The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is implementing changes to the Biobased Markets Program, also known as the BioPreferred Program, following updates from the 2018 Farm Bill. The updated rule merges two previous sets of guidelines into one, streamlining the regulatory process for designating and labeling biobased products that qualify for federal procurement preferences. This final rule aims to make it easier for these products to qualify for federal use and merges federal guidelines for procurement and labeling into a single, simplified regulation effective January 8, 2025.
Simple Explanation
The USDA is making new rules that bring together two sets of guidelines into one, to help companies make more products from plants and other natural materials for the government to buy. These changes should make it easier to follow the rules starting next January.