This document summarizes a USDA listening session on the BioPreferred program. It discusses drivers for biobased chemicals like the need for sustainable and domestically-produced products. The BioPreferred program aims to stimulate rural economic development and US jobs through federal procurement preferences and voluntary biobased product labeling. The 2014 farm bill expanded the program to cover more product categories and intermediate ingredients, and increased mandatory funding. The USDA plans to implement the farm bill changes through new rulemaking and an economic impact study.

1. USDA BioPreferred Program
2014 Farm Bill Listening Session
March 14, 2014
Ron Buckhalt, Manager, BioPreferred Program
Jeff Goodman, Chief Environmental Management Division

2. Drivers for Biobased Chemicals
• Need for an environmentally,
economically, and socially
sustainable economy
• Hedge against the price volatility
and supply disruptions of
petroleum-based products
• Demand for safer materials that
are regulatory compliant
• Consumer desire for more
sustainable products and
reduction in fossil fuel use

3. Drivers for Biobased Chemicals
• New technology development
that have reduced the cost to
produce biobased chemicals
• Materials shortages resulting from
shifts in the chemical
manufacturing industry (i.e.,
increases in natural gas
production)
• Need to stimulate regional and
rural development and U.S. jobs

4. Today’s Legislative Definition
of a Biobased Product 2002 Farm Bill
• A product composed of
recent biological
components
• Agricultural, forestry, and
marine materials

5. Federal Interest in Biobased Products
• Energy Security
• Environmental Security
• Economic Security
• Food Security
The bottom line…sustainability is important, but a healthy,
vibrant rural America is also important. BioPreferred can
help with both. Tom Vilsak – Secretary of Agriculture

6. Two Components
of BioPreferred Program
Federal Procurement Preference
Voluntary Labeling

7. Federal Procurement Preference
currently includes:
• 97 product categories
• Representing more than 10,000
products
• Product categories continue to be
added

8. Examples
Product Category
Minimum
Biobased Content
Water Tank Coatings 59%
Metal Cleaners and Corrosive
Removers
71%
Paint Removers 41%
Plastic Lumber Composite Panels 23%
Structural Wall Composite Panels 94%
Slide Way Lubricants 71%

9. What is the voluntary
labeling program?

10. The USDA Certified Biobased Label
• Launched February 2011
• Serve as an unbiased
indicator of biobased content
• Independent third party
certification partnership with
ASTM International

11. Label Activity
Category Numbers
Label Applications
(from nearly 600
companies)
~2500
Certified Products ~1600
Applications in
Process ~800

12. 2014 Major Farm Bill
Amendments to Biobased Markets Program
• Begin to designate intermediate ingredients or feedstocks and
assembled and finished biobased products within one year
• Promote biobased products, including forest products, that
apply an innovative approach to any of the steps in the
production process regardless of the date of entry into the
marketplace
• Conduct economic impact study of the biobased products
industry within one year
• $3 million per year mandatory funding (an increase from $2
million)

13. Plan to Implement Amendments
• First two amendments will likely require promulgation of
regulations
• Final program guidelines rule currently in clearance will
provide a process for designating intermediate ingredients or
feedstocks and assembled and finished biobased products
– Finalizes rule proposed in 2012
– Expected promulgation date this September

14. Plan to Implement Amendments (cont’d.)
• Future amendments to program guidelines and labeling rules
will promote wood and other products produced innovatively
– Nature of regulations required currently under legal review
– Timing will depend on nature of regulations required
– Amendments to rules will also address minor legislative
changes to Farm Bill
• Planning just getting started on economic impact study
• Mandatory funding will allow labeling program to resume

15. Contact
Ron Buckhalt
Manager
USDA BioPreferred Program
202-205-4008
ronb.buckhalt@dm.usda.gov
Web site: www.biopreferred.gov
Twitter: @BioPreferred