BioPreferred^® program was created by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (2002 Farm Bill), and expanded by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill). The purpose is to increase the purchase and use of biobased products. The United States Department of Agriculture manages the program.

BioPreferred includes:

• a preferred procurement program for Federal agencies and their contractors,
• and a voluntary labeling program for the broad scale consumer marketing of biobased products.

Under the procurement program, BioPreferred designates categories of biobased products that are required for purchase by Federal agencies and their contractors. As a part of this process, the minimum biobased content is specified. Going forward, biobased intermediate ingredients and feedstocks will be included in the designation process.

Under the voluntary labeling program, biobased products that meet the BioPreferred program requirements carry a distinctive label for easier identification by the consumer.

BioPreferred^® Program Overview