The House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade (CMT) held a July 22, 2026 hearing on two bipartisan bills: the Packaging and Claims Knowledge (PACK) Act (H.R. 6832) and the Recycled Materials Attribution Act (RMAA; H.R. 7502).
In advance of the hearing, PRINTING United Alliance submitted a letter to the Subcommittee expressing support for both bills. The Alliance also joined letters of support led by the PACK Act Coalition and the Recycling Leadership Council.
Because printing and packaging companies operate across state lines, they face an expanding patchwork of requirements governing recyclable, compostable, reusable and recycled-content claims. Some of the requirements conflict with each other and others are confusing. Clear national standards would promote consistency and help converters and print service providers communicate accurate information about their products and materials. Importantly, these bills would provide the regulatory certainty needed to support investment in recycling technologies, infrastructure, and domestic supply chains.
The PACK Act, introduced by Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX), would establish a consistent national framework for recyclable, compostable, and reusable claims on consumer packaging, helping ensure those claims are accurate, transparent, independently certified and consistent with U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidance. This bill would create a national framework supporting interstate commerce and preempting state laws that create barriers to practical, science-based packaging policy.
The RMAA, led by Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY), would establish a uniform, predictable, evidence-based national framework for recycled-content marketing claims and recognize certified mass-balance accounting as an acceptable method for substantiating those claims.
The bill would require the FTC to update and clarify its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, also known as the FTC Green Guides, to ensure accuracy and consistency. It would also help address plastic waste by reducing complexity for consumers and marketers, ensuring recycling terms reflect innovations and advancements in recycling approaches.
The Subcommittee will consider both bills after the August congressional recess, when members will debate, amend, and vote on whether to advance the legislation.
The Alliance appreciates the Subcommittee and full Committee’s interest in advancing sound recycling policy and consumer protection. We look forward to continuing to work with our coalition partners to help advance these critical pieces of legislation and other policies to strengthen the recycling system.
The Alliance will monitor both bills as they advance and report on any developments.
In this article, Stephanie Buka, Government Affairs Manager, PRINTING United Alliance, reports on the PACK Act and the RMAA. More information can be found at Business Excellence-Legislation or reach out to Steph should you have additional questions specific to how these issues may affect your business: sbuka@printing.org.
To become a member of the Alliance and learn more about how our subject matter experts can assist your company with services and resources such as those mentioned in this article, please contact the Alliance membership team: 888-385-3588 / membership@printing.org.