The Buy Clean California Act (BCCA) was enacted in October 2017 in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions released during the manufacture and transport of products used in public infrastructure projects. UC requires collection of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for eligible materials (carbon steel rebar, structural steel, flat glass, and mineral wool board insulation) on construction contracts of $1,000,000 and above, entered into on or after July 1, 2022.
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
The BCCA requires submittal of environmental product declarations (EPDs) for eligible materials or products, including carbon steel rebar, structural steel, flat glass, and mineral wool board insulation.
For qualifying projects with contracts signed on or after July 1, 2022, contractors must submit facility-specific material or product EPDs before the material will be approved for installation. The EPD must show that the global-warming potential of the material or product is less than or equal to the most current global-warming potential (GWP) threshold values published by the Department of General Services (DGS).
Materials with EPDs greater than the threshold value cannot be used on qualifying projects unless the projects fall under the approved Exemption list as defined below and have an approved Waiver. If the contractor fails to both provide an EPD for an eligible material and receive University approval, installation may not proceed and compensation may be withheld, and/or the contractor may be liable for all costs associated with removal of an eligible material installed prior to University review and approval.
Key components of EPDs include:
Eligible Materials
Flat glass includes clear and tinted flat glazing products provided by themselves or in an assembled unit. It does not include coated, tempered or laminated flat glazing products provided by themselves or in an assembled unit.
Product Category Rules
A Product Category Rule (PCR) is a set of rules, requirements and guidelines used to develop an EPD for a product group. Both EPDs and PCRs have time periods of validity which are defined when they are published. Contractors are to use the PCR in effect on the date of the Notice to Proceed (NTP) for Construction unless otherwise authorized. Where a product category rule for material or product has expired without replacement as of the NTP of construction, submit a waiver or the specified product.
Material or Product
Applicable PCR
Range of Applicability
Carbon Steel Rebar and Structural Steel