The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) released an update to its federal purchasing search tool that highlights the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) prohibitions and plastic waste reduction requirements in Green Seal’s product standards. The newly revised tool allows users to identify which ecolabel standards contain PFAS and plastic reduction criteria, making it easier for federal purchasers to meet sustainability goals and mandates.

EPA’s Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing give preference to multi-attribute standards and ecolabels and are intended to help federal purchasers identify and procure environmentally sustainable products and services. The newest revisions to the Recommendations’ search tool allow users to view the standards by how they address PFAS and plastic in addition to their product category.

This update showcases Green Seal’s commitment to taking a leadership position on addressing hazardous “forever chemicals.” Green Seal’s standards have long prohibited long-chain PFAS formally classified as hazardous. However, a growing body of evidence indicates that short-chain PFAS have the same harmful health and environmental effects as the legacy PFAS they are replacing. Green Seal updated its standards for cleaning and personal care products in 2022 to prohibit all approximately 12,000 chemicals in this class and is currently updating the PFAS prohibition in its standards for paints and coatings, floor care products, adhesives, and degreasers.

RELATED: What are “forever chemicals” and how do they affect your building?

For detailed information on EPA’s Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing, visit epa.gov/greenerproducts/recommendations-specifications-standards-and-ecolabels-federal-purchasing.