BIOBASED PRODUCTS

ASA Position

ASA urges USDA to:

1)      Implement the biobased label and the criteria for attaining the label to help distinguish true biobased products and help pull them into the market.

2)      Accelerate the implementation of the BioPreferred Procurement Program so that more products are approved as eligible.

3)      Dedicate funds through rural development programs to support biobased products marketing and industry development.

ASA encourages USDA to continue its efforts, including the labeling program and appropriate verification of claims, as well as other efforts to expand on the opportunities for the young U.S. biobased industry to grow and reach its full potential.

Background

Section 9002 of the 2002 Farm Bill created the federal biobased products preferred procurement program (BioPreferred^SM program). The program was updated in the 2008 Farm Bill. The program requires that each Federal agency give preference to the purchase of biobased products within items designated by the Secretary of Agriculture.

Section 9002 requires the Secretary of Agriculture to issue, and from time to time revise, guidelines that:

o       designate items for procurement preference which are or can be produced with biobased products,

o       establish recommended practices with respect to the procurement of biobased products and items containing such materials and with respect to certification by vendors of the percentage of biobased products, and

o       provide information as to the availability, relative price, performance, and environmental and public health benefits of such materials and items. And where appropriate shall recommend the level of biobased materials to be contained in the procured product.

Section 9002 also requires the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with EPA, to establish a voluntary program under which the USDA authorizes producers of biobased products to use the label “U.S.D.A. Certified Biobased Product.” The Secretary is required to issue criteria for determining which products may qualify to receive the label.

USDA has already identified 33 biobased product categories and estimates that they cover 2,741 individual products, ranging from carpet backing to absorbents and much more.