PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Congressional Research Service
No official summary is available in the imported record yet.
People & committees
Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46] · D–CA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We also preserved the text version used in the PlainBill explanation below.
Source last updated: Sep 1, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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PlainBill explanation
Based on the full Introduced in House · 2026-08-06 text. This explanation has not received human editorial review. This overview describes the proposal’s major provisions; it does not establish what its real-world effects would be.
This proposal would set national rules for claims that packaging, food-service items and beverage containers can be recycled, composted, reused or refilled. Producers choosing to make these claims would have to meet the bill’s criteria and use standardized labels. Plastic covered materials would also need codes identifying their plastic resin. Section 11’s deceptive-practice prohibitions would begin two years after standardized on-package labels are established or approved, with specified exceptions to the claim-specific prohibitions.
(8) Covered material The term covered material means, regardless of whether the material is recyclable, compostable, reusable, or refillable, and regardless of the material type, a material that is— (A) packaging; (B) a food service product; or (C) a beverage container.
(c) Resin identification code (1) In general All plastic covered materials sold, offered for sale, distributed, or imported into the United States shall be labeled with a resin identification code
shall establish or approve standardized on-package labels that a producer of a covered material shall use if the producer chooses to use an on-package label to indicate that the covered material is recyclable, compostable, reusable, or refillable in accordance with this Act
(a) General prohibition Beginning on the date that is 2 years after the date on which the Administrator, in coordination with the Commission, establishes or approves standardized on-package labels under section 8(a), it shall be considered a deceptive practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) for any producer of a covered material to sell, use, distribute, or import in commerce any covered material, except in compliance with this Act.
(b) Recyclable criteria (1) In general Beginning on the date that is 2 years after the date on which the Administrator, in coordination with the Commission, establishes or approves standardized on-package labels under section 8(a) but subject to paragraph (2)
(c) Compostable criteria (1) In general Beginning on the date that is 2 years after the date on which the Administrator, in coordination with the Commission, establishes or approves standardized on-package labels under section 8(a) but subject to paragraph (2)
(d) Reusable and refillable criteria (1) In general Beginning on the date that is 2 years after the date on which the Administrator, in coordination with the Commission, establishes or approves standardized on-package labels under section 8(a) but subject to paragraph (2)
The bill would be called the Truth in Labeling Act of 2026. Its findings describe consumer confusion and assert that standardized labels would improve clarity and reduce costs and waste. These are the bill’s stated reasons for acting, not demonstrated results.
This Act may be cited as the Truth in Labeling Act of 2026.
Congress finds that— (1) there is significant consumer confusion about which covered materials are recyclable, compostable, reusable, or refillable
(7) standardized labeling provides producers with clear enforceable criteria they can follow to ensure that their covered materials meet applicable requirements if the producers choose to use a label
(9) having clear, consistent labels would— (A) assist material recovery facilities and municipalities in their efforts to recycle and compost covered materials; (B) assist in educating the public about those efforts; and (C) reduce costs and waste
Coverage would include consumer packaging, including packaging for internet purchases, and food-service items such as cups, utensils and food wraps. The beverage-container definition covers prepackaged beverage containers from 50 milliliters through 3 liters. A responsible producer would be the person applying or directing the environmental label, or a person later modifying a compliant labeled material so that it no longer qualifies.
(3) Beverage container The term beverage container means a consumer prepackaged container that— (A) is designed to hold a beverage; (B) is made of any material, including glass, plastic, fiber, paper, and metal, or a combination thereof; and (C) has a volume of not less than 50 milliliters and not more than 3 liters.
(9) Food service product The term food service product means an item associated with a food product provided to a consumer, regardless of whether the item is recyclable, compostable, reusable, or refillable, including— (A) a drink cup; (B) a drink lid; (C) a food package; (D) a food container; (E) a plate; (F) a bowl; (G) a sleeve; (H) a straw; (I) a tray; (J) a utensil; (K) a food wrap
The term packaging means any separable and distinct material piece, regardless of whether the material piece is recyclable, compostable, reusable, or refillable, used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery, and presentation of goods that are sold, offered for sale, or distributed to consumers in the United States, including through an internet transaction.
(13) Producer The term producer, with respect to a covered material, means— (A) the person that affixes, or directs to affix, to the covered material a chasing arrows symbol, a label, or any other marking that indicates that the covered material is recyclable, compostable, reusable, or refillable; or (B) if the covered material was labeled as recyclable, compostable, reusable, or refillable in accordance with this Act and has subsequently been modified such that the covered material is not recyclable, compostable, reusable, or refillable, respectively, the person that so modified the covered material.
The packaging definition would exclude specified negligible components and certain parts integral to a product. The Environmental Protection Agency could also exempt negligible material that does not affect the package’s recyclability, compostability, reusability or refillability. Coatings and adhesives meeting the bill’s plastic definition would count as plastic; natural rubber and materials containing only naturally occurring polymers, such as proteins and starches, would not.
(1) Administrator The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
except— (I) an element of the packaging with a de minimis weight or volume, as determined by the Administrator; and (II) a component or element that is an integral part of the product, if all components or elements of the product are intended to be consumed or disposed of together. (C) Exclusions The Administrator may exempt from the term packaging under this paragraph a material that the Administrator determines— (i) is de minimis; and (ii) does not impact the recyclability, compostability, reusability, or refillability of the package.
(B) Inclusions The term plastic includes any coating or adhesive material described in subparagraph (A). (C) Exclusions The term plastic does not include— (i) natural rubber; or (ii) material containing only naturally occurring polymers, such as proteins and starches.
Environmental labels would have to be readable, follow the standardized format, identify the applicable claim and work with the intended disposal method without requiring consumers to remove the label. Materials that qualify for neither a full nor an allowed qualified claim could not carry misleading labels or instructions directing consumers to recycle, compost, reuse or refill them.
the label or marking shall— (1) be legible, clear, and on the appropriate side of the covered material, such that the ordinary consumer can easily read and understand the label or marking; (2) be consistent with the standardized on-package label established under section 8(a); (3) indicate whether the covered material is— (A) recyclable; (B) compostable; (C) reusable; or (D) refillable; (4) be compatible with the intended method of discard for the covered material, including any shrink sleeve; (5) not require removal by consumers to be compatible with the intended method of discard; and (6) be in accordance with section 5, 6, or 7, as applicable.
(b) Requirement If a covered material is not recyclable, eligible for a qualified claim of recyclability, compostable, eligible for a qualified claim of compostability, reusable, or refillable, the producer of the covered material shall ensure that the covered material does not include any label or marking, including the chasing arrows symbol or any equivalent, that would— (1) lead an ordinary consumer to believe that the item is recyclable, compostable, reusable, or refillable, respectively; or (2) direct a consumer to recycle, compost, reuse, or refill, respectively, the covered material.
Plastic covered materials sold, offered for sale, distributed or imported into the United States would need a resin identification code identifying the plastic resin and meeting the specified ASTM standard, including later revisions only if approved by the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator. The code could appear inside the chasing-arrows recycling symbol only if the material meets section 5 and the Administrator determines that no other placement is physically feasible. States could not impose conflicting requirements.
(18) Resin identification code The term resin identification code means a code that indicates the resin used to produce a plastic covered material that meets the requirements of ASTM International Standard D7611/D7611M–21— (A) as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act; or (B) as revised after the date of enactment of this Act, if the revision is approved by the Administrator.
(c) Resin identification code (1) In general All plastic covered materials sold, offered for sale, distributed, or imported into the United States shall be labeled with a resin identification code, which may not be placed inside a chasing arrows symbol, unless— (A) the plastic covered material meets the criteria described in section 5; and (B) placement inside a chasing arrows symbol is the only physically feasible placement, as determined by the Administrator. (2) Preemption No State may impose any requirement that conflicts with the requirement under paragraph (1).
The Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, coordinating with the Federal Trade Commission and considering advisory-committee findings and recommendations, would analyze recovery facilities nationwide and publish qualifying material categories. Producers could submit studies and other technical evidence, which the Administrator would have to review through that coordinated process when establishing or revising classifications.
(5) Commission The term Commission means the Federal Trade Commission.
the Administrator, in coordination with the Commission and with consideration of the findings and recommendations of the Advisory Committee, shall— (1) conduct a nationwide analysis of covered material recycling, composting, reuse, and refill facilities to identify which covered materials are commonly collected, sorted, sold, or transferred for recycling, composting, reuse, and refill in the United States that meet the requirements of this Act; and (2) publish a list of categories of covered material identified under paragraph (1).
Producers, individually or collectively, may submit to the Administrator technical studies, sorting and processing trials, material flow analyses, end-market assessments, or other evidence to support the classification of a covered material as recyclable, compostable, reusable, or refillable. (2) Consideration The Administrator, in coordination with the Commission, and with consideration of the findings and recommendations of the Advisory Committee, shall review any evidence submitted under paragraph (1) when establishing or revising determinations for recyclable, compostable, reusable, and refillable classifications.
A full recyclable claim would require compliance with industry design guidelines if approved by the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, and components that do not prevent recycling or clear on-package instructions for removing and properly disposing of separable nonrecyclable components. The material must be collected, separated or otherwise recovered through an established recycling program with a responsible end market covering at least 60 percent of consumers or communities where the item is sold. It would also need commercial recycling value and a responsible end market: a material market and intermediate supply-chain entities where recovered materials are purchased and manufactured into saleable products or feedstock, with sufficient capacity and practices minimizing environmental and health risks.
(1) the covered material is made in accordance with the design guidelines of the industry of the covered material, if approved by the Administrator
(2) the covered material does not include any component, including inks and adhesives, that prevents the product from being recycled, unless the covered material includes clear, on-package instructions that describe how to remove and properly dispose of a separable component that is not recyclable; (3) the covered material is collected, separated, or otherwise recovered from the waste stream through an established recycling program for which a responsible end market exists that covers at least 60 percent of consumers or communities where the item is sold; and (4) the covered material has a commercial value for recycling and a responsible end market.
(19) Responsible end market The term responsible end market means a material market, and intermediate supply chain entities, that— (A) is where collected, processed, and separated covered materials are purchased and manufactured into new, saleable products or feedstock; (B) has sufficient capacity to handle the quantity of covered materials collected; and (C) recovers covered materials and disposes of contaminants in a manner that minimizes environmental harm and risks to public health and worker health and safety.
A qualified recycling claim—a claim explaining limits on recycling availability—would require the material to be collected, separated or otherwise recovered through an established recycling program with a responsible end market covering at least 40 percent of consumers or communities where the item is sold. The material would still need to meet the design, component and commercial-value requirements. The Environmental Protection Agency Administrator would also have to approve a plan showing a reasonable, time-bound path to full qualification within two years after approval. The claim would have to follow standardized labeling and other applicable requirements.
(c) Qualified claims of recyclability A covered material shall be eligible for a qualified claim of recyclability if— (1) the covered material is collected, separated, or otherwise recovered from the waste stream through an established recycling program for which a responsible end market exists that covers at least 40 percent of consumers or communities where the item is sold; (2) the covered material meets the requirements described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of subsection (b); (3) the qualified claim of recyclability is consistent with the standardized on-package label established under section 8(a); (4) except as provided in this subsection, the qualified claim of recyclability is made in accordance with any other requirements under this Act relating to recyclable covered materials; and (5) the Administrator has approved a plan demonstrating a reasonable and time-bound pathway for the covered material to be considered recyclable under this Act, including compliance with subsection (b)(3), not later than 2 years after the date of approval of the plan.
describing acceptable qualified claims of recyclability that will provide clear and standardized information to consumers to allow them to determine whether the covered material is recyclable in their jurisdiction and how to recycle the covered material.
The Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, coordinating with the Federal Trade Commission and considering advisory-committee findings and recommendations, would issue recycling-qualification regulations. The agencies would have to strive for regulations reducing the amount of recyclable goods not accepted at a responsible end market. The Administrator would publish a qualifying-material list within 18 months after enactment and every two years afterward. Turning materials into fuel or using them to generate electricity, heat or steam would not count as recycling, a responsible end market or part of either recycling coverage threshold.
(d) Regulations (1) In general The Administrator, in coordination with the Commission, and with consideration of the findings and recommendations of the Advisory Committee, shall issue regulations for— (A) determining whether a covered material meets the criteria described in subsection (b) or (c); and (B) describing acceptable qualified claims of recyclability that will provide clear and standardized information to consumers to allow them to determine whether the covered material is recyclable in their jurisdiction and how to recycle the covered material. (2) Requirement In carrying out paragraph (1), the Administrator, in coordination with the Commission, shall strive to issue regulations that reduce the amount of recyclable goods that are not accepted at a responsible end market.
(e) Publication of covered materials Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall publish a list of covered materials that meet the requirements of this section. (f) Exclusion For purposes of this Act, the conversion of a covered material into fuel, fuel ingredients, or fuel substitutes or the use of a covered material for the generation of electricity, heat, or steam shall not— (1) be considered recycling; (2) count towards the 60 percent threshold, or be considered a responsible end market, described in subsection (b)(3); or (3) count towards the 40 percent threshold, or be considered a responsible end market, described in subsection (c)(1).
A full compostable claim would require industry design standards, specified ASTM International testing standards or equivalents, and capability for collection and acceptance by at least 50 percent of established U.S. composting programs. Materials would have to undergo controlled biological degradation into compost or a substantially similar soil amendment. The criteria would prohibit intentionally added perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances and heavy metals incompatible with compost.
(b) Criteria A covered material shall be considered compostable if the covered material— (1) is designed to be compostable in accordance with the design standards and guidelines of the industry of the covered material; (2) at a minimum— (A) adheres to ASTM International 6640, 6868, or equivalent standard specifications that test the ability of the covered material to break down into compost; and (B) does not contain intentionally added perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances or heavy metals that are incompatible with compost; (3) is capable of being collected and accepted by at least 50 percent of the established composting programs in the United States; and (4) is processed by itself or with other covered material categories through controlled biological degradation to make compost or a substantially similar soil amendment.
A qualified compostability claim could use a lower acceptance threshold of at least 30 percent of established U.S. composting programs, while retaining the other material criteria and applicable labeling requirements. The Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, coordinating with the Federal Trade Commission and considering advisory-committee recommendations, would issue guidance or regulations explaining qualification and acceptable claims. The Administrator would publish a qualifying-material list within 270 days after enactment and every two years afterward.
(c) Qualified claims of compostability A covered material shall be eligible for a qualified claim of compostability if— (1) the covered material is capable of being collected and accepted by at least 30 percent of the established composting programs in the United States; (2) the covered material meets the requirements described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of subsection (b); (3) the qualified claim of compostability is consistent with the standardized on-package label established under section 8(a); and (4) except as provided in this subsection, the qualified claim of compostability is made in accordance with any other requirements under this Act relating to compostable covered materials.
(d) Regulations The Administrator, in coordination with the Commission, and with consideration of the recommendations of the Advisory Committee, shall issue guidance or regulations for— (1) determining whether a covered material meets the criteria described in subsection (b) or (c); and (2) describing acceptable qualified claims of compostability that will provide clear and standardized information to consumers to allow them to determine whether the covered material is compostable in their jurisdiction and how to compost the covered material.
(f) Publication of covered materials Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall publish a list of covered materials that meet the requirements of this section.
Noncompostable plastic or plastic-lined covered materials could not use markings that intentionally or unintentionally mislead people into believing they are compostable. The provision lists green or brown coloring or striping, green or brown certification logos unless approved by the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, and other designs the Administrator finds deceptive or misleading.
(e) Limitation for plastic or plastic-Lined covered materials If a plastic or plastic-lined covered material is not compostable, the producer of the plastic covered material shall ensure that the plastic covered material does not include a marking that would intentionally or unintentionally mislead the public to believe that the covered material is compostable, such as— (1) green or brown tinting, coloring, or striping; (2) a green or brown certification logo, unless approved by the Administrator; or (3) any other design, logo, or similar marking that the Administrator determines is deceptive or misleading.
Reusable materials would be designed and marketed for producers to recover, inspect, repair when necessary and reissue for repeated use. Refillable materials would be designed for consumers to refill repeatedly and be sold or provided once for their usable life. Both would need durable design, repeated use in their original form, convenient supporting systems or infrastructure, and an intended use beyond a single use.
(17) Refillable The term refillable, with respect to a covered material, means that the covered material— (A) is designed to be— (i) refilled by consumers multiple times for the same or a similar purpose and in the original format of the covered material; and (ii) sold or provided to consumers once for the duration of the usable life of the covered material; and (B) otherwise meets the criteria described in section 7(b).
(20) Reusable The term reusable, with respect to a covered material, means that the covered material— (A) is intentionally designed and marketed to be recovered, inspected, repaired (if necessary), and reissued by producers into the supply chain for convenient and safe reuse for multiple cycles; and (B) otherwise meets the criteria described in section 7(b).
(2) is designed for durability and maintenance to extend the useful life of the covered material and to reduce demand for new production of the covered material; (3) at a minimum, can be recirculated or refilled multiple times, as determined by the Administrator, for the same or a similar purpose in the original format of the covered material; (4) is supported by a system or physical infrastructure that is— (A) in place to ensure the possibility and likelihood of reuse or refill; (B) provided by a producer or a third party; and (C) designed for convenient reuse or refill; and (5) is not intended for single use by a consumer.
Reusable and refillable materials would also have to follow relevant industry design standards and guidelines. The Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, coordinating with the Federal Trade Commission and considering advisory-committee findings and recommendations, would issue qualification regulations. The Administrator would publish a qualifying-material list within 270 days after enactment and every two years afterward.
(1) is designed to be reusable or refillable in accordance with the design standards and guidelines relating to reusability and refillability of the industry of the covered material, such as the American National Standards Institute
(c) Regulations The Administrator, in coordination with the Commission, and with consideration of the findings and recommendations of the Advisory Committee, shall issue regulations for determining whether a covered material meets the criteria described in subsection (b). (d) Publication of covered materials Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall publish a list of covered materials that meet the requirements of this section.
The Environmental Protection Agency Administrator would have to establish or approve standardized on-package labels within two years after enactment, in coordination with the Federal Trade Commission and considering advisory-committee findings and recommendations. Labels would include consistent symbols, wording and necessary disposal instructions, with recommended placement, size and typography. Optional digital labels could add information. The Administrator would review standards at least every five years after enactment, with public notice and comment, and revise them as necessary.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in coordination with the Commission, and with consideration of the findings and recommendations of the Advisory Committee, shall establish or approve standardized on-package labels
(1) harmonized iconography to demonstrate the proper disposal pathway; (2) harmonized terminology and descriptions, including, as necessary, instructions for— (A) qualified claims of recyclability; (B) qualified claims of compostability; and (C) preparing covered materials for disposal; and (3) recommended on-package placements, size, and typography to ensure legibility and accessibility.
may, for the purpose of providing additional information to the on-package label standardized under subsection (a), establish or approve a standardized digital label, which may include a Quick Response code or a similar technology, for any covered material that may be used by producers in addition to the standardized on-package label described in that subsection.
Not less frequently than once every 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in coordination with the Commission, and with consideration of the findings and recommendations of the Advisory Committee, after providing notice and an opportunity for public comment, shall— (1) review the label standards established under subsections (a) and (b), including a review of ongoing label compatibility challenges and best practices; and (2) as necessary, revise the label standards under subsections (a) and (b) based on the review under paragraph (1).
An advisory committee would be established within 180 days after enactment to advise on qualification criteria and labels. Alongside agency representatives, it would include eight industry representatives, five representatives of material recovery facilities, four environmental or sustainability representatives, two other nonprofit representatives, two other technical experts, three state representatives and three local-government representatives. Required seats include one each for paper mills and aluminum smelters, three for facilities serving urban or suburban communities, and two for facilities serving rural or disadvantaged communities.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator and the Commission shall jointly establish an advisory committee to enhance public engagement and provide advice to the Administrator and the Commission
with respect to— (1) standards that should apply to the criteria for the terms recyclable, compostable, reusable, and refillable under sections 5(b), 6(b), and 7(b); (2) standards that should apply for qualified claims of recyclability and qualified claims of compostability; and (3) standardized labeling and guidelines for recyclable, compostable, reusable, and refillable covered materials.
The Administrator (or an appointee of the Administrator) and a representative appointed by the Commission shall serve as ex officio members of the Advisory Committee.
(A) 8 representatives of relevant industries, including consumer brands, the recycled materials industry, the composting industry, the reuse industry, the refill industry, and packaging manufacturers, including 1 representative each from paper mills and aluminum smelters; (B) 5 representatives of material recovery facilities, including— (i) 3 representatives of material recovery facilities serving urban or suburban communities; and (ii) 2 representatives of material recovery facilities serving rural or disadvantaged communities; (C) 4 representatives of environmental or sustainability organizations; (D) 2 representatives from other relevant nonprofit organizations; (E) 2 representatives of other technical experts; (F) 3 representatives from State governments; and (G) 3 representatives from local governments.
The advisory committee would meet regularly until initial standards are established and at least annually afterward. Meetings would be public, and the committee would solicit public comment on standards. The bill would exempt the committee from the specified Administrative Procedure Act provisions; those provisions are not supplied, so the exemption’s precise legal consequences cannot be established here.
(c) Meetings After selection of the members of the Advisory Committee, the ex officio members shall convene the Advisory Committee— (1) regularly until the date on which the criteria standards and labeling standards described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a) are initially established; and (2) after the date described in paragraph (1), not less frequently than annually.
(d) Public participation (1) In general Each meeting of the Advisory Committee shall be open to the public. (2) Public comment The Advisory Committee shall solicit public comment with respect to the establishment of the criteria standards and labeling standards described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a). (e) Exemption from Administrative Procedure Act Subchapter II of chapter 5, and chapter 7, of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Administrative Procedure Act), shall not apply to the Advisory Committee.
Beginning within one year after enactment, the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator and Federal Trade Commission would report annually to Congress on implementation, obstacles, technology changes, qualifying and nonqualifying materials, and barriers to qualification. Reports would assess implementation by material and geographic area and evaluate consumers’ understanding of claims, symbols and resin codes.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and on an annual basis thereafter, the Administrator and the Commission shall submit to Congress a report that— (1) provides— (A) updates on the implementation of this Act, including educational and outreach efforts; (B) obstacles to the implementation of this Act; (C) updates on changes to available technologies that would impact the criteria for the terms recyclable, compostable, reusable, and refillable under sections 5(b), 6(b), and 7(b); and (D) (i) a list of covered materials that are, and covered materials that are not, considered recyclable, compostable, reusable, or refillable under this Act, as determined under sections 4 through 7; and (ii) a description of any barriers that inhibit covered materials from being considered recyclable, compostable, reusable, or refillable under this Act
(2) evaluates and assesses the implementation of this Act with respect to the criteria described in paragraph (1)(C), as aggregated by covered material and geographic area; and (3) evaluates and assesses consumer understanding of— (A) the terms recyclable, compostable, reusable, and refillable; (B) the chasing arrows symbol and similar labels used for recyclable, compostable, reusable, and refillable covered materials; and (C) resin identification codes.
Two years after standardized labels are established or approved, a producer’s sale, use, distribution or importation in commerce of noncompliant covered materials would become a deceptive practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Separate provisions would make improper recycling, composting, reuse and refill claims unlawful, subject to their exceptions.
(a) General prohibition Beginning on the date that is 2 years after the date on which the Administrator, in coordination with the Commission, establishes or approves standardized on-package labels under section 8(a), it shall be considered a deceptive practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) for any producer of a covered material to sell, use, distribute, or import in commerce any covered material, except in compliance with this Act.
(b) Recyclable criteria (1) In general Beginning on the date that is 2 years after the date on which the Administrator, in coordination with the Commission, establishes or approves standardized on-package labels under section 8(a) but subject to paragraph (2), it shall be considered a deceptive practice and unlawful under section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) for any producer of a covered material to sell, use, distribute, or import in commerce any covered material that displays— (A) a chasing arrows symbol or any other symbol or statement indicating the covered material is recyclable or otherwise directing the consumer to recycle the covered material unless the covered material is considered recyclable under this Act; or (B) a chasing arrows symbol surrounding a resin identification code, as prohibited by section 4(c).
(c) Compostable criteria (1) In general Beginning on the date that is 2 years after the date on which the Administrator, in coordination with the Commission, establishes or approves standardized on-package labels under section 8(a) but subject to paragraph (2), it shall be considered a deceptive practice and unlawful under section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) for any producer of a covered material to sell, use, distribute, or import in commerce any covered material that displays a symbol approved to indicate that a product is compostable, any statement indicating that the covered material is compostable, or otherwise directing the consumer to compost the covered material unless the covered material is considered compostable under this Act.
(d) Reusable and refillable criteria (1) In general Beginning on the date that is 2 years after the date on which the Administrator, in coordination with the Commission, establishes or approves standardized on-package labels under section 8(a) but subject to paragraph (2), it shall be considered a deceptive practice and unlawful under section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) for any producer of a covered material to sell, use, distribute, or import in commerce any covered material that displays a symbol approved to indicate that a product is reusable or refillable, any statement indicating that the product or packaging is reusable or refillable, or otherwise directing the consumer to reuse or refill the covered material unless the covered material is considered reusable or refillable under this Act.
The specific recycling, composting, reuse and refill enforcement provisions would exempt materials manufactured before 18 months after publication of standardized labels, including revisions. They would also exempt materials manufactured before 18 months after a criteria revision if the materials qualified before the revision but no longer qualify afterward. These exceptions expressly apply to the corresponding claim-specific prohibitions; the text does not expressly explain their interaction with section 11(a)’s separate general prohibition.
(2) Exceptions (A) Establishment or revision of standards Paragraph (1) does not apply to a covered material— (i) if the covered material is manufactured before the date that is 18 months after the date on which the Administrator, in consultation with the Commission, publishes the standardized on-package labels under section 8(a), including any revisions; or (ii) if— (I) the Administrator revises the criteria standards for recyclability; (II) the covered material met the criteria standards before the revision but no longer meets the criteria standards after that revision; and (III) the covered material is manufactured before the date that is 18 months after the date of the revision.
(2) Exceptions (A) Establishment or revision of standards Paragraph (1) does not apply to a covered material— (i) if the covered material is manufactured before the date that is 18 months after the date on which the Administrator, in consultation with the Commission, publishes the standardized on-package labels under section 8(a), including any revisions; or (ii) if— (I) the Administrator, in consultation with the Commission, revises the criteria standards for compostable; (II) the covered material met the criteria standards before the revision but no longer meets the criteria standards after that revision; and (III) the covered material is manufactured before the date that is 18 months after the date of the revision.
(2) Exception Paragraph (1) does not apply to a covered material— (A) if the covered material is manufactured before the date that is 18 months after the date on which the Administrator, in consultation with the Commission, publishes the standardized on-package labels under section 8(a), including any revisions; or (B) if— (i) the Administrator, in consultation with the Commission, revises the criteria standards for reusable or refillable; (ii) the covered material met the criteria standards before the revision but no longer meets the criteria standards after that revision; and (iii) the covered material is manufactured before the date that is 18 months after the date of the revision.
The recycling enforcement rules would allow a chasing-arrows symbol crossed out with a visible 45-degree line to indicate nonrecyclability, a resin code inside a solid equilateral triangle, and valid qualified recycling claims. Recyclable outer packaging for partly nonrecyclable materials could carry a recycling claim if wording or symbols in the same or greater font, font size or symbol size clearly identify the nonrecyclable components and explain how to remove them.
(B) Other exceptions For purposes of this subsection, none of the following constitutes a deceptive or misleading claim about the recyclability of a covered material: (i) Symbology A person using a chasing arrows symbol in combination with a clearly visible line placed at a 45-degree angle over the chasing arrows symbol to convey that an item is not recyclable. (ii) Resin identification codes A resin identification code placed inside a solid equilateral triangle. (iii) Qualified claim A qualified claim of recyclability.
(3) Use on nonrecyclable products Subject to paragraph (2), if the entirety of a covered material is not recyclable but components of the covered material are recyclable, a chasing arrows symbol or statement indicating that a covered material is recyclable may be displayed on the external packaging that is considered to be recyclable if the chasing arrows symbol or statement clearly describes in the same or greater font, font size, or symbol size— (A) which components of the covered material are not recyclable; and (B) how to properly remove those components.
The composting enforcement rules would allow a compostable symbol crossed out with a visible 45-degree line to indicate noncompostability, valid qualified claims and directions to compost qualifying contents through a composting program even when their packaging is not compostable. Compostable outer packaging for partly noncompostable materials could carry a claim if wording or symbols in the same or greater font, font size or symbol size clearly identify the noncompostable components and explain their removal and disposal.
(B) Other exceptions For purposes of this subsection, none of the following constitutes a deceptive or misleading claim about a covered material as being compostable: (i) Symbology A person using a compostable symbol in combination with a clearly visible line placed at a 45-degree angle over the compostable symbol to convey that an item is not compostable. (ii) Noncompostable packaging Directing a consumer to compost a product inside of a covered material through a composting program if the product inside the covered material is compostable but the covered material is not compostable. (iii) Qualified claim A qualified claim of compostability.
(3) Use on noncompostable products Subject to paragraph (2), if the entirety of a covered material is not compostable but components of the covered material are compostable, a compostable symbol or statement indicating a product is compostable may be displayed on the external packaging that is considered to be compostable if the symbol or statement clearly describes in the same or greater font, font size, or symbol size— (A) which components of the covered material are not compostable; and (B) how to remove and dispose of those components.
For the recycling and composting enforcement rules, claims on packaging containing a consumable product would be treated as referring only to the packaging. The bill defines a consumable product here as a commodity intended to be used and not disposed of.
(4) Applicability to consumable products (A) Definition of consumable product In this paragraph, the term consumable product means a commodity that is intended to be used and not disposed of. (B) Rule For purposes of this subsection, the display of a chasing arrows symbol or any other statement of recyclability on packaging containing a consumable product shall be deemed to only refer to the packaging.
(B) Rule For purposes of this subsection, the display of a compostable symbol or any other statement that a covered material is compostable on packaging containing a consumable product shall be deemed to only refer to the packaging.
Materials on the agency’s qualifying-material lists would receive a safe harbor: they would be treated as qualifying for the corresponding claim-specific enforcement provisions. If removed from a list, a material would retain that treatment for one year after removal. The safe harbor expressly references specified claim-specific prohibitions, without expressly explaining its interaction with section 11(a)’s general prohibition.
(e) Safe harbor (1) In general A covered material included on a list published under section 5(e), 6(f), or 7(d) shall be considered recyclable, compostable, or reusable or refillable, respectively, for purposes of subsection (b)(1)(A), (c)(1), or (d)(1), respectively. (2) Grace period If a covered material is removed from a list published under section 5(e), 6(f), or 7(d), for the 1-year period beginning on the date of removal, the covered material shall be considered recyclable, compostable, or reusable or refillable, respectively, for purposes of subsection (b)(1)(A), (c)(1), or (d)(1), respectively.
After finding a violation, the Federal Trade Commission would have 30 days to notify the violator and provide 180 days to correct it. Uncorrected violations would trigger fines for each violation and each day it occurs under the cited Federal Trade Commission Act provision. The bill does not itself state a dollar amount, and the referenced penalty provision is not supplied.
(f) Penalties (1) Civil penalty (A) Notification In the case of a violation of this section, not later than 30 days after the date of a finding of the Commission of that violation, the Commission shall provide the person that violated this section notice of the violation and a 180-day period to rectify the violation. (B) Fines Any person that violates this section, is provided notice under subparagraph (A), and does not rectify the violation by the end of the period described in that subparagraph shall be fined for each violation and for each day that the violation occurs under section 5(m)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45(m)(1)(B)).
Collected fines would be available to the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator without further appropriations. The Administrator would have to use them for the named recycling infrastructure and consumer education grant programs and education or outreach authorized by this bill. These receipts would supplement other funding for the two named programs. The referenced programs’ full eligibility and allocation rules are not supplied.
(C) Use of funds (i) In general Any fines collected under subparagraph (B) shall be available to and used by the Administrator, without further appropriations, to carry out— (I) the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program authorized by section 302(a) of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (33 U.S.C. 4282(a)); (II) the Consumer Recycling Education and Outreach Grant Program established under section 70402(b) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (42 U.S.C. 6966d(b)) to enhance recycling, composting, reuse, and refill infrastructure and education; and (III) any educational or outreach program authorized by this Act. (ii) Supplement; not supplant Any amounts made available by clause (i) shall supplement, and not supplant, any other amounts made available to carry out the programs described in subclauses (I) and (II) of that clause.
The Federal Trade Commission could ask a court to stop unlawful sales, distribution or imports. It could allow qualifying states to carry out violation-notice and correction-period duties or seek those court orders; the state-enforcement provision does not expressly delegate the fine provision. The Commission could also issue regulations needed to implement the bill.
(2) Injunctive relief The Commission may bring a civil action to enjoin the sale, distribution, or importation into the United States of a covered material in violation of this Act. (3) State enforcement The Commission may permit a State to carry out enforcement under paragraph (1)(A) or (2) if the Commission determines that the State meets such requirements as the Commission may establish.
(A) Notification In the case of a violation of this section, not later than 30 days after the date of a finding of the Commission of that violation, the Commission shall provide the person that violated this section notice of the violation and a 180-day period to rectify the violation.
(h) Commission regulations The Commission may promulgate such regulations as the Commission determines are necessary to carry out this Act.
Except for conflicting state resin-code requirements, the bill would preserve state law. If the bill conflicted with the federal marketing-claim provisions known as the Green Guides, the bill’s provision would control. The supplied sources do not reproduce the Green Guides or establish particular conflicts.
(4) No preemption Except as provided in section 4(c), nothing in this Act shall preempt any State law. (g) Green guides In the case of a conflict between any provision of this Act and part 260 of title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, the provision of this Act shall control.
(2) Preemption No State may impose any requirement that conflicts with the requirement under paragraph (1).
part 260 of title 16, Code of Federal Regulations (commonly referred to as the Green Guides), provides rules for marketing claims
The Environmental Protection Agency Administrator would develop consumer-education best practices in consultation with governments, tribes, industry and other stakeholders, using the nationwide analysis. The Administrator would share those practices through the Model Recycling Program Toolkit or a similar resource. For materials qualifying as both recyclable and compostable, the Administrator would distribute guidance on the recovery method creating the highest value after consumer use.
The Administrator, in consultation with the Commission, States, units of local government, Indian Tribes, material recovery facilities, impacted industries, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and other relevant stakeholders, shall— (1) develop, based on the results of studies, reports, inventory, and data collected under the nationwide analysis required under section 4(d), best practices that States, units of local government, nonprofit organizations, and Indian Tribes may use to educate consumers on the labels established pursuant to this Act; and (2) provide the best practices developed under paragraph (1) to States, units of local governments, and Indian Tribes through the Model Recycling Program Toolkit, or a similar resource.
(b) Multiple recovery methods The Administrator shall prepare and distribute consumer educational materials relating to the preferred recovery method for covered materials that are considered recyclable and compostable, based on the recovery method that creates the highest value for post-consumer use.
The Environmental Protection Agency Administrator would have to encourage producers and label suppliers to work with recycling, composting, reuse and refill industries on label compatibility. This provision directs the Administrator to encourage cooperation; it does not itself require producers to participate.
In carrying out this Act, the Administrator shall encourage producers, in coordination with the supply chains for the production of labels, including substrate suppliers, converters, and ink suppliers, to work with the recycling, composting, reuse, and refill industries to address label compatibility challenges.
If a provision or its application were held unconstitutional, the bill directs that the remaining provisions and their application remain unaffected. This is a severability rule, not a prediction of a court decision.
If any provision of this Act or the application of that provision to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remaining provisions of this Act and the application of those provisions to any person or circumstance shall not be affected.
The supplied official-actions snapshot, updated September 1, 2026, records introduction in the House and referral to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on August 6, 2026. That snapshot does not establish later legislative action or enactment.
Source snapshot updated 2026-09-01T08:05:42Z. 2026-08-06: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. 2026-08-06: Introduced in House 2026-08-06: Introduced in House
A closer look
Reviewed version: Introduced in House · 2026-08-06. These findings describe provisions and who may benefit; they are not judgments of waste, corruption, or motive.
This review covers the supplied bill text. “None identified” does not rule out provisions in later versions or accompanying reports and disclosures.
Provisions outside the bill’s main subject, or policy changes attached to appropriations.
None identified in the reviewed text
No unrelated provision or policy rider was identified after reviewing the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion is limited to that version and does not establish absence in other versions or accompanying materials, or establish amendment attachment history.
Spending directed to particular recipients or places outside ordinary competitive or formula-based allocation.
None identified in the reviewed text
No congressionally directed spending for particular recipients or places meeting the stated earmark definition was identified after reviewing the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion is limited to that version; it does not establish absence in accompanying materials or resolve formal earmark status without requests, disclosures and reports.
Narrow exceptions, exemptions, or preferential treatment that warrant a closer look.
Findings to examine
The complete supplied introduced text contains a narrowly designated representation benefit warranting scrutiny under this category. Classification is not a judgment about its justification and does not establish benefits in other versions or accompanying materials.
Section 9 reserves one advisory-committee seat each for representatives of paper mills and aluminum smelters within the eight industry seats. This guarantees those two specific industries representation in advising the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator and Federal Trade Commission on material-qualification criteria, qualified claims and standardized labels. The targeted treatment is the explicit reservation of seats for those industries, which relates directly to the bill’s labeling policy; the cited provision gives them an advisory role, not authority to set the standards.
(2) Composition In addition to the ex officio members of the Advisory Committee described in paragraph (1), the Advisory Committee shall be composed of the following members, who shall be selected by the ex officio members: (A) 8 representatives of relevant industries, including consumer brands, the recycled materials industry, the composting industry, the reuse industry, the refill industry, and packaging manufacturers, including 1 representative each from paper mills and aluminum smelters;
(a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator and the Commission shall jointly establish an advisory committee to enhance public engagement and provide advice to the Administrator and the Commission with respect to— (1) standards that should apply to the criteria for the terms recyclable, compostable, reusable, and refillable under sections 5(b), 6(b), and 7(b); (2) standards that should apply for qualified claims of recyclability and qualified claims of compostability; and (3) standardized labeling and guidelines for recyclable, compostable, reusable, and refillable covered materials.
Full text preserved for this analysis. Legislative record snapshot: Sep 1, 2026. How PlainBill uses AI