Multipurpose lubricants must have a minimum of 88 percent bio-based content to be eligible. The program defines them as products designed to provide lubrication under a variety of conditions and in a variety of industrial settings to prevent friction or rust. It doesnt include greases or task-specific lubricants such as chain, cable and gear lubricants.

Turbine drip oils must have a minimum of 87 percent bio-based content to be eligible. The BioPreferred program defines turbine drip oils as products that are lubricants for use in drip-lubrication systems for water well line shaft bearings, water turbine bearings for irrigation pumps and other turbine-bearing applications.

The federally administered BioPreferred program was created by the 2002 Farm Bill as a preferred procurement program to increase purchase and use of biobased products within the federal government. The 2008 Farm Bill expanded the programs scope to promote the sale of biobased products in other sectors, and reauthorized the voluntary labeling program for broad-scale consumer marketing of biobased products. A BioPreferred item meets or exceeds USDA-established minimum bio-based content requirements.

The procurement programs final regulations include a wide variety of lubricants and greases, and their designated minimum bio-based content percentage. Previous examples have included hydraulic fluids in mobile equipment and stationary equipment, transformer fluid, penetrating lubricants, 2-cycle engine oils, several types of greases, firearm lubricants, and several types of metalworking fluids.