

•	Ecologo/UL 2762 Sustainabilitv Standard for Adhesives

Carpet

•	Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard

•	Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) Floor Coverings

•	GreenCircle Certified Environmental Facts for Flooring Products

•	NSF/ ANSI 140 Sustainabilitv Assessment for Carpet

•	Environmental Choice New Zealand EC-33-14 Synthetic Carpets

•	International Living Future Institute: Living Product ChallengeSM 1.0

•	Sustainable Materials Rating Technology (SMaRT)

•	International Living Future Institute: Declare

•	CRI Green Label Plus™ Program

•	FloorScore®

•	SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold

•	UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification Program for Chemical Emissions for Building Materials, Finishes
and Furnishings

•	Global Recycled Standard

Ceiling Tiles-Acoustical

•	Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard

•	SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold

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• UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification Program for Chemical Emissions for Building Materials, Finishes

and Furnishings

Fiberboard, Gypsum Panels, and Wallboard

•	Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard

•	SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold

•	UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification Program for Chemical Emissions for Building Materials, Finishes
and Furnishings

Flooring

•	Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard

•	Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) Floor Coverings

•	GreenCircle Certified Environmental Facts for Flooring Products

•	NSF/ANSI 332 Sustainability Assessment for Resilient Floor Coverings

o No directory of certified products available at this time

•	Tile Council of North America (TCNA): ANSI A138.1/ Green Squared

o Green Sguared Certified
o SCS
o UL

•	International Living Future Institute: Living Product ChallengeSM 1.0

•	Sustainable Materials Rating Technology (SMaRT)

•	International Living Future Institute: Declare

•	FloorScore®

•	SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold

•	UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification Program for Chemical Emissions for Building Materials, Finishes
and Furnishings

•	Global Recycled Standard

Insulation

•	Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard

•	SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold

•	UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification Program for Chemical Emissions for Building Materials, Finishes
and Furnishings

Interior Latex Paint

•	Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard

•	Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) Paints & Coatings Ecolabel

•	GreenSeal™ 11 Standard for Paints, Coatings, Stains, and Sealers

•	GreenSeal™ 43 Standard for Recycled Content Latex Paints

•	Master Painters Institute (MPI®) Extreme Green™

•	Environmental Choice New Zealand EC-07-15 Paints

•	International Living Future Institute: Living Product ChallengeSM 1.0

•	Sustainable Materials Rating Technology (SMaRT)

•	International Living Future Institute: Declare

•	SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold

•	UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification Program for Chemical Emissions for Building Materials, Finishes
and Furnishings

Custodial

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Cleaners: Carpet, Glass, Multipurpose

•	Green Seal™ 37 Standard for Cleaning Products for Industrial and Institutional Use

•	Ecologo/UL 2759 Standard for Hard Surface Cleaners

Floor Care

•	Green Seal™ 40 Standard for Floor-Care Products for Industrial and Institutional Use

•	Ecologo/UL 2777 Standard for Sustainabilitv for Hard Floor Care Products

Hand Soap

•	Green Seal™ 41 Standard for Hand Cleaners for Industrial and Institutional Use

•	Ecologo/UL 2784 Standard for Hand Cleaners

Toilet Tissue

•	Green Seal™ 01 Standard for Sanitary Paper Products
Towels- Paper

•	Green Seal™ 01 Standard for Sanitary Paper Products
Wastebasket Liners (24" x 33" or smaller)

•	Ecologo/UL 126 Standard for Sustainabilitv for Plastic Film Products

Electronics

Computers: Desktops, Notebooks (including 2-in-1 notebooks), Displays, Integrated Desktop
Computers, Workstation Desktops, Thin Clients, and Slates/Tablets

•	EPEAT Registered

Imaging Equipment: Printers, Copiers, Multi-Function Devices, Scanners, Fax Machines, Digital
Duplicators, Mailing Machines

•	EPEAT Registered
Mobile Phones

•	EPEAT Registered
Televisions

•	EPEAT Registered

Grounds/Landscaping

•	Pacific Northwest Snowfighters Qualified Products

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Office/Furniture

Copy Paper

•	Ecoloqo/UL 2771 Standard for Sustainable Paper Products

•	Green Seal™ 07 Standard for Printing and Writing Paper

Furniture

•	ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard - level® certified

•	Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard

•	Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) Furniture. Fittings, and Foam

•	TUV Rheinland® Green Product Mark

•	International Living Future Institute: Living Product ChallengeSM 1.0

•	Sustainable Furnishings Council Exemplary

•	Sustainable Materials Rating Technology (SMaRT)

•	International Living Future Institute: Declare

•	SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold for Furniture

•	UL 2818 GREENGUARD Certification Program for Chemical Emissions for Building Materials. Finishes
and Furnishings

•	Global Recycled Standard

•	Association for Contract Textiles NSF/ANSI 336: Sustainability Assessment for Commercial
Furnishings Fabric

o No directory of certified products available at this time

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