The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program (EPP) has recognized the Certified Environmental Facts multi-attribute label, developed by GreenCircle Certified LLC. EPP references specifications, standards and ecolabels to help federal agency purchasers identify and specify environmentally sustainable products and services.
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Sample GreenCircle label for carpet. |
EPA developed program guidelines through a stakeholder consensus process, ensuring a transparent, reliable approach. Recommendations leverage existing private-sector standards and ecolabels to encourage and simplify the process of sustainable purchasing in the U.S. government, while developing a framework to recognize environmental performance and address the key environmental or health impacts within construction, landscaping and four other product categories.
An internationally recognized, third-party certification entity providing independent verification of sustainability claims, GreenCircle is ISO 17065 compliant, following industry requirements for organizations certifying products, processes, and services. GreenCircle certification is additionally recognized by the United States Green Building Council, Home Innovation Research Labs and National Green Building Standard. GreenCircle’s CEF label enables purchasers to easily review and understand product sustainability attributes, such as carbon footprint, recycled content, material ingredients, and manufacturing attributes.
“When purchasers are accurately informed and educated, they are empowered to make the best choices. Purchasers have a big role in selecting sustainable products as well as encouraging continuous improvement with manufacturers to provide more sustainable products. We encourage all procurement teams to utilize the recommendations set by the EPA when making purchasing decisions,” says GreenCircle Certified co-founder and Certification Officer Tad Radzinski.
The EPA guidelines encourage continuous improvement of not only the recommended standards and ecolabels, but the products and services addressed. Federal purchasers can visit General Services Administration’s Green Procurement Compilation for all applicable green purchasing requirements, including EPA’s recommendations.