This law defines 'environmentally preferable purchasing' as buying goods and services that are better for human health and the environment compared to similar options. When making this comparison, factors like how materials are gathered, production, packaging, energy use, and how products are disposed of are all considered. It also looks at cost, performance, and safety to ensure the needs of the purchaser are met effectively.

The Department of General Services works with several groups to help state agencies make purchases that are better for the environment. This includes promoting eco-friendly buying, creating strategies and policies for it, and coordinating with other agencies and groups on these efforts. They also focus on training and developing a best practices guide for state employees, as long as the funds are available.

The Department of General Services is required to assign one main person or office to handle questions and concerns about buying eco-friendly products. This is to make sure that state agencies, suppliers, and others have a go-to contact for any matters involving environmentally friendly purchasing.

This law states that the rules in this chapter do not interfere with or replace other laws that require the use of recycled materials.

This section explains that any policies favoring environmentally friendly purchasing should not force the purchase of goods or services that don't work well, limit competition, or are too expensive or not available quickly.

This law requires that any companies working with the Department of General Services in California must provide written assurance that their environmental claims about products or services are in line with the Federal Trade Commission's guidelines.