§ 2902.8 - Determining life cycle costs, environmental and health benefits, and performance.

(a) Providing information on life cycle costs and environmental and health benefits. When requested by Federal agencies, manufacturers and vendors must provide information on life cycle costs and environmental and health benefits based on tests using either of two analytical approaches: The BEES analytical tool along with the qualifications of the independent testing entity that performed the tests; or either a third-party or an in-house conducted analysis using the ASTM standard for evaluating and reporting on environmental performance of biobased products D7075. Both BEES and the ASTM standard are in accordance with ISO standards, are focused on testing of biobased products, and will provide the life cycle assessment and life cycle cost information Federal agencies might require. As with biobased content, test data using the above analytical methods need not be brand-name specific.

(b) Performance test information. In assessing performance of qualifying biobased products, USDA requires that procuring agencies rely on results of performance tests using applicable ASTM, ISO, Federal or military specifications, or other similarly authoritative industry test standards. Such testing must be conducted by an ASTM/ISO compliant laboratory. The procuring official will decide whether performance data must be brand-name specific in the case of products that are essentially of the same formulation.

(c) Biodegradability information. If biodegradability is claimed by the manufacturer of a qualifying biobased product as a characteristic of that product, USDA requires that, if requested by procuring agencies, these claims be verified using the appropriate, product-specific ASTM biodegradability standard(s). Such testing must be conducted by an ASTM/ISO-compliant laboratory. The procuring official will decide whether biodegradability data must be brand-name specific in the case of products that are essentially of the same formulation. ASTM biodegradability standards include:

(1) D5338“Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions”;

(2) D5864“Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Aquatic Biodegradation of Lubricants or Their Components”;

(3) D6006“Standard Guide for Assessing Biodegradability of Hydraulic Fluids”;

(4) D6400“Standard Specification for Compostable Plastics” and the standards cited therein;

(5) D6139“Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Aquatic Biodegradation of Lubricants or Their Components Using the Gledhill Shake Flask”;

(6) D6868“Standard Specification for Biodegradable Plastics Used as Coatings on Paper and Other Compostable Substrates”; and

(7) D7081“Standard Specification for Non-Floating Biodegradable Plastics in the Marine Environment.”