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Database of Environmental Information for Products and Services
The EPP Database includes standards and guidelines for environmentally-preferable products and services, written by national government agencies and independent third-party organizations from around the world. To view the standards, search the database now.
There are currently 523 standards in the EPP Database, covering more than 650 product and service categories. The standards were developed by the following organizations:
Many of the sites listed on this page are not on the EPA Web site. Please see our disclaimer information. 
U.S. programs
- U.S. Department of Energy, Federal Energy Management Program. The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) is a customer-focused organization providing services to other federal agencies to assist them in reducing the cost of government through energy efficiency, water conservation, and the use of solar and other renewable energy.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines. The U.S. EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG) program promotes the use of materials recovered from solid waste by designating products that are or can be made with recovered materials and by recommending practices for buying these products.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Star Program. ENERGY STAR® is a voluntary partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. EPA, product manufacturers, local utilities, and retailers, promoting energy efficient products by labeling with the ENERGY STAR® logo and educating consumers about the benefits of energy efficiency.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Design for the Environment Program. The Design for the Environment (DfE) partnership program works with individual industry sectors to compare and improve the performance, human health, environmental risks, and costs of existing and alternative products, processes, and practices.
- Green Seal. Green Seal is an independent, nonprofit organization promoting the manufacture and sale of environmentally responsible consumer products by setting environmental standards and awarding a "Green Seal of Approval" to products that cause less harm to the environment than other similar products.
- McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) is a recognized authority on sustainable design of products and the materials used to create them. Utilizing a scientific assessment process known as the Cradle to Cradle Design Protocol, manufacturers submit products to be evaluated and, if necessary, redesigned. Successful products that pass rigorous audit by MBDC are granted Cradle to Cradle certification. The criteria utilized to evaluate products as well as those that have attained certification are listed on their Web site.
- Scientific Certification Systems. Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) is a neutral, third-party testing and certification organization evaluating a wide variety of food safety and environmental claims.
Programs in other countries
- Canada, Environmental Choice Program. Products and services certified by the Environmental Choice Program are proven to have less of an impact on the environment because of how they are manufactured, consumed or disposed of. Certification of products and services is based on compliance with stringent environmental criteria that are established in consultation with industry, environmental groups, and independent experts and are based on research into the life-cycle impacts of a product or service.
- European Union, Eco-Label Program. The European Union Eco-label Programme is a Europe-wide program that awards eco-labels to products with a reduced environmental impact, in an effort to contribute to sustainable development.
- Germany, Blue Angel Program. The Blue Angel program is a voluntary labeling program. For two decades, the Blue Angel label has signified products with positive environmental features.
- Japan, Eco Mark. The Japan Environment Association develops environmental standards and permits products to bear the Eco Mark symbol.
- Japan, Green Purchasing Network. The Green Purchasing Network was established in February 1996 to promote green purchasing among consumers, companies and governmental organizations in Japan.
- McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) is an internationally recognized authority on sustainable design of products and the materials used to create them, having certified products in Canada, France, and Belgium. Manufacturers and consumers from around the globe are encouraged to learn more about MBDC’s Cradle to Cradle Design Principles on their Web site.
- Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland, Nordic Swan Program. The Nordic environmental label is a neutral, independent label which guarantees a certain environmental standard. Only products which satisfy strict environmental requirements on the basis of objective assessments are allowed to display the environmental product label.
- Sweden, TCO Development. TCO Development provides certification and environmental labeling of office equipment designed to improve the work environment and the external environment.