How to Participate
This page explains how companies that manufacture or sell biobased products, either intermediate materials or finished products, may participate in the BioPreferred® Program.
There are many ways to participate in the BioPreferred Program! Biobased products that are not used as food, feed, or fuel are eligible to participate in the BioPreferred Program, provided they meet one or more Innovative Criteria defined by USDA and the product’s biobased content meets the applicable minimum. This document provides more information about biobased content and how it is determined. Products participating in the BioPreferred Program have their biobased content measured using ASTM D6866 as part of the certification process.
If you’re a manufacturer, you can get your biobased products certified so you can display the USDA Certified Biobased Product label.
You can also check to see if your products qualify for preferred federal purchasing. They must fall under one of the designated product categories. If you want to tap the federal market, we offer guidance on finding opportunities, aligning with federal contractors, and selling directly to government agencies.
Join the BioPreferred Program
If you manufacture or sell biobased products and they meet any of our Innovative Criteria, we encourage you to join the BioPreferred Program and get your biobased products or packaging certified!
USDA’s goal is to make it easy for consumers to identify biobased products, including those that qualify for preferred federal purchasing. The USDA Certified Biobased Product label provides useful information to consumers about the verified amount of biobased content contained within a product or its packaging. Consumers trust the USDA Certified Biobased Product label because the biobased content claims are third-party tested and verified.
USDA Certified Biobased Products are listed in the BioPreferred Program Catalog, which is designed to help buyers of all types identify biobased products. Federal buyers can conduct research into products appropriate for meeting their needs; consumers can find products suitable for home or office. Products cannot be purchased directly from the Catalog, but it provides important product details and company information.