"Eco-minded shoppers will soon see a new U.S.-approved label on many products, including household cleaners and skin-care items, made with bio-based ingredients.

The new voluntary seal, announced Wednesday and expected this spring, aims to give bio-based products the same boost that the Energy Star program gave energy-efficient appliances. It will be offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and will look similar to the USDA seal for organic foods.

'Today's consumers are increasingly interested in making educated purchasing choices for their families. This label will make those decisions easier by identifying products as biobased,' said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan in announcing USDA's final rule for the certification, to be published Thursday in the Federal Register."

Wendy Koch reports for USA TODAY January 19, 2011. [2]