EPA’s Updated Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines: A Win for Federal Sustainability Goals, but Challenges Loom

On 5 December 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of finalized updates to its Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing, designed to assist federal government purchasers and other buyers in identifying sustainable products and services.

These updates stem from the agency’s efforts to align federal purchasing with environmental and health priorities and directly support President Joe Biden’s Executive Order 14057 on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability (Federal Sustainability Plan). Additionally, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 23.1 requires federal agencies to prioritize purchasing products and services meeting these recommendations.

Industry reactions have been mixed. Some manufacturers view the updates as an opportunity to align with federal sustainability goals. For instance, First Solar and Hanwha Qcells registered their solar panels under the EPEAT standard, anticipating increased demand and revenue from federal projects. Kelly Weger, Senior Director of Sustainability at Qcells, remarked, “This now means our USA assembled and sustainably made solar products will help the federal government achieve its ambitious climate goals.”

Conversely, many industry representatives have expressed concerns about the feasibility of meeting the new criteria, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The EPA has addressed these apprehensions by emphasizing the flexibility of the framework and offering resources to assist businesses in transitioning to sustainable practices.