Legal Requirements Lists federal requirements related to the purchase of this item, including applicable Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requirements

• FAR Subpart 23.7 Contracting for Environmentally Preferable Products and Services
• FAR Subpart 23.4 Use of Recovered Materials and Biobased Products
• FAR Subpart 23.1 Sustainable Acquisition Policy

Guiding Principles

Contributes to meeting The Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings

• 4 - Enhance the Indoor Environment
• 5 - Reduce the Environmental Impact of Materials

Additional Guidance

Federal Programs

According to BioPreferred, composite panels have the following product types and can be described as:

• Acoustical - Engineered products designed for use as structural and sound deadening material suitable for office partitions and doors.
• Countertops-A solid work surface found in residential, commercial or industrial setting. Products may be used in but not limited to kitchens or other food preparation areas, bathrooms or lavatories, and workrooms in general
• Interior Panels - Engineered products designed specifically for interior applications and providing a surface that is impact-, scratch-, and wear-resistant and that does not absorb or retain moisture.
• Plastic Lumber - Engineered products suitable for non-structural outdoor needs such as exterior signs, trash can holders, and dimensional letters.
• Structural Interior Panels - Engineered products designed for use in structural construction applications, including cabinetry, casework, paneling, and decorative panels.
• Structural Wall Panels - Engineered products designed for use in structural walls, curtain walls, floors and flat roofs in commercial buildings.

BioPreferred maintains an electronic product catalog listing products that either (1) are eligible for preferred federal procurement, or (2) have earned the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Recommended Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels

Executive Order (EO) 14057, Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability, (08 DEC 2021), requires federal agencies to purchase sustainable products and services certified to the standards/ecolabels included in the Recommendations to the maximum extent practicable.

Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings

For products such as composite panels, the applicable Guiding Principle for High Performance and Sustainable Buildings depends on what characteristics are included in the product.  If it has biobased content it would be GP 5, if it is low-emitting it would be GP 4, if it's both, it would be included in both. "Low emitting" would be any product that has a low emissions or low VOC standard.

Related Workspaces Head to the explore section of SFTool to view related workspaces

• Break/Pantry
• Cafeteria
• Computer/LAN room
• Enclosed Conference
• Laboratory
• Open Office Area
• Open Teaming Space
• Private Office
• Reception/Lobby
• Support Area
• Tenant Corridor
• Tenant Restroom