Standardization and Environmentally Preferable Purchasing.

Standardization and Environmentally

Preferable Purchasing

Standards Developing Organizations and Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Slide 2

Standardization and Environmentally Preferable Purchasing

An Opportunity for Standards Developing Organizations

Standards Developers and Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Slide 3

Overview

There is a significant demand, as initiated by government action, for environmentally preferable products

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) is an innovative way to incorporate into purchasing decisions the consideration of a product’s impact on the environment

There are many benefits available to standards developing organizations (SDOs) and corporations that work to meet the demand for EPP


Summary of Topics Definition and Background: Environmentally Preferable Purchasing

(EPP)

Standardization and the Environment: A cooperative effort of the public and private sectors Case Study – U.S. Department of Defense

Incentives and Methodology: Incorporating life-cycle and environmental elements in voluntary standards

Supporting Documentation Information Resources (databases, guidelines, etc.) Pilot Programs


Definition and Background

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)


Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) EPP is a process for selecting “products or services that have a lesser or

reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose.”

- Executive Order 13101

EPP is a federal-wide program that encourages and assists executive agencies in the purchasing of environmentally preferable products and services.

For more information online:

http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp/


Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)(continued)

The heads of each executive agency have been ordered to “incorporate waste prevention and recycling in the agency’s daily operations and work to increase and expand markets for recovered materials through greater Federal Government preference and demand for such products.”

- EO 13101, Sec. 101

“When developing, reviewing, or revising … standards, executive agencies shall consider recovered materials and any environmentally preferable purchasing criteria developed by the EPA.”

- EO 13101, Sec. 501


Origins of EPP EO 12873 (1993)

Federal Acquisition, Recycling and Waste Prevention(superceded by EO 13101-1998)

EPA Proposed Guidance on the Acquisition of Environmentally Preferable Products and Services (1995)

EO 13101 (1998) Greening the Government Through Waste Prevention, Recycling and Federal Acquisition

EPA and the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive policy statement (1998)

EPA Final Guidance on Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (1999)

EO 13148 (2000)

Greening the Government Through Leadership in Environmental Management

Federal Acquisition Regulation (Parts 7, 10, 11, 12, 15, 23, 36, 42, 52)


Impact of EPP

The Federal Government purchases more than $200 billion worth of products and

services annually provides an additional $240 billion to grantees that in turn

buy products and services

State and Local governments Trickle-down effect: Many state and local agencies base their

purchasing practices on the practices of the Federal Government


Standardization and the Environment

A cooperative effort of the public and private sectors


Standardization and EPP Standardization and EPP can go hand-in-hand

Example: The ISO 14000 series of standards on Environmental Management Systems

A family of generic environmental management system standards that provides a model for organizations to set up and operate a system for consistently improving the

environment manage an organization’s activities in order to minimize

harmful effects on the environment


Standardization and EPP (continued)

In accordance with principles of the U.S. National Standards Strategy (NSS) and those endorsed by the World Trade Organization (WTO) Standards will be relevant, responsive to real world needs, and

performance-based Decisions will be reached through consensus of all affected interests

(including harmonization so as to meet global regulatory requirements)

Balance will be maintained among competing interests Processes will be transparent, flexible, timely and coherent All views will be considered and appeals are possible The traditional standards-setting bodies will work cooperatively Traditional and non-traditional standards-setting bodies will work

well together


Standardization and EPP A Public-Private Partnership All federal agencies are encouraged to utilize voluntary

consensus standards when possible

National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-113:1996) Directs federal participation in voluntary consensus standards

development activities OMB Circular A-119 is the accompanying guidance document

American National Standards exceed all requirements of NTTAA and OMB A-119 to be used as reference documents by federal agencies


Standardization and EPP Example: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Established in July 1970, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) mission is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment — air, water, and land — upon which life depends.

“The EPA recognizes the influence the United States, and in particular, the U.S. government, has on what products and services are produced due to this tremendous purchasing power. EPP works to leverage that influence to minimize environmental burdens.”

– www.epa.gov


U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Five Guiding Principles for Purchasing

1. EPP = Environment + Performance + Price

2. Pollution Prevention

3. Life Cycle Perspective / Multiple Attributes

4. Comparison of Environmental Impacts

5. Environmental Performance Information


Life Cycle Perspective

“The likely result [of understanding the impact of life cycles] will be world class performance: improved processes and products which drive down total costs while also eliminating waste. The result will also be reduced environmental impact of both product and byproducts throughout their entire life cycles.”

– www.epa.gov


Life Cycle Perspective (continued)

Life cycle assessment involves evaluating risk or damageto the environment or ecosystems outside of typical manufacturing limits over the entire life cycle of the product. This means that in each stage – from production, to retailing, to consumption – steps should be taken to reduce environmental damage from the creation or use of the product.


Federal Agencies PromotingEnvironmental and Life Cycle Standards Department of Agriculture

Bio-Based Products Program Department of Commerce

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Department of Defense (refer to case study on next slide) Department of Energy

Federal Energy Management Program Environmental Protection Agency

Green Purchasing Programs Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines Energy Star Program Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)


A Case StudyU.S. Department of Defense

61% reduction in the number of adhesive products*

80% reduction in the number of solvents and cleaners*

31% reduction in the number of paints and coatings*

Assurances that all selected paints satisfied applicable performance and environmental requirements

Research and development efforts to identify and test a biodegradable hydraulic fluid for submarines to replace the current toxic, mineral oil-based fluid

Redesigned nuclear reactor core eliminated the need for refueling and disposal of spent nuclear fuel while achieving a multi-million dollar cost avoidance

Life Cycle Considerations for “Virginia Class” Nuclear Submarine

*compared to the number required for previous submarine classes


Incentives and Methodology

Incorporating life-cycle and environmental elements in voluntary standards


Incentives for the Private Sector to Incorporate EPP Provisions Regulatory compliance (Federal, State, and Local) Demonstration of environmental awareness Reduced operating and maintenance costs Improved worker health and safety, reduced liabilities Helps achieve compliance with ISO 14000 EMS Competitive advantage Marketing assistance Reference in publications/databases

Suggestions on marketing environmentally preferable products

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/grnrule/guides980427.htm http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp/pubs/stgbrochure.pdf


Incentives for Standards Developersto Incorporate EPP Provisions EPP standards meet demand of federal agencies

Helps federal agencies comply with NTTAA Allow EPA referencing [of a standard] via Federal Register notices Increase adoption by other agencies looking to EPA for guidance Increase adoption and use by state and local governments Publicity/Reference in publications/databases

There are currently 523 standards in the EPP Database. This covers more than 650 product and service categories. The source of each standard is cited. (The EPP database is described in the Resources section of this presentation.)

Competitive Advantage(particularly if EPA adopts or references the resulting standard)

Increased use by companies utilizing ISO 14000 EMS


Incorporating EPP into Standards Development Activities

First priority is to be aware of the need for and advantages of environmental consideration within a standard

Consider existing voluntary consensus standards that relate to EPP (examples: Green Seal, ASTM, ISO 14000)

Consider State and Local laws related to environmental conservation

Consider EPA’s “Five Guiding Principles for Purchasing”


Incorporating EPP into Standards Development Activities (continued)

Questions to ask prior to initiating development

Will the new standard benefit from the incorporation of EPP principles? If yes, what are these benefits?

How will EPP be addressed? Is a relevant standard already in existence? Is there support from the affected interests? Broadly publicize the development project and invite ideas

from any source. Formulate idea(s). Bring together all interested parties in the consensus process.



The project must be inclusive of all interests

Convey the importance of standardization and the message that standards have a strong impact on EPP business

Enhance outreach to industry, government and consumers Attract the interest of top-ranking people and stimulate an

environmental dialogue among different categories of stakeholders

Engage high-level decision makers who are responsible for budgets and policies

Educate, inform and persuade these interests regarding the importance of environmental standardization activities



Participation Recruit EPA or other environmentally conscious participants

to advise standards developers Initiate dialogue with procurement experts to identify needs Identify and invite the potential users of the standards (i.e., the

target audience) to participate in development efforts Maximize harmonization and minimize duplication through

the use of liaison arrangements joint development formal agreements etc.



Development Clearly define the need for EPP principles in the standard

Consider adding appropriate text in the draft document’s scope, purpose or justification statements

Develop draft environmental and/or life cycle provisions Constantly communicate progress to users and

stakeholders

Identify how standards will affect the life-cycle of products



Development

Factors to MAXIMIZE Recycled content Durability Reusability Product disassembly potential Recyclability Energy conservation



Development

Factors to MINIMIZE Human health hazards

Toxicity Carcinogenicity

Ecological Hazards Aquatic, Avian and Terrestrial Toxicity

Product Safety Hazards Flammability Corrosivity


Supporting Documentation

Information Resources and GuidelinesEPP DatabasePilot Programs


Information Resources Northeast Recycling Council Environmentally Preferable

Products ListServ (EPPNET) http://www.nerc.org/eppnet.html

Office of Federal Environmental Executive’s Listserv http://www.ofee.gov/listserv.htm

“Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability” (BEES) http://www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/software/bees.html

“Design for the Environment” (DfE) Program http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/dfe/pubs/about/index.htm


Information Resources (continued)

General Services Administration Environmental Products Guide (GSA) GSA Advantage www.gsa.gov

Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Environmental Products Catalog EMALL (DLA Environmental Attribute Codes) http://www.emall.dla.mil Tel: 1-800-352-2852 (Defense General Supply Center)

Federal Trade Commission “Green Guides”


EPP Database Launched in 1999 in response to customer demand for a

one-stop-shop for environmental information on products and services purchased by the federal government

Links to standards and guidelines for environmentally preferable products and services

Contract language and specifications created and used by governments Vendor lists and product brands meeting the standard Other useful information on environmental preferability

EPP database

http://yosemite1.epa.gov/oppt/eppstand2.nsf


EPP Case Studies

Painting the Town Green: The Aberdeen Proving Ground Paint Pilot Project

Paving the Road to Success: The Department of Defense’s Parking Lot Repair and Maintenance Contract

For in-depth information on these case studies, or for more examples

http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp/pubs/doccase.htm


EPP Case Studies

Cleaning Products Pilot Project

Green Spending: A Case Study of Massachusetts’ Environmental Purchasing Program

For in-depth information on these case studies, or for more examples,

http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp/pubs/doccase.htm


Conclusions


Conclusion

EPA wants more standards that incorporate environmental and life-cycle elements that can be referenced and/or recommended as the basis for both public and private sector purchasing decisions

EPP considerations can be achieved by working within the framework of previously developed environmental standards, reviewing the success of pilot projects and working cooperatively with federal agencies to address an industry’s needs.


For more information

American National Standards InstituteATTN: Public Policy and Government Affairs

via e-mail: [email protected]

Standardization and Environmentally Preferable Purchasing.

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