Choosing Clean: What EPA Safer Choice and USDA BioPreferred Mean for Your Products
- April 22, 2025
- Resources
In an increasingly eco-conscious marketplace, brands are under more scrutiny than ever to deliver products that are both effective and environmentally responsible. For contract manufacturers like U.S. Continental, aligning with federal product safety programs such as EPA Safer Choice and USDA BioPreferred isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s a strategic decision that enhances trust, compliance, and long-term sustainability.
Understanding EPA Safer Choice
The EPA Safer Choice label signifies that a product’s ingredients meet strict human and environmental health criteria. Every chemical component is evaluated through EPA’s rigorous scientific review to ensure it meets the program’s safety standards without compromising performance.
Benefits of Safer Choice Certification:
- Trusted Consumer Recognition: The label resonates with health- and sustainability-conscious shoppers, increasing product credibility and marketability.
- Ingredient Transparency: It requires full ingredient disclosure, encouraging trust from retailers and consumers alike.
- Regulatory Preparedness: Products already aligned with Safer Choice criteria are more likely to comply with future chemical regulations, reducing compliance risks.
- Retailer Acceptance: Major retailers such as Walmart and Target often prefer Safer Choice certified products, simplifying supply chain acceptance.
Understanding USDA BioPreferred
The USDA BioPreferred Program promotes the sourcing and use of biobased materials derived from plants and other renewable resources as part of the raw materials for the finished product. It includes both a product certification and a mandatory federal purchasing initiative.
Benefits of BioPreferred Certification:
- Federal Market Access: USDA BioPreferred certification increases product visibility and credibility in the federal marketplace. Products that meet USDA biobased content requirements in designated product categories may qualify for mandatory federal agency purchasing.
- Carbon Reduction: Biobased products reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to a lower carbon footprint, aligning with corporate sustainability goals.
- Competitive Differentiation: As greenwashing becomes more prevalent, having a USDA-backed certification signals authenticity in sustainability claims.
- Support for U.S. Agriculture: Promotes the use of renewable agricultural materials, often sourced domestically, thereby supporting U.S. farmers, rural economies, and sustainable supply chains.
U.S. Continental’s Commitment to Certified Sustainability
At U.S. Continental, certifications like Safer Choice and BioPreferred aren’t just labels—they’re embedded into our R&D and manufacturing processes, guiding how we formulate and produce each product. Our in-house R&D team strives to create high-performance, eco-conscious solutions free from PFAS and other harmful substances.
When required, we ensure that products meet the criteria for the Safer Choice and BioPreferred programs, supporting our customers’ efforts to launch with confidence.
From large-scale national brands to niche regional lines, we provide:
- Turnkey support for certified formulas
- Custom packaging with PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) options
- Internal quality assurance aligned with EPA and USDA standards
Why It Matters
In today’s regulatory landscape, sustainability isn’t just a preference, it’s a competitive advantage. EPA Safer Choice and USDA BioPreferred certifications help brands navigate growing environmental concerns while meeting customer expectations for transparency and performance.
By choosing a partner like U.S. Continental—who understands and implements these certification processes from concept to completion—brands can confidently position their products as both safe and sustainable.