Green Purchasing
Green purchasing
Green purchasing, also known as sustainable acquisition or environmentally preferable purchasing, helps to reduce adverse impacts to the environment, conserve energy and other natural resources, improve public health and safety, and create new markets and jobs. Per the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2.101, sustainable products and services means those that are subject to and meet applicable statutory mandates and directives for purchasing, including:
- EPA Recycled Content Products (CPG)
- EPA ENERGY STAR Energy Efficient Products
- DOE FEMP Energy Efficient Products
- DOE FEMP Low Standby Power Products
- USDA Biobased Products
- EPA Non-Ozone Depleting Products (SNAP)
- EPA WaterSense Water Efficient Products and Services
- EPA Safer Choice Products
- Products and services meeting EPA Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels
The green purchasing-related content in VA Directive 0057 constitutes VA’s Green Purchasing Program.
Helpful green purchasing resources
- GSA Green Procurement Compilation
- FedCenter.gov Acquisition
- VA Office of Acquisition and Logistics Greening the Acquisition Planning Process
- EPA Buying Green Online: Greening Government E-Procurement of Office Supplies
Sources of supply
Green Purchasing Mandates
It has been Federal policy for more than 40 years to use our purchasing power to help develop, demonstrate the viability of, and sustain markets for various kinds of green products. Federal requirements include statutes, regulations, and executive orders. Utilize the links below to learn more about these green purchasing mandates.
- Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
- FAR Part 2 — Definitions of Words and Terms
- FAR Part 7 — Acquisition Planning
- FAR Part 11 — Describing Agency Needs
- FAR Part 12 — Acquisition of Commercial Items and Commercial Services
- FAR Part 13 — Simplified Acquisition Procedures
- FAR Part 23 — Environment, Sustainable Acquisition, and Material Safety
- FAR Part 36 —Construction and Architect-Engineer Contracts
- FAR Part 37 — Service Contracting
- FAR Part 42 — Contract Administration and Audit Services
- FAR Part 52 — Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses
- VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Subpart 823.1
- VA Acquisition Manual (VAAM) Part M823Â ()VA Staff only
- Executive Order 13221—Energy Efficient Standby Power Devices
- Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) (Section 104)Â (PDF, 551 pages)
- Laws establishing biobased procurement requirements (see Section 9002 in each law):
- Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018
- Agricultural Act of 2014
- Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008
- Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (Section 6002)