Environmental Preferable Purchasing (EPP) is a federal procurement policy that prioritises the acquisition of products and services with reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle — from raw material extraction to manufacturing, distribution, use, and disposal. It is designed to promote sustainability, reduce pollution, conserve resources, and support environmentally responsible suppliers within the public procurement process.
EPP is not a product certification or standalone program. Rather, it is a strategic approach embedded in federal acquisition practices to encourage the selection of greener alternatives when price, performance, and availability are comparable to conventional options.
Legal and Policy Foundations
Environmental Preferable Purchasing is rooted in a combination of laws, executive orders, and federal agency policies. Key foundational authorities include:
- Executive Order 13834 (Efficient Federal Operations) and previous orders such as EO 13693
- The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which mandates the purchase of recycled-content products
- The Pollution Prevention Act, promoting source reduction and less hazardous products
- The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 23.7, which requires agencies to consider environmental factors in acquisition planning
- OMB and CEQ guidance, encouraging agencies to integrate EPP into acquisition strategies
Together, these mandates make EPP a required component of federal procurement, particularly for agencies with sustainability goals and environmental compliance responsibilities.
Key Principles of EPP
While implementation may vary across agencies and procurement categories, Environmental Preferable Purchasing is guided by several consistent principles:
- Life cycle perspective: Evaluating a product’s total environmental impact, not just initial cost or material content.
- Multi-attribute criteria: Considering energy efficiency, recyclability, renewable materials, toxicity, water use, and emissions.
- Preference for third-party standards: Leveraging reputable ecolabels and certifications to validate environmental claims.
- Market availability: Balancing environmental preference with commercial availability and mission suitability.
- Performance equivalency: Ensuring green products meet operational requirements.
The goal is not to compromise performance, but to enhance it by selecting options with lower ecological footprints.
Common Product and Service Categories in EPP
Environmental Preferable Purchasing spans a broad range of product and service categories commonly used in federal operations. Examples include:
- Office supplies: Recycled paper, non-toxic inks, remanufactured toner cartridges
- Information technology: ENERGY STAR certified computers, monitors, and servers
- Cleaning products: Biodegradable, non-corrosive, and low-VOC formulations
- Furniture and interiors: FSC-certified wood, low-emitting adhesives and finishes
- Fleet and fuel: Alternative fuel vehicles, low-emission engines, and renewable fuels
- Building materials: Products meeting LEED criteria, low-VOC paints, insulation from recycled content
- Landscaping and grounds: Native plants, organic soil amendments, water-efficient irrigation systems
By applying EPP criteria consistently across acquisitions, agencies can reduce environmental harm while maintaining operational readiness.
Tools and Resources for EPP Implementation
Federal agencies and contractors can access a number of tools to help incorporate environmental criteria into their purchasing processes:
- EPA’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program: Offers guidance documents, standards, and product category evaluations.
- GSA Advantage! Environmental Aisle: Features environmentally designated products across multiple GSA Schedules.
- ENERGY STAR and EPEAT databases: Identify certified energy-efficient and environmentally responsible electronics.
- BioPreferred Catalog: Maintained by the USDA, listing biobased products that meet federal purchasing mandates.
- FedCenter.gov and Sustainable Facilities Tool (SFTool): Provide resources, checklists, and training for green purchasing.
Using these tools helps procurement professionals ensure compliance and align their acquisitions with sustainability goals.
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Requirements
The FAR requires federal agencies to incorporate environmental considerations into the acquisition process. FAR Subpart 23.7 specifically mandates that:
- Agencies must implement procedures to identify and acquire environmentally preferable products and services.
- Acquisition plans should include a discussion of environmental and energy objectives.
- Solicitations must specify when environmental standards apply.
- Contracting officers should include relevant FAR clauses in solicitations and contracts.
Agencies are also required to track and report on the procurement of designated green products as part of broader sustainability performance metrics.
Benefits of Environmental Preferable Purchasing
EPP contributes to multiple federal goals and offers a wide range of benefits, including:
- Reduced environmental impact: Lower greenhouse gas emissions, less pollution, and minimized resource extraction.
- Healthier workplaces: Reduced exposure to toxic chemicals and better indoor air quality.
- Cost savings: Energy-efficient and durable products often yield long-term savings despite higher upfront costs.
- Market transformation: Encourages suppliers to develop and offer more sustainable product lines.
- Regulatory compliance: Helps agencies meet statutory mandates and executive order targets.
EPP also supports broader national initiatives around climate action, environmental justice, and sustainable economic growth.
Challenges in EPP Implementation
Despite policy mandates and available tools, implementing Environmental Preferable Purchasing across the federal enterprise presents some challenges:
- Lack of awareness or training among procurement personnel and end users
- Perception of higher cost, even when life-cycle costs are favourable
- Limited availability or market maturity of some sustainable products
- Inconsistent application of environmental criteria in solicitation documents
- Vendor misrepresentation or greenwashing, requiring due diligence and reliance on validated certifications
To address these challenges, agencies must invest in staff education, improve data tracking, and integrate sustainability into acquisition culture.
Role of Vendors and Contractors
Vendors and contractors seeking to compete for federal business must understand how EPP affects sourcing and contract compliance. Best practices include:
- Offering products that meet EPA-recommended or third-party environmental standards
- Clearly identifying green attributes in proposals and product listings
- Maintaining documentation to support environmental claims
- Participating in programs like ENERGY STAR, EPEAT, and BioPreferred
- Staying informed on agency-specific sustainability priorities and procurement preferences
Contractors who align with EPP goals are more likely to be seen as responsible partners in sustainable government operations.
Best Practices for Agencies
To maximise the impact of Environmental Preferable Purchasing, agencies should:
- Incorporate EPP into acquisition planning and requirement development
- Include environmental evaluation factors in source selection criteria
- Use standardised environmental clauses and language in solicitations
- Train acquisition staff on identifying and verifying green products
- Collaborate with internal sustainability and facilities teams
These practices institutionalise EPP and improve consistency across procurement actions.
Conclusion: Why Environmental Preferable Purchasing Matters
Environmental Preferable Purchasing is a strategic procurement approach that supports federal missions while advancing environmental and public health goals. By selecting products and services with lower environmental impacts, agencies not only comply with policy mandates but also lead by example in responsible resource stewardship.
As sustainability becomes an increasingly central objective in government operations, EPP offers a practical, effective framework for integrating green principles into everyday procurement decisions. For both buyers and vendors, understanding and embracing EPP is essential to participating in the future of federal acquisition.
