US Environmental Protection Agency opens applications for assessment of environmental performance standards and ecolabels for federal purchasing

EPA’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program would like to alert you of the opportunity for your organization to apply to be assessed and potentially added to EPA’s Recommendations of Specifications, Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing (Recommendations).  Interested applicants have until January 1, 2023, to apply to be assessed for potential inclusion.

Here’s some additional info that you can also find on EPA webpage, here.

Who should apply?

EPA is seeking to assess multi-attribute standards and ecolabels that recognize environmental performance leadership and support federal goals and mandates regarding climate, safer chemicals, or other sustainable acquisition priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration (e.g., net-zero emissions, low embodied carbon construction materials, and the restriction or elimination of per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in products). EPA is particularly interested in assessing standards and ecolabels in the following sectors:

• Building/Construction;
• Infrastructure;
• Landscaping;
• Food and cafeteria services;
• Uniforms/Clothing;
• Professional services; and
• Laboratories and healthcare.

Additionally, organizations that manage standards or ecolabels that address purchase categories already included in the Recommendations are welcome to submit an application. View the current purchase categories, here.

Why should you apply?

The federal government is the largest purchaser in the world, spending over $650 billion on products and services each year. EPA’s Recommendations leverage private sector environmental performance standards and ecolabels to help meet various Federal sustainable purchasing goals and mandates. President Biden’s Executive Order 14057 on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability and the accompanying Federal Sustainability Plan identify the Recommendations as a key tool in helping to meet the ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions from federal procurement by 2050 and in identifying products that do not contain PFAS.

How to apply?

1. Familiarize yourself with the Framework for the Assessment of Environmental Performance Standards and Ecolabels. The Framework will be used to assess all eligible applicants.
2. Submit responses to the scoping questions to epp@epa.gov by January 1, 2023. The scoping questions will be used by EPA to determine eligibility and  scope of the assessment.

Learn more:

• Additional information on the Framework and how to apply.
• View the Federal Register Notice.
• Sign up for the EPP listserv to stay up-to-date