XYZ HEALTH SYSTEM
Sample EPP Policy
Subject:
Environmentally Preferable Procurement (EPP)
Dept:
Policy #
Original policy effective date:
Recommended by:
Approved by:
Date:
Date:
Date revised:
Date reviewed:
GOAL
XYZ Health System is committed to the principles of environmentally preferable procurement (EPP) in support of XYZ
Health System’s mission to improve the health of our patients, families, staff, and the communities we serve.
POLICY
Principles of environmentally preferable procurement (EPP) will be applied to all major procurement decisions. XYZ
Health System will evaluate the environmental impacts (e.g., waste, toxicity) of products and services in an effort to
select healthy, safe, environmentally preferable, and sustainable products and services. XYZ Health System staff
involved with product selection will communicate to the marketplace that XYZ Health System expects suppliers to
continuously develop price competitive products that conform to our EPP principles.
DEFINITION
“Environmentally preferable procurement” is the purchase of products and services whose environmental impacts
have been considered and found to be less damaging to the environment and human health when compared to
competing products and services. Further definitions can be found in Section V of the outline below.
PROCEDURE
I. Environmentally Preferable Procurement Principles
A. EPP principles are incorporated into deliberations on commonly used products, especially where more
environmentally friendly alternatives may be available.
1.
These principles also support improving the health of our members and communities by reducing
exposure to toxic substances.
B. EPP principles may not be the sole factor in determining product selection, but will be weighed with other
quality, service, and total cost components.
1.
Recognition of limited natural resources and landfill and increasing costs of disposal are also factored
into decisions.
C. When selecting individual/department purchases and contracted services, the following characteristics that
make an alternative preferable are considered:
1. Requires less product to use
2. Conserves resources (e.g., uses less water, energy, or virgin resources to produce or use, Energy Star
rating)
3. Eliminates/reduces waste (e.g., minimal packaging)
4. Reduces toxicity (e.g., non-DEHP, no chlorine)
5. Can be recycled
6. Offers functionality and effectiveness comparable to product current used
7. Measures well when total cost of ownership* is considered (e.g., unit cost, cost of waste disposal, etc.)
D. Specific environmental criteria are consistently used in making procurement decisions: Reduce the purchase
of products containing:
1. Persistent bioaccumulative* toxic compounds
2. Bisphenol-A*
3. Carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxic chemicals*
4. Halogenated flame retardants
5. Mercury
6. Phthalates (e.g. plasticizer DEHP—di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate)
7. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
II. Specific Environmental Criteria for Procurement Decisions
A. XYZ Health System promotes the purchase of:
1. Building products and materials that do not adversely impact indoor air quality
2. Building products, materials, and furnishings approved by National Facilities Services Planning and
standards
3. Products with high post-consumer recycled content
4. Readily recycled, reprocessed, and/or reused products
5. Latex-free products
6. Products that do not contain or contain a reduced amount of toxins
7. Products that have “take-back” provisions
8. Chlorine-free paper products
B. XYZ Health System will reduce the purchase of products containing:
1. Persistent bioaccumulative toxic compounds
2. Bisphenol-A
3. Carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxic chemicals
4. Halogenated flame retardants
5. Mercury
6. Phthalates (e.g. plasticizer DEHP—di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate)
7. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
III. Encouragement of Provision of Environmentally Preferable Goods and Services
A. Whenever possible, XYZ Health System will work with and encourage our vendors to promote
manufacturing and transportation practices that are environmentally safe and sound.
B. This includes but is not limited to these actions:
1. Minimizing packaging and using packaging materials that are recyclable, non-toxic, or bio-based
2. Minimizing packaging required for transportation
3. Manufacturing using the least amount of water and energy
4. Requiring less water and energy use during normal product use
5. Manufacturing products that have preferable attributes (See Section III-A).
IV. Definitions
A. Bisphenol-A: A plastic chemical that the National Institute of Health National Toxicology Program believes
is hazardous to human reproductive and developmental health. It is used for a variety of purposes.
B. Carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxic chemicals: Chemicals that have been shown to cause
cancer, a mutation of the genes, or damage to the development or function of reproductive systems.
C. DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate): A plasticizer (softener) used to increase the flexibility of polymers like
polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
1.
DEHP is the plasticizer for most PVC medical devices, such as IV bags and tubing.
2.
DEHP can leach out of the flexible PVC medical devices into the solution or medication it contains and
subsequently into the patient.
3.
Animal studies indicate that DEHP is a potentially reproductive and development toxicant.
D. Environmentally preferable purchasing: The purchase of products and services whose environmental
impacts have been considered and found to be less damaging to the environment and human health when
compared to competing products and services.
E. Green building: The practice of creating healthier and more resource-efficient models for design,
construction, renovation, operation, maintenance, and demolition of buildings. Elements of green building
include, but are not limited to:
F.
1.
Efficient energy use and use of renewable sources of energy (e.g., solar and wind)
2.
Efficient water use
3.
Use of building materials that, in comparison to competing brands, have a reduced effect on the
environment throughout their life cycle (e.g. recycled content, low toxicity, energy efficiency,
biodegradability, and/or durability)
4.
Reduced waste generation during construction, remodeling, and demolition
5.
Supports the health of occupants
Halogenated flame retardants: Flame retardants shown through controlled studies in laboratory animals to
disrupt thyroid function, critical for brain development early in life, and potentially to suppress immune
systems, cause cancer, and disrupt normal endocrine function.
G. Flame retardants (Chlorine-containing): Flame retardants suspected to accumulate in the liver and kidneys
and function as carcinogens and reproductive toxicants.
H. Latex: Material that can cause allergic reactions in health care personnel and patients after extensive use.
I.
Life cycle: The environmental and public health implications of all phases of a product’s existence; from
raw material extraction or production, through manufacture, distribution, and use to disposal. It also
includes all intervening transportation.
J.
Mercury: A metal that is a potent neurotoxin that can affect the brain, spinal cord, kidneys, and liver.
K. Persistent bioaccumulative toxic compounds: Compounds that are toxic, persist in the environment, and
build up in the food chain and can pose risks to public health by causing adverse effects to biological
systems.
L. Phthalates: See DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate).
M. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): A material that releases dioxin, a known carcinogen, into the environment during
manufacture and disposal.
N. Take-back provisions: Provisions that allow customers to return items (e.g., mercury sphygmomanometers,
fluorescent lights, shipping containers, and packaging) to the vendor or manufacturer for credit, reuse, and
disposal.
O. Volatile organic compounds and semi-volatile organic compounds: “Any compound of carbon, excluding
carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides or carbonates, and ammonium
carbonate, which participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions,” with a few exclusions. (U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency)
RESOURCES
Health Care Without Harm: www.noharm.org
Sustainable Hospitals Project: www.sustainablehospitals.org
Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E): www.h2e-online.org
Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition: www.toxicfreelegacy.org
Green Guide for Health Care: www.gghc.org
Shettler, T. “Use of Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate-Containing Medical Products and Urinary Levels of Mono (2ethylhexyl) Phthalate in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Infants.” Environmental Health Perspectives (2005) 113:9.
Note: Thanks to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Cottage Health System, for contributing the early version on
which this sample policy was based.