USDA Partners With ASTM To Enhance Biobased Labeling Program

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Certified Biobased labeling program, with the support of the American Society for Testing and Materials, provides a comprehensible definition of what a biobased product is and integrates an international recognized test standard. With more than 500 products already certified, the program comes with three key criteria: products must meet the definition of biobased as prescribed by the 2008 Farm Bill; they must include minimum levels of biobased content as defined by the USDA and confirmed by the ASTM D6866 test standard; and they provide alternatives to petroleum-based materials introduced after 1972.