What is the USDA BioPreferred® Program and How Does it Work?

By Ivanna Olvera, Beta Analytic, www.betalabservices.com

In recent years, climate change and environmental concerns have had an impact on consumer behavior and preference toward biobased products. Labels have become an important factor influencing consumers to make informed decisions. Consequently, brands are putting effort into replacing petrochemical materials in product formulations with renewable raw ingredients.

In addition, institutions and governmental agencies play a key role in this matter. For example, in recent years the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has engaged in promoting biobased products through the USDA BioPreferred® Program. As a result, the biobased industry has had a positive impact in the U.S. A recent report by USDA Rural Development states that this industry contributed $470 billion to the U.S. economy.¹

What does “Biobased” mean?

A biobased product is composed wholly or partly of biological materials, including renewable domestic agricultural materials, renewable chemicals, forestry and marine materials such as plants. Biobased goods provide an alternative to petroleum-derived products.²

Biobased products can be used in multiple areas and industries. A wide range of fossil-fuel-derived products can be replaced by biobased alternatives including apparel, fibers and fabrics, adhesives, personal care and hygiene products, wipes, diapers, household products, and more.

Why Choose Biobased Products?

Opting for biobased alternatives not only provides environmental benefits but also positively impacts the economy. Since they are derived from biomass, biobased products can help to decrease the use and dependence on petroleum. Reports estimate that biobased products displace around 300 million gallons of petroleum per year in the U.S., the equivalent of taking 200,000 cars off the road. Additionally, biobased products support the reduction of CO2 emissions in the environment, which helps control climate change.³

In terms of the economy, multiple sectors can benefit from the biobased industry. For the agricultural and transportation industries, biobased products represent new markets. Furthermore, it helps in the creation of new jobs and opportunities for entrepreneurs and promotes innovation. A report published by the USDA reveals that 4.6 million people were employed in the U.S. by the biobased industry in 2017.⁴

What is the BioPreferred® Program?

Under the Program, manufacturers have the opportunity to apply for certification and display the USDA Certified Biobased Product label on their products. The label shows the percentage of biobased content of a given product, which allows consumers to easily identify biobased products in the marketplace. Multiple industries can benefit from this Program since it includes 139 categories of products that can be certified.⁵

The BioPreferred® Program represents an effective marketing tool for manufacturers to support their biobased claims and demonstrate their commitment to quality to consumers. Additionally, a certification can distinguish a product from other brands on the market. Furthermore, consumers can be assured that a USDA Certified Biobased Product has completed the requirements established by the Program, which boosts trust and transparency.

How to Apply for the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label

Manufacturers of biobased products are eligible to apply for the certification. Applicants must meet or exceed the minimum biobased content established, which varies depending on the product category. For example, adhesives should have at least 24% biobased content; fibers and fabrics—25% biobased content; diapers—25%; baby wipes—80%; and wipes for use on the skin need to have 95% biobased content. If a product does not fit into one of the categories listed, it should have at least 25% biobased content to qualify.⁶

The biobased carbon content is determined in accordance with ASTM D6866, an analytical method based on carbon-14 testing. This method distinguishes carbon from biomass-derived sources versus fossil-based sources. A known amount of carbon-14 is present in biomass, whereas petrochemical-derived materials will not contain any. As a result, carbon-14 testing is an accurate method to quantify biobased carbon in any material. Test results are expressed as a percentage value ranging from 0%-100% biobased. A product entirely made from biomass sources is 100% biobased, whereas a product sourced solely from petroleum will have 0% biobased content.⁷

As a part of the requirements, biobased testing must be performed by a laboratory approved by the USDA BioPreferred® Program. Applicants must complete the first steps of the process and receive approval from the Program prior to the analysis. Accepted laboratories must be ISO 17025-accredited and should have the capability to conduct the testing in accordance with the ASTM D6866 standard, among other analytical requirements.⁸

Conclusion

Today, consumers are savvier than ever before. They are looking for biobased products that meet their expectations and are less harmful to the environment. Product certification and labeling play an important role in consumers’ decision-making process. At the same time, manufacturers, suppliers, and brands can validate their biobased claims and increase their profitability. In this sense, the USDA BioPreferred® Program represents an opportunity for manufacturers, suppliers, and brands to certify and label their products with the purpose of promoting and expanding the biobased industry. Consumers can be assured that products with the USDA Certified Biobased Product label have completed the requirements of the Program and have gone through third-party testing.


References
1.USDA Rural Development. “An Economic Impact Analysis of the U.S. Biobased Industry”. (July 2021) Accessed here: https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/usda_rd_rbcs-biobasedproductsreportinfographic.pdf
2.USDA BioPreferred. “Biobased Products”. Accessed here: https://www.biopreferred.gov/BioPreferred/faces/pages/BiobasedProducts.xhtml
3.USDA. “Fact Sheet: Overview of USDA’s BioPreferred Program” Accessed here: https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2016/02/18/fact-sheet-overview-usdas-biopreferred-program#:~:text=The%20USDA%20Certified%20Biobased%20Product%20label%20is%20designed%20to%20provide,amount%20of%20renewable%20biological%20ingredients.
4.USDA Rural Development. “An Economic Impact Analysis of the U.S. Biobased Industry” (2019). Accessed here: https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/usda_rd_economic_impact_analysis_us_biobased_products_industry.pdf
5.USDA BioPreferred. “What is the BioPreferred Program?” Accessed here: https://www.biopreferred.gov/BioPreferred/faces/pages/AboutBioPreferred.xhtml
6.USDA BioPreferred. “Product Categories” Accessed here: https://www.biopreferred.gov/BioPreferred/faces/pages/ProductCategories.xhtml
7.Beta Analytic. “ASTM D6866 for Biobased Content Testing”. (April 2022). Accessed here: https://www.betalabservices.com/biobased/astm-d6866.html
8.Beta Analytic. “USDA BioPreferred Program – Choosing a Qualified Lab for Biobased Content Testing” (June 2018). Accessed here: https://www.betalabservices.com/usda-application/