USDA Proposes Consumer Label for Biobased Products
September 8, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed a voluntary labeling program for biobased consumer products, called the BioPreferred labeling program, which would apply to qualifying non-food goods made of biological ingredients such as renewable plant, animal, marine or forestry materials.
Manufacturers will be able to use the BioPreferred label, when finalized, to help customers identify their products as biobased. The designations would not include biofuels.
USDA identified more than 15,000 commercially available biobased products across approximately 200 categories - from cleaning products to construction materials.
According to the July 31, 2009 Federal Register posting, Voluntary Labeling Program for Biobased Products, although the preferred procurement program is specific to federal agencies, the voluntary labeling program is intended to encompass all individuals and organizations making purchasing decisions.
The USDA proposes two different versions of the label, including one for those biobased products designated for federal preferred procurement because they are within a designated item and another for those products that are not within a designated item.
The voluntary labeling program will also increase the amount of information available to manufacturers whose products may use biobased materials or products as a component of their finished products, or as part of their manufacturing process, according to the USDA.
Experts said this increased information will encourage these manufacturers to consider using and/or increasing the amount of biobased materials when designing or manufacturing their products.
For example, manufacturers of equipment that uses hydraulic fluids are encouraged to consider the use of biobased hydraulic fluids if available information indicates that the performance of these fluids meets or exceeds their requirements.
For more information, review the July 31, 2009 Federal Register posting.
The USDA also aims to increase the biological ingredients that go into making biofuel.
Specifically, the agency offered $20 million in financial incentives in July to help biorefineries heat or power their facilities with biomass rather than fossil fuels.
The USDA will also offer $30 million to eligible advanced biofuel producers to encourage the increased production and use of biofuels.
Applications for the biorefineries to replace fossil fuels are due Nov. 1, 2009.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).