Buying Green Guide

Logo to buying green with arrown in teh middle

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) is the procurement of goods and services that have a reduced impact on human health and the environment as compared to other goods and services serving the same purpose (Public Contract Code §12400-12404). In simple terms, EPP means “buying green.” The law also states that the Department of General Services (DGS) is to provide state agencies with information and assistance regarding EPP. In response, DGS developed a best practices manual - the Buying Green Guide. This guide provides information, tools, and tips for buyers and provides insight to suppliers on how the state views green products and businesses.

Buyers should strive to procure goods and services that protect human health and the environment. The state of California seeks suppliers who are environmentally responsible and that can offer products with environmental attributes. Suppliers can also demonstrate environmental responsibility by managing pollution, waste, water, and energy in their operations. This guide provides insight into how the state views green products and businesses.

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EPP Overview

Defining EPP Products and Services

EPP products and services reduce impacts when possible on human health and the environment in contrast to competing goods fulfilling similar functions. This comparison considers various stages of a product’s lifecycle, including the sourcing of raw materials, manufacturing process, packaging, distribution, reuse, operation, maintenance, and eventual disposal.

Procuring EPP Products and Services

The state demonstrates its commitment to environmentally preferable procurement practices by integrating EPP Specifications into our solicitations. EPP Specifications are technical and administrative requirements that define the desired environmental attributes of a product or service. The law provides the foundation for developing EPP Specifications. They aim to promote positive environmental attributes such as energy efficiency, conservation of natural resources, waste reduction, and decreased toxicity.

Verifying EPP Products and Services

During the bid evaluation process, EPP Procurement Engineers verify that products meet the minimum EPP Specifications incorporated in the solicitation. Compliance may be verified through qualified and available means that are applicable to that product specification, such as, but not limited to third-party certifications, certification databases, and publicly available supporting documentation.

Finding EPP Products and Services Contracts

The Buying Green Guide is the gateway to the state’s EPP contracts. The sidebar menu leads state agency buyers to specific products that may be purchased through the state's EPP contracts. Upon selection of a product, you’ll contracts containing the green products bid specifications, laws, regulations, policies, certifications and standards used to green the contract. You’ll also find buying tips, resources and references relevant to that specific product, to further assist your contract purchase.

Finding a List of Statewide Contracts that are Green

The State Contract Index List is a list of State of California contracts with information, such as if the contract is mandatory for state agencies, open for local governments, is EPP , and more. The hyperlink in the “Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Compliant” column goes directly to the commodity page on the Buying Green Guide so you can identify the contract’s green characteristics.

Selling your Product or Service to the State

EPP is the procurement of goods and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing goods or services that serve the same purpose. The EPP program provides input to our state agency customers during the procurement process but does not generate the initial need.

To learn more, visit how to do business with the state of California for additional information and resources.

Listing your Product or Service on the Buying Green Guide

The EPP program does not endorse or maintain a list of EPP products or services. As a means of listing your environmentally preferable product or service seek the qualification of a third-party environmental certification.

EPP Training

The California Procurement and Contracting Academy (CalPCA) has developed training modules to help requisitioners, buyers, supervisors and managers buy green with ease. These training programs assist procurement officials by introducing the criteria that can be used while purchasing goods and services to increase EPP within a department.

DGS EPP Recommended Eco-labels

The Department of General Services, Procurement Division, EPP Program created the DGS EPP Recommended Eco-labels List, aiming to support state departments in their procurement of environmentally preferable commodities. This comprehensive list outlines relevant certifications for each commodity, providing guidance on incorporating these certifications into procurement processes. By utilizing these eco-labels, state departments can ensure that their procurement practices align with sustainability principles, promoting environmentally friendly purchasing and contributing to the achievement of the state's EPP goals.

Fi$cal Job Aids

DGS has developed job aids to help simplify buying green. The EPP and FI$Cal job aids together comprise a comprehensive “how-to” manual that provides detailed instructions on how to apply EPP to purchases and consists of the following documents:

Recycled Content Verification Best Practices

The State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign (SABRC) program relies on suppliers self-certification of recycled content percentages for products bid and sold to the state. Procurement staff are encouraged to use the following additional verification steps to increase the validity of reported recycled content products bid or sold to the state.

Request third-party certifications, and/or ecolabels that include recycled content verification, such as:

UL 2809, Environmental Claim Validation Procedure (ECVP) for Recycled Content.
Green Seal standards that require certified post-consumer material (for example Green Seal GS-60, Plastic Trash Bags and Can Liners).
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) – FSC Recycled: Products that bear this label have been verified as being made from 100% recycled content (either post-consumer or pre-consumer reclaimed materials).
Forest Stewardship Council – FSC MIX: Products that bear this label are made using a mixture of materials from FSC-certified forests, recycled materials, and/or FSC controlled wood.
Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) Global Services - Recycled Content Certification
SCS Global Services - Recycled Content Standard for Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Review product documentation: Check product specifications, descriptions, or documentation provided by the manufacturer or seller. Some companies may provide detailed information about the recycled content percentage and the source of recycled materials used in the product.
Request product labels: Some product labels or markings on the product packaging may indicate the percentage of recycled content. Many manufacturers voluntarily disclose this information to inform consumers about the environmental attributes of their products.

By following these steps, you can verify the recycled content percentage of products for purchasing decisions.