Nonwovens containing cotton have been designated as biobased products under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) BioPreferred program, which aims at boosting purchase and use of biobased products, made from renewable resources or from animal materials.

Considering that cotton is a natural fibre, which is annually renewable, the program has certified nonwovens having cotton as an ingredient as biobased products.

The definition of biobased products as provided in the 2002 Farm Bill states that these are commercial or industrial products that are fully or partially made of biological products, forestry materials or renewable agriculture.

Though some may feel that cotton itself qualifies to be designated as a biobased product, but as specified under the BioPreferred program, products having a market presence before 1972 do not qualify for this certification.

Cotton nonwovens are a significant development that took place after 1972, and hence cotton nonwovens have been awarded the certification.