EPP Program Legal Framework
In Massachusetts, environmentally preferable procurement (EPP) is more than a best practice — it’s embedded in both state procurement regulations and executive policy. EPP was first formally integrated into state procurement regulations in 1997 through 801 CMR 21.06(4)(e), which directs agencies to consider environmental impacts as part of the procurement process whenever practical and feasible.
Building on this foundation, Executive Order 515, issued in 2009, establishes a comprehensive statewide environmental purchasing policy and requires executive agencies to procure environmentally preferable products and services whenever they are available, effective, and offer the best value to the Commonwealth. The Executive Order also formalized specific sustainability priorities — including waste reduction, energy efficiency, recycled content, toxics reduction, and sustainable materials — within state purchasing practices.
More recent climate policies, including the Commonwealth’s decarbonization commitments under Executive Order 594 and the Green Communities Act, have further reinforced the role of environmentally preferable procurement in advancing statewide climate and sustainability goals.
In addition to these overarching requirements, several Commonwealth environmental policies apply to Operational Services Division (OSD) statewide contracts, including:
- ITD Enterprise Printer Cartridge Acquisition Policy (October 27, 2012)
- Massachusetts Appliance Energy and Water Efficiency Standards
- Executive Order 619 requirements related to bottled water reduction and sustainable water use
- Executive Order 403 requiring state agencies to implement integrated pest management programs
Together, these authorities establish a strong legal and policy framework for environmentally preferable procurement across Massachusetts state government.
EPP Program Guidance
To support the implementation of Executive Order 515, OSD has developed guidance documents and procurement tools to help Executive Departments and other public entities to integrate environmentally preferable purchasing practices into procurement activities, vendor evaluation, and reporting processes.
Vendor Contract Sustainability Assessments
- Climate and Environmental Practices (CEP) Form: Required for all OSD statewide contract bidders, this form collects information on vendors' sustainability, climate, and environmental practices to help OSD evaluate and advance environmentally responsible procurement. Awarded vendors are required to update the form annually. [Link to CEP Form section on the CSU homepage]
- Environmental Practices Form: A template that agencies may use to collect climate and environmental information from bidders, helping the Commonwealth better understand supplier sustainability practices and support environmentally responsible purchasing decisions.
- Guidance for EPP Reporting in the VRM explains how to report environmentally preferable purchases in the Vendor Reporting Management (VRM) system.
Model Sustainable Purchasing Policies
- MassDEP Model Sustainable Purchasing Policy
- Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council: SPLC Model Policy
- USDN and RPN - The Buck Starts Here: Sustainable Procurement Playbook for Cities - and see their Sample policy
- Stop Waste's Sustainable Purchasing Policy Template
- Ecology Centers Sustainable Procurement Roadmap