Recommendations: Frequent Questions
How Did EPA Develop the Recommendations?
The Recommendations are based on 1) an assessment per EPA’s Framework for Environmental Performance Standards and Ecolabels (formerly known as the Guidelines) via a Pilot that ran from March 2015 through December 2016, 2) analysis and use by other federal agencies, including from the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Priority Products List and the General Services Administration's (GSA's) Key Sustainable Products, and 3) alignment with current federal procurement and/or end of life management requirements related to use of specific private sector ecolabels or standards. Learn more about the process to develop the Framework and the 2015 - 2016 pilot to test the Framework.
Do the Recommendations Also Apply to Services Purchased by the Federal Government?
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 48 CFR 23.703(b)(1) directs agencies to "Maximize the utilization of environmentally preferable products and services (based on EPA-issued guidance).” The Recommendations serve as this guidance.
How Will EPA Update These Recommendations?
EPA will review the Recommendations periodically and update them based on assessments against the Framework or other federal agency analyses/assessments and/or federal procurement or end of life management requirements if/when they become available or are updated.
EPA is currently seeking applicants for potential inclusion into the Recommendations. EPA will perform assessments based on available resources and alignment with administration priorities. Learn more about how to apply.
Please send any suggestions on how to further improve the Recommendations or any other related comments to EPP@epa.gov.
What are the Authorities That Guide the Recommendations?
- Executive Order 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.
- Executive Order 14030 on Climate-Related Financial Risk.
- Executive Order 14057 on Catalyzing American Clean Energy Industries and Jobs through Federal Sustainability.
- The Federal Sustainability Plan.
- The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
- The Inflation Reduction Act.
- The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 (PPA), section 6604(b)(11), directs EPA to identify opportunities to use Federal Procurement to encourage pollution prevention.
- The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 48 CFR 23.703(b)(1) directs agencies to "Maximize the utilization of environmentally preferable products and services (based on EPA-issued guidance).” EPA’s Recommendations of Specifications, Standards and Ecolabels serve as this guidance.
- The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (Section 12d), and OMB Circular A-119: Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities direct federal agencies to use private sector standards and conformity assessment (e.g., certification) in procurement, except where inconsistent with law or otherwise impractical.