Recommendations: Update History
This page lists changes to the Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing webpages.
January 2024
- Updated the Recommendations webpage by adding an interactive table.
- Transferred the information from the already existing webpage “How EPA’s Recommended Standards and Ecolabels Address Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)” into the interactive table and unpublished the PFAS webpage.
- The table will now only highlight criteria addressing any type of PFAS and will no longer highlight criteria addressing only PFOA and/or PFOS. Standards/ecolabels affected by this change will still be included in EPA's Recommendations but will no longer be highlighted for addressing PFAS.
- Created a new column in the interactive table for how each standard/ecolabel addresses plastics.
- Added a row called "Date Added" to indicate the month and year each standard/ecolabel was added to the Recommendations.
- Clarification was made to a December 2016 recommendation to more clearly display the certification programs that test and certify products according to 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 1.2-2017 (the VOC emission testing method for California Specification 01350). Instead of linking to the California Department of Health’s website to find the list of certification programs, they are now incorporated directly into the Recommendations table so users can more easily see the full set of options.
May 2023
- Moved the SNAP program from the "Federal Ecolabel Program" section to the "Statutory Requirements" section in the Adhesives category to accurately reflect the sustainable purchasing requirements within Executive Order 14057.
March 2023
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Implemented eligibility criterion #1 (see April 2022) by adding language next to the standards or ecolabels that have limited or zero product and/or supplier availability.
- Removed Green Seal 43 Standard for Recycled Content Latex Paints standard from the Interior Latex Paint category at the request of Green Seal due to low product availability.
November 2022
- Added the Network Equipment purchase category to align with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 23.704(a)(1) requirement for federal purchasers to procure EPEAT registered products and related services.
- Added the Photovoltaic Modules and Inverters, Power Purchase Agreements, and Energy Savings Performance Contracts purchase categories to align with updates to the DOE GreenBuy Award Program, Priority Products list.
- Added Network Equipment as an applicable purchase category under “Cloud Services”.
- Added a new footnote (##) to indicate if a standard or ecolabel has low product or supplier availability.
- Added a new footnote (4) to indicate if a standard or ecolabel was added based on the FAR clause 23.704(a)(1).
April 2022
- The standard/ecolabel organizations included in the Recommendations were notified of three new eligibility criteria to be implemented in 2023. These criteria ensure consistency with U.S. federal government standards policy and assists with implementation into General Services Administration (GSA) procurement tools and contracts.
- A standard/ecolabel must have at least three conforming products/services from at least two suppliers. Standards/ecolabels that do not meet this requirement can still be included in the Recommendations, however, a note will be added to indicate there are limited products or suppliers. Further, those standards/ecolabels will not be included in GSA’s Green Procurement Compilation until there is sufficient product availability for competition purposes.
- There must be a publicly available and current (i.e., updated in the last 3 months) directory/registry of products/services conformant to the standard or ecolabel. If a standard/ecolabel organization cannot meet this criterion by December 31, 2023, their standard(s)/ecolabel(s) will be removed from the Recommendations.
- All standards and ecolabels are required to demonstrate that they have a competent certification program – either via accreditation or the alternative pathway provided in Section III of EPA’s Framework for the Assessment of Environmental Performance Standards and Ecolabels. If a standard/ecolabel organization cannot meet this criterion by December 31, 2023, their standard(s)/ecolabel(s) will be removed from the Recommendations.
March 2022
- Added the following language to individual product category pages to further clarify which recommended standards/ecolabels include criteria to address PFAS: “Learn how this standard/ecolabel includes criteria to address PFAS”.
February 2022
- Published a new webpage How EPA’s Recommended Standards and Ecolabels Address Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
- Added the following note to clarify that the Recommendations also apply to services: “Note that the following Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels are required to be used in federal procurement for both products and associated service contracts to the maximum extent practicable.”
- Re-named the “Electronics” category “Electronics and Associated Services” to clarify the application to services.
- Added the following sub-categories under the “Electronics and Associated Services” category:
- Cloud Services
- Print Management Services
- Seat Management Services
- Wireless Services
- Added a new sub-category under “Construction” called “Other Miscellaneous Building Finishes”. The standard/ecolabel recommendations in this category have been adopted from other building material categories since they address the same relevant environmental hotspots. No new standards or ecolabels were assessed under this category.
- Updated product category title "Take-out Service: Containers, Cutlery, Dishware" to "Food Service Ware: Containers, Cutlery, Dishware" for clarity.
January 2022
- Added a link to the GSAXcess program on each product category page to encourage re-use and circularity.
- Updated all references to 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 to reflect the latest version 1.2 (2017) in the following product categories:
- Adhesives;
- Carpet;
- Ceiling Tiles - Acoustical;
- Fiberboard, Gypsum Panels, and Wallboard;
- Flooring;
- Insulation;
- Interior Latex Paint;
- Additionally, a website link was added to help purchasers identify other certifiers/ecolabels that can provide demonstration of conformity to CDPH Standard Method v1.2 (2017).
- Updated three product category titles for clarity.
- Paper Towels to replace Towels- Paper;
- Bathroom Tissue to replace Toilet Tissue;
- Trash Bags to replace Wastebasket liners.
- Added Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label Plus ecolabel to the Adhesives category after receiving new information that this category is also within the scope.
July 2020
- Aligned with updates to the FY2021 DOE GreenBuy Award Program, Priority Products list by adding the following recommended standards and ecolabels:
- UL 2795 (Standard for Sustainability for Carpet and Upholstery Care Products) to the “Cleaners: Carpet, Glass and Multipurpose” category.
- Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), Certified Compostable to the “Wastebasket Liners” category.
- Green SealTM 34 (Standard for Cleaning and Degreasing Agents) and Ecologo/UL 2792 (Standard for Cleaning and Degreasing Compounds: Biologically-based) to a new category “Machine Shop Operations,” sub-category “Parts Wash Solution”.
- e-Stewards® Standard for Responsible Reuse and Recycling of Electronics Equipment© (e-Stewards®) and Responsible Recycling (R2) standard to a new category under “Electronics” for “Electronics Recycling Services”.
- EPEAT (highest rating available) to a new “Servers” subcategory under “Electronics”.
- Aligned with updates to GSA’s Public Building Service, Key Sustainable Products list by adding the following standard/ecolabel:
- Ecologo/UL 175 (Standard for Sustainability for Sanitary Paper Products) to the “toilet tissue” and “towels- paper” categories.
January 2020
- Removed Floorscore from the "Carpet" category. In consultation with SCS, it was confirmed that this ecolabel is not applicable in this category and it had been added in error.
July 2019
To align with the Implementing Instructions for Executive Order 13834 on Efficient Federal Operations (revoked by Executive Order 13990 except for sections 6,7, and 11), the following updates were made:
- Added logos for each recommended private sector standard/ecolabel to provide some visual clarity.
- Added links to lists of products certified under each standard/ecolabel to help federal purchasers quickly and easily find products that meet the sustainability recommendations for each category.
- Added links to directions on how to access the standards/ecolabel criteria under each product category to help federal purchasers more easily find this information.
- Updated language to indicate that the Recommendations are a tool for helping federal purchasers identify environmentally preferable products - including products that meet statutory requirements - but are no longer mandatory guidance for federal purchasers.
June 2018
- Removed the Lumber/Wood product category.
February 2018
- Updated the format of the Recommendations to increase clarity and respond to stakeholder feedback.
- Mobile Phones has been added to the "Electronics" product category.
December 2017
- As had been communicated on the website since early 2017, the indoor air quality/VOC specification for furniture was changed from ANSI/BIFMA X7.1 Standard for Formaldehyde and TVOC Emissions, or equivalent to BIFMA e3 criterion 7.6.2, or equivalent.
June 14, 2017
- Edited the recommendation of UL standards to also reference UL’s Ecologo certification in the following product categories (cafeteria, construction, custodial, and office/furniture) to better align with DOE’s GreenBuy Program and GSA’s Key Sustainable Products.
March 7, 2017
- Updated format of recommendations to further clarify differences between applicable statutory requirements and applicable EPA programs.
- Added a specification regarding indoor air quality/emissions in the furniture product category to address a potential gap in the recommended multi-attribute standards.
- Updated recommendations to reflect the outcome of new assessments in the carpet & interior latex paints product categories.
December 19, 2016
- Updated recommendations to reflect EPA’s assessment of standards and ecolabels submitted for review in these categories: furniture, flooring, and paints/coatings.
- Improved the format of the recommendations for all product categories.
- Responded to stakeholder input and technical input from EPA’s Office of Indoor Air regarding appropriate VOC emissions criteria and available conformity assessment bodies providing assessment against this criteria in the following product categories:
- Adhesives;
- Carpet;
- Ceiling Tiles-Acoustical;
- Fiberboard, Gypsum Panels, and Wallboard;
- Flooring- Tile, Resilient, and other Non-Carpet;
- Insulation;
- Interior Latex Paint;
- Furniture.
- Aligned with updates to the FY2017 DOE Priority Products List by adding Commercial Dishwashing Detergent and by removing two product categories: Toner Cartridges and Parts Wash Solution for Machine Shop Operations.
August 1, 2016
- Added contact information on how to send suggestions about the EPA Interim Recommendations. Please contact [email protected].
June 27, 2016
- Added a tab titled "Accessing Standards" with detailed instructions for US federal government employees on how to access the recommended standards free of charge.
November 10, 2015
Updated the webpage and the PDF version of the recommendations to correctly indicate CPG and BioPreferred requirements in the following product categories:
- Adhesives (removed reference to BioPreferred – no current BioPreferred requirement for this product category)
- Carpet (added reference to BioPreferred, deleted reference to "nylon" in first column and added reference to "commercial" in fourth column)
- Fiberboard (added reference to CPG requirements)
- Flooring (added reference to BioPreferred requirements for non-carpet floor coverings)
- Insulation (added reference to CPG on the webpage to align with information in the PDF version)
- Paint (added reference to CPG on the webpage to align with information in the PDF version)
- Wastebasket Liners (added reference to BioPreferred requirements)
September 25, 2015
- Announced the interim recommendations through the Federal Register.