BioPreferred is a Federally administered and run program. It was created by the 2002 Farm Bill to increase the purchase and use of biobased products. The 2008 Farm Bill (Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008) expanded the exiting preferred purchasing program for federal sector and reauthorized the voluntary labeling program for the broad scale consumer marketing of biobased products. This page provides information on the proposed labeling of BioPreferred items.

There are many steps that must be followed by the Federal Government, USDA, and the BioPreferred program before the commercial and Federal markets, as well as consumers will see a distinctive label on certain biobased products. Key milestones in the process and a draft timeline for reaching those milestones are below. Please note, the dates are approximate and may adjust depending on the approval process and any necessary changes that may be needed.

Proposed Labeling Rule/Regulation to OMB (the Office of Management and Budget) – Jan 2009
Proposed Labeling Rule published in the Federal Register – April 2009
Proposed Labeling Rule comment period ends – July 2009
BioPreferred and/or biobased label appears on products – early 2010

Specific and thorough information about the issues relevant to the labeling of biobased products is below. The questions asked and issues raised by industry stakeholders at the BioPreferred Public Meeting in summer 2008 are documented in the meeting transcript. Federal agencies, the Military, commercial buyers, consumers, and biobased industry members and interest groups can expect another public meeting to be held after the draft labeling rule is published. The next public meeting may take place in spring/summer 2009. Check back here for updates.

Labeling Rule Rule Public Meeting Presentation
(July 2008, 21 pages)

Labeling Rule Rule Public Meeting Transcript
(August 2008, 113 pages)