Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)

Learn how Environmentally Preferable Purchasing helps your department and the environment.

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) is defined as the procurement of items that have minimized or reduced environmental effects. 

The University of California’s Sustainable Procurement Guidelines lay out the minimum sustainability requirements for products and services purchased by the University of California and identify those product attributes that are strongly preferred, if not mandatory, in accordance with the Sustainable Procurement Policy and Procedure Sections of the UC Sustainable Practices Policy.

Among other updated requirements around packaging materials, marketing claims, and e-commerce content management, this new Policy sets the following targets:

• 100% compliance with UC Required Level Green Spend criteria, within three (3) fiscal years
• 25% spend with products meeting UC Preferred Level Green criteria, per product category, within three (3) fiscal years
• 25% spend with Economically and Socially Responsible (EaSR) suppliers, as a percentage of total addressable spend, within five (5) fiscal years
• 15% of total points utilized in competitive solicitation evaluations allotted to sustainability factors (exceptions allowed; beginning FY19-20).

UC Annual Green Spend Reporting
The University of California San Diego green spend data is required by UC policy from July 1 – June 30. The University of California is required to report annually on its sustainability performance in key product categories.

Check out the University of California Systemwide Procurement video that explains the Green Spend Reporting process.

Ecovadis
UC has partnered with Ecovadis, a supplier sustainability assessment tool, to ensure the suppliers we work with are dedicated to sustainable practices. While we strive to have our contracted suppliers maintain a score over 45, we will work with those are that still developing their sustainability initiatives and support their efforts towards a greener future.