The Biden-Harris Administration has unveiled a transformative strategy to amplify the acquisition of sustainable products and services by the U.S. Federal Government. A linchpin of the President’s Investing in America Agenda, this initiative aims to wield the government’s immense purchasing power to catalyze job creation, innovation, and robust supply chains.
At its core, the initiative hinges on the proposed Sustainable Products and Services procurement rule. This rule serves as a cornerstone of President Biden’s ambition to attain net-zero emissions from Federal procurement by 2050. By refurbishing prevailing sustainable purchasing standards and spotlighting American-made sustainable products and services, the administration seeks to underscore its dedication to both sustainability and domestic industries.
Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, highlighted the importance of strategic investment, stating, “When we spend American taxpayers’ dollars, we should be investing in America, reducing costs, and building a more sustainable future. Our proposed rule will boost Federal agency purchases of EPA-recommended green products and services while creating well-paying jobs and investing in American manufacturing.”
Christine Harada, Senior Advisor at the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, noted the U.S. Government’s longstanding commitment to driving innovation and job growth through sustainable purchasing. She emphasized the recent recognition from the United Nations Environment Programme, which hailed the U.S. Government’s sustainable public procurement policies as a global benchmark.
The proposed rule, an outcome of coordinated efforts via the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council, bolsters existing sustainable product requirements. It mandates Federal buyers to opt for sustainable products and services to the maximum extent feasible. The rule directs agencies to follow EPA’s Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing, encompassing over 40 standards and labels like ENERGY STAR, Safer Choice, and WaterSense programs.
Beyond financial gains, the proposed rule underscores public health. It steers agencies away from products containing harmful perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) chemicals, often known as “forever chemicals.”
EPA Administrator Michael Regan underscored the significance of such choices, stating, “By catalyzing federal sustainable procurement, consumers benefit from goods and services that are safer for both their families and our planet. This proposed rule builds on other bold efforts by the Biden-Harris Administration to prioritize responsible, sustainable trade and reduce pollution at its source.”
In tandem with this initiative, EPA aims to expand its Federal Purchasing Recommendations. New product categories, including healthcare, laboratories, professional services, food service ware, and uniforms and clothing, are under consideration. This expansion seeks to equip Federal buyers to make informed choices that contribute to both environmental preservation and public health.
This groundbreaking step aligns with President Biden’s Federal Sustainability Plan, designed to achieve net-zero emissions from Federal procurement by 2050. With an annual expenditure of over $630 billion on products and services, sustainable