Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and
Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing

The Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels are a tool intended to help
federal purchasers efficiently and effectively identify and procure environmentally sustainable
products and services. The tool also helps the Federal government meet their agency's
sustainability goals, and comply with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA), the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990
(PPA), policy directives from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Executive
Order 13834, as described in the frequent questions section of this webpage. The federal
government is the single largest purchaser in the U.S., spending over $450 billion on products
and services each year. The recommendations currently cover 22 key federal purchase categories
and include over 40 private sector standards/ecolabels for use in federal procurement.

^VSmartWay

MPI

E TREME 		

- GREEN'

(DBPISNAP

(Updated: April 30, 2020)

1


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Contents

Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing	3

I.	Product Category: CAFETERIA	3

TAKE-OUT SERVICE: Containers, Cutlery, Dishware	3

COMMERCIAL DISHWASHER DETERGENT	4

II.	Product Category: CONSTRUCTION	5

ADHESIVES	5

CARPET	6

CEILING TILES-ACOUSTICAL	9

FIBERBOARD, GYPSUM PANELS, AND WALLBOARD	10

FLOORING - Tile, Resilient, and other Non-Carpet	12

INSULATION	15

INTERIOR LATEX PAINT	16

III.	Product Category: CUSTODIAL	19

CLEANERS: Carpet, Glass and Multipurpose	19

FLOOR CARE	20

HAND SOAP	21

TOILET TISSUE	23

TOWELS- PAPER	24

WASTEBASKET LINERS (24" x 33" or smaller)	25

IV.	Product Category: ELECTRONICS	26

COMPUTERS	26

IMAGING EQUIPMENT	27

MOBILE PHONES	28

TELEVISIONS	28

V.	Product Category: GROUNDS/LANDSCAPING	29

DEICER	29

VI.	Product Category: OFFICE/FURNITURE	30

COPY PAPER	30

FURNITURE	31

Instructions for US Federal Government Employees on How to Access Standards for Free	35

Find Products Certified to the Recommended Standards and Ecolabels	37

Footnotes	41

2


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Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and
Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing

I. Product Category: CAFETERIA

TAKE-OUT SERVICE: Containers, Cutlery, Dishware

Statutory Requirement

Notes

Products shall meet this statutory requirement:

p p BioPreferred® Program - Federal
Purchasing

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

Federal Ecolabel Program

Notes

Agencies can use:

BioPreferred® Program - USD A

Discover USDA certified biobased
products.

Certified Biobased



Recommended Private Sector
Standards/Ecolabels

Notes

Agencies can use:

Biodegradable Products
Dpi Institute certified comoostable
liri provided composting available-

Learn how government employees
mav access these standards for free.

Discover take-out service products
that meet this standard/ecolabel.

3


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COMMERCIAL DISHWASHER DETERGENT

Statutory Requirement

Notes

Products si

FP

lall meet this statutory requirement:
BioPreferred® Program - Federal

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

Purchasing



Federal Ecolabel Program

Notes

Agei

icies c

a

SAFER
CHOICE

an use:

Safer Choice

Discover Safer Choice certified
products.

Recommended Private Sector
Standards/Ecolabels

Notes

Agei
>

(

icies can use:

> Green Seal™ 53 Standard for

Learn how government employees
may access these standards for free.

Discover commercial dishwasher
detergent that meet these
standards/ecol ab el s.

9

i ^ Specialty Cleaning Products for
Industrial and Institutional Use2

Ecologo/UL 2759 Standard for Hard
Surface Cleaners2

4


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II. Product Category: CONSTRUCTION

Adhesives	Flooring

Carpet	Insulation

Ceiling Tiles-Acoustical	Interior Latex Paint
Fiberboard. Gypsum Panels, and Wallboard

ADHESIVES

Statutory Requirement

Notes

Products shall meet this statutory requirement:

r n BioPreferred® Program - Federal
' ' Purchasing

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

Federal Ecolabel Program

Notes

Agencies can use one or more of the following:

BioPreferred® Program - USD A
Certified Biobased

§N/\P Significant New Alternatives Policy

Discover USDA certified biobased
products.

Recommended Private Sector
Standards/Ecolabels

Notes

Ai

gencies ca

H CERTIFIED

w

cradle to cradle

in use:

Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product
Standard1

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

5


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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

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.

Learn how government employees
may access these standards for free.

Discover adhesives that meet these
standards/ecol ab el s.

CARPET

Statutory Requirements

Notes

Products shall meet these statutory requirements:
^ q BioPreferred® Program - Federal

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

¦ * 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)).

Federal Ecolabel Program

Notes

Agencies can use:

BioPreferred® Program - USD A

Discover USDA certified biobased

Certified Biobased

products.

6


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Recommended Private Sector
Standards/Ecolabels

Notes

1st Choice private sector standards/ecolabels:

Multi-attribute with confirmed accredited or
conforming certification body:

Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product

i#

Standard

Good Environmental Choice Australia
(GECA) Floor Coverings1 *

GreenCircle Certified 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'/ecolabelsV
certifications' effectiveness in
addressing the potential environmental
impacts of material harvesting and/or
extraction.

Learn how government employees

may access these standards for free.

Discover carpet products that meet
these standards/ecolabels.

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 Carpets1"

LIVING

PRODUCT

CHALLENGE

International Living

Future Institute: Living Product

Challenge SM 1.0'

SMART

V y certified

Sustainable Materials Rating
Technology (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).

Learn how government employees

may access these standards for free.

Discover carpet products that meet
these standards/ecolabels.

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:

Learn how government employees

may access these standards for free.

Discover carpet products that meet
these standards/ecolabels.

7


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

, International Living Future Institute:

Declare. DeclareiS

Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions:

| CRI Green Label Plus™ Program1*

SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold1

MOOQfMWHnacOLO

UL 2818 GREENGUARD
Certification Program For Chemical
Emissions For Building Materials,
Finishes And Furnishings1

Recycled Content:

(^ciob^nccydcd Global Recycled Standard1 AND the
K^_standard specification below



Specification

Notes

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

Products shall meet California Department of Public
Health (CDPFI) 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.

8


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CEILING TILES-ACOUSTICAL

Statutory Requirement

Notes

Products shall meet this statutory requirement:

p- q BioPreferred® Program - Federal
Purchasing

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

Federal Ecolabel Program

Notes

Agencies can use:







BioPreferred® Program - USD A

Discover USDA certified biobased



w

Certified Biobased

products.

Recommended Private Sector
Standards/Ecolabels

Notes

Agencies can use:

To address Indoor Air Quality/VOC
Emissions, EPA recommends
products meet the California
Department of Public Health
(CDPH) Standard Method for the



CO

crodletocradle

Cradle to Cradle
Certified™ Product Standard1



PRODUCTS PROGRAt-



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





SCS Indoor Advantage™Gold1







m

UL 2818 GREENGUARD
Certification Program For Chemical
Emissions For Building Materials,
Finishes And Furnishings1





been assessed by EPA and



^ COLD



incorporate by reference CDPH







9


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CEILING TILES-ACOUSTICAL

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.

Learn how government employees
may access these standards for free.

Discover acoustical ceiling tile
products that meet these
standards/ecol ab el s.

FIBERBOARD, GYPSUM PANELS, AND WALLBOARD

Statutory Requirements

Notes

Products shall meet these statutory requirements:

p p BioPreferred® Program - Federal
Purchasing

CPG

For specific requirements, go to
GS A'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)).

10


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FIBERBOARD, GYPSUM PANELS, AND WALLBOARD

Federal Ecolabel Program

Notes

Agencies can use:

m

BioPreferred® Program - USD A
Certified Biobased

Discover USDA certified biobased
products.

Recommended Private Sector
Standards/Ecolabels

Notes

Agencies can use:

Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product

cradletocradle	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
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.

Learn how government employees
may access these standards for free.

Discover fiberboard. gypsum panels
& wallboard that meet these
standards/ecol ab el s.

11


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FLOORING - Tile, Resilient, and other Non-Carpet

Statutory Requirements

Notes

Products shall meet these statutory requirements:

FP



BioPreferred® Program - Federal
Purchasing

CPG

For specific requirements, go to
GS A'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)).

Federal Ecolabel Program

Notes

Agencies can use:

it

BioPreferred® Program - USD A
Certified Biobased

Discover USDA certified biobased
products.

Recommended Private Sector
Standards/Ecolabels

Notes

1st Choice private sector standards/ecolabels:

Multi-attribute with confirmed accredited or
conforming certification body:

Cradle to Cradle Certified™

Product Standard

i#

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.

12


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FLOORING - Tile, Resilient, and other Non-Carpet

Good Environmental Choice
Australia (GECA) Floor
Coverings1*

Green Circle Certified
Environmental Facts for Flooring
Products'*

NSF/ANSI 332 Sustainability
Assessment for Resilient Floor



Coverings1

Tile Council of North America
(TCXA): ANSI A138.1/ Green
Squared1

Learn how government employees

may access these standards for free.

Discover flooring products that
meet these standards/ecolabels.

If a product meeting a 1st Choice standard/ecolabel
is not available, agencies can use one of
these multi-attribute standards/ecolabels**:

LIVING

PRODUCT

CHALLENGE

International Living
Future Institute: Living
Product Challenge8^1 1.01 * 2

SMART

V y certified

Sustainable Materials Rating
Technology (SMaRT s AND the
specification below

**These are standards/ecolabels for
which EP A has not been able to
confirm that an accredited or
conforming certification body is
available more information in
footnotes).

Learn how government employees

may access these standards for free-

Pi scover flooring products that
meet these standards/ecolabels.

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:

Learn how government employees

may access these standards for free.

Discover flooring products that
meet these standards/ecolabels

13


-------
FLOORING - Tile, Resilient, and other Non-Carpet

International Living Future Institute:
Declare. Declare1

Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions:

floor FloorScore®1

score

SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold1

U'L 2818 GREEMGUARP
Certification Program For Chemical
Emissions For Building Materials.
Finishes And Furnishings1

Recycled Content:

Q	Global Recycled

mdarded Standard AND the specification
below

Specification

Notes

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.

14


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INSULATION

Statutory Requirements

Notes

Products shall meet these statutory requirements:

CPG

ENERGY STAR®

For specific requirements, go to

GSA's Green Procurement
Compilation.

Federal Ecolabel Program

Agencies can use:



BioPreferred' Program - USD A
Certified Biobased

Discover USDA certified biobased
products.

Recommended Private Sector
Standards/Ecolabels

Notes

Agencies can use:

Cradle to Cradle

CertifiedrM 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

15


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INSULATION



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.

Learn how government employees
mav access these standards for free.

Discover insulation products that
meet these standards/ecolabels.

INTERIOR LATEX PAINT

Statutory Requirements

Notes

Products shall meet these statutory requirements:

p p BioPreferred® Program - Federal
Purchasing

CPG

For specific requirements, go to
GS A'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)).

Federal Ecolabel Program

Notes

Agencies can use:

BioPreferred® Program - USD A
Certified Biobased

Discover USDA certified biobased
products.

16


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INTERIOR LATEX PAINT

Recommended Private Sector
Standards/Ecolabels

Notes

1st Choice private sector standards/ecolabels:

Multi-attribute with confirmed accredited or
conforming certification body:

Cradle to Cradle
Certified™ Product Standard1



SE4<

vV

Good Environmental Choice
Australia (GECA) Paints &
Coatings Ecolabel1*

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

Green Seal ™ 43 Standard for
Recycled Content Latex Paints1*

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.

Learn how government employees

may access these standards for free.

Discover interior latex paints that
meet these standards/ecolabels.

Master Painters Institute

EXTREME

jiGREEN

(MPI®) Extreme Green™1 *

If a product meeting a 1st Choice standard/ccolabel
is not available, agencies can use one of
these multi-attribute standards/ecolabels**:

Environmental Choice New Zealand

EC-07-18 Paints1*

**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).

Learn how government employees

may access these standards for free.

17


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INTERIOR LATEX PAINT

living International Living
jrafp product Future Institute: Living
WW challenge pr0(juct Challenge™ 1.01

0RT Sustainable Materials Rating
^certified Technology (SMaRT)1

Discover interior latex paints that
meet these standards/ecolabels.

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. Declare - *

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
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.

Learn how government employees
may access these standards for free.

Discover interior latex paints that
meet these standards/ecolabels.

18


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III. Product Category: CUSTODIAL

Cleaners: Carpet. Glass. Multipurpose
Floor Care
Hand Soap

Toilet Tissue
Towels- Paper

Wastebasket Liners (24" x 33" or smaller)

CLEANERS: Carpet, Glass and Multipurpose

Statutory Requirement

Notes

Products shall meet this statutory requirement:

p P BioPreferred® Program - Federal
Purchasing

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

Federal Ecolabel Programs

Notes

Agencies can use one or more of the following:



BioPreferred® Program - USD A
Certified Biobased

Discover USDA certified biobased
products.

r©i

SAFER

choice Safer Choice

Discover Safer Choice
certified products.

19


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CLEANERS: Carpet, Glass and Multipurpose

Recommended Private Sector
Standards/Ecolabels

Notes

Agencies can use:

*Green Seal™ 37 Standard for

Cleaning Products for Industrial and
' " Institutional Use3

Ecologo/UL 2759 Standard for Hard
Surface Cleaners3

Learn how government employees
mav access these standards for free.

Discover cleaning products that
meet these standards/ecolabels.

FLOOR CARE

Statutory Requirement

Notes

Products shall meet this statutory requirement:

p P BioPreferred® Program - Federal
Purchasing

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

Federal Ecolabel Programs

Notes

Agencies can use one or more of the following:

BioPreferred® Program - USD A
Certified Biobased

Discover USDA certified biobased
products.

20


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FLOOR CARE

©
SAFER
CHOICE

Safer Choice

Discover Safer Choice
certified products.

Recommended Private Sector
Standards/Ecolabels

Notes

Agencies can use:

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

Ecologo/UL 2777 Standard for
Sustainabilitv for Hard Floor Care
Products2

Learn how government employees
may access these standards for free.

Discover floor care products that
meet these standards/ecolabels.

HAND SOAP

Statutory Requirement

Notes

Products shall meet this statutory requirement:

p P BioPreferred® Program - Federal
Purchasing

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

21


-------
HAND SOAP

Federal Ecolabel Programs

Notes

AŁ

^encies

SAFER
CHOICE

can use one or more of the following:

1 BioPreferred® Program - USDA
Certified Biobased

Safer Choice

Discover USDA certified biobased
products.

Discover Safer Choice
certified products.

Recommended Private Sector
Standards/Ecolabels

Notes

Agencies can use:

^ se^/ Green Seal™ 41 Standard for Hand
4? Cleaners for Industrial and
Institutional Use3

Ecoloso/UL 2784 Standard for
Hand Cleaners3

Learn how government employees
mav access these standards for free.

Discover hand soao products that
meet these standards/ecolabels.

22


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TOILET TISSUE

Statutory Requirement

Notes

Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
Q CPG

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

Federal Ecolabel Program

Notes

Agencies can use:

BioPreferred® Program - USDA
Certified Biobased

Discover USDA certified biobased
products.

Recommended Private Sector
Standard/Ecolabel

Notes

Agencies can use:

* Green Seal™ 01 Standard for
Sanitary Paper Products3

Learn how government employees
mav access this standard for free.

Discover toilet tissue products that
meet this standard/ecolabel.

23


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TOWELS- PAPER

Statutory Requirement

Notes

Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
CPG

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

Federal Ecolabel Program

Notes

Agencies can use:

BioPreferred® Program - USDA
Certified Biobased

Discover USDA certified biobased
products.

Recommended Private Sector
Standard/Ecolabel

Notes

Agencies can use:

A SE**

Ł i Green Seal™ 01 Standard for
J8 WJMB Sanitary Paper Products3

Learn how government employees
mav access this standard for free.

Discover oaoer towel products that
meet this standard/ecolabel.

24


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

Statutory Requirements

Notes

Products shall meet these statutory requirements:

p P BioPreferred® Program - Federal
Purchasing

—

For specific requirements, go to
GS A'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)).

Federal Ecolabel Program

Notes

Agencies can use:

BioPreferred® Program - USD A
Certified Biobased

Discover USDA certified biobased
products.

Recommended Private Sector
Standard/Ecolabel

Notes

Agencies can use:

Ecologo/UL 126 Standard for
Sustainabilitv for Plastic Film
WOP Products3

Requires 25% post-consumer
recycled content for packaging and
20-25% for plastic film products.
Learn how government employees
mav access this standard for free.

Discover wastebasket liners that
meet this standard/ecolabel.

25


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IV. Product Category: ELECTRONICS

Computers	Mobile Phones

Imaging Equipment	Televisions

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

Statutory Requirements

Notes

Products shall meet these statutory requirements:

ENERGY STAR®

F E M Pi* Federal Energy Management

rWMrt FYw|, F.w«jwr«I fVrkjw PrOŁ2Xctr]fl

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

Recommended Private Sector
Standard/Ecolabel

Notes

Agencies can use:

jm^ EPEAT Registered (highest rating
available)2

Learn how government employees
mav access this standard for free.

Discover com outers that meet this
standard/ecolabel.

26


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IMAGING EQUIPMENT: Printers, Copiers, Multi-Function
Devices, Scanners, Fax Machines, Digital Duplicators, Mailing
Machines

Statutory Requirement

Notes

Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
ENERGY STAR®

E- r -. -TTT1

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

Recommended Private Sector
Standard/Ecolabel

Notes

Agencies can use:

EPEAT Registered (highest ratine
available)2

Learn how government employees
mav access this standard for free.

Discover imagine eauioment that
meet this standard/ecolabel.

27


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MOBILE PHONES

Statutory Requirements

Notes

N/A



Recommended Private Sector
Standard/Ecolabel

Notes

Agencies can use:

EPEAT Registered (highest ratine
available)2

Learn how government employees
mav access this standard for free.

Discover mobile phones that meet
this standard/ecolabel.



TELEVISIONS

Statutory Requirement

Notes

Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
^ ENERGY STAR®

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

Recommended Private Sector
Standard/Ecolabel

Notes

Agencies can use:

EPEAT Registered (highest ratine
available)2

Learn how government employees
mav access this standard for free.

Discover televisions that meet this
standard/ecolabel.

28


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V. Product Category: GROUNDS/LANDSCAPING

DEICER

Statutory Requirement

Notes

Products shall meet this statutory requirement:

F P BioPreferred® Program - Federal
Purchasing

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

Federal Ecolabel Program

Notes

Agencies can use:

BioPreferred® Program - USD A

Discover USDA certified biobased
products.

Discover Safer Choice
certified products.

Certified Biobased
rO"i Safer Choice

pi

Recommended Private Sector
Standard/Ecolabel

Notes

Agencies can use:

Learn how government employees
mav access this standard for free.

c I E a Clear Roads Oualified Products

research for winter highway maintenance J -j

this standard/ecolabel.

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VI. Product Category: OFFICE/FURNITURE

COPY PAPER

Statutory Requirement

Notes

Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
CpG

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

Federal Ecolabel Program

Notes

Agencies can use:

BioPreferred® Program - USDA
Certified Biobased

Discover USDA certified biobased
products.

Recommended Private Sector
Standards/Ecolabels

Notes

Agencies can use:

Ecoloso/UL 2771 Standard for
Sustainable Pacer Products2

Ł ) Green Seal™ 07 Standard for
Printing and Writing Paper2

Learn how government employees
mav access these standards for free.

Discover codv oaoer that meets
these standards/ecolabels.

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FURNITURE

Statutory Requirements

Notes

Products shall meet this statutory requirement:
CPG

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

Federal Ecolabel Program

Notes

Agencies can use:

BioPreferred® Program - USD A
Certified Biobased

Discover USDA certified biobased
products.

Recommended Private Sector
Standards/Ecolabels

Notes

1st Choice private sector standards/ecolabels:

Multi-attribute with confirmed accredited or
conforming certification body:

ANSI/BIFMA e-3 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,

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.

Learn how government employees
may access these standards for free.

Discover furniture products that
meet these standards/ecolabels.

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FURNITURE

TUVF-ioir l»r»?

Fittings, and Foam1* AND
specification 2 below

TUV Rheinland® Green Product
Mark1 AND specification 2 below



If a product meeting a 1st Choice standard/ecolabel
is not available, agencies can use one of
these multi-attribute standards/ecolabels**:

living International Living
WmB ™??.U5.T	Future Institute: Living

»' V CHALLENGE i u

Product Challenge 1.0 * -
AND specification 2 below

Sustainable Furnishings

1 Sustainable Council Exemplary1 *AND

furnishings council specification 1 & 2 below

Sustainable Materials Rating
Technology (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).

Learn how government employees
may access these standards for free.

Discover furniture products that
meet these standards/ecolabels.

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
Dnchm Future Institute: Declare1 *#
AND specification 2 below

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.

Learn how government employees
may access these standards for free.

Discover furniture products that
meet these standards/ecolabels.

32


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FURNITURE

Indoor Air Quality/VOC Emissions:

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

UL 2818 GREENGUARD
Certification Program For Chemical
Emissions For Building Materials,
Finishes And Furnishings1 AND
specification 2 below

Recycled Content:

Global Recycled

Standard1 AND specification 1 & 2
below

Textiles:



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

Fabric1 AND specification 1 & 2
below

Specifications

Notes

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.

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.

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FURNITURE

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.

The recommendations are based on an independent assessment of private sector environmental
performance standards and ecolabels against the EPA Guidelines for Environmental Performance
Standards and Ecolabels. Where an independent assessment of a standard or ecolabel against the
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 that address key product hotspots 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 MLA) 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.

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Instructions for US Federal Government Employees on How
to Access Standards for Free

If you are a US federal government employee who would like access to one of the standards and
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/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 to the
standard/ecolabel.

•	ANSI/BIFMA e-3 Furniture Sustainability Standard - level® certified

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

•	Association for Contract Textiles NSF/ANSI336: Sustainability 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-07-18 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

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•	International Living Future Institute: Living Product Challenge™ 1.0

•	Master Painters Institute (MPI®) Extreme Green™

•	NSF/ANSI140 Sustainabilitv Assessment for Carpet

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

•	Clear Roads Qualified Products List

•	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 Squared

•	TUV Rheinland® Green Product Mark

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:

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

•	Ecologo/UL 2759 Standard for Hard Surface Cleaners

•	Ecologo/UL 2762 Sustainabilitv Standard for Adhesives

•	Ecologo/UL 2771 Standard for Sustainable Paper Products

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

•	Ecologo/UL 2784 Standard for Hand Cleaners

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

36


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Find Products Certified to the Recommended Standards and
Ecolabels

To search for products that meet the recommended standards or ecolabels, browse the product
registry links per product category listed below. Please note that this is not intended to be a
comprehensive list. There could be other Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) or other
organizations that manage registries of certified products that may not be listed here.

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

o SCS Global Services
O UL SPOT

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

•	International Living Future Institute: Living Product Challenge™ 1.0

•	Sustainable Materials Rating Technology (SMaRT)

•	International Living Future Institute: Declare

•	CRI Green Label Plus™ Program

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•	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

•	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 Sustainabilitv Assessment for Resilient Floor Coverings

o SCS Global Services
O UL SPOT

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

•	International Living Future Institute: Living Product Challenge™ 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

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•	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-07-18 Paints

•	International Living Future Institute: Living Product Challenge™ 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

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-l 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

39


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Mobile Phones

•	EPEAT Registered

Televisions

•	EPEAT Registered

Grounds/Landscaping
Deicer

•	Clear Roads Qualified Products List
Office/F urniture

Copy Paper

•	Ecologo/UL 2771 Standard for Sustainable Paper Products

•	Green Seal™ 07 Standard for Printing and Writing Paper

Furniture

•	ANSI/BIFMA e-3 Furniture Sustainabilitv 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 Challenge™ 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 UL SPOT

40


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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 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-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.

41


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