Printing and packaging companies may face new federal standards governing how environmental claims appear on a variety of covered consumer products under legislation that was recently proposed. On August 7, 2026, the Truth in Labeling Act of 2026 was introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative Lou Correa (D-CA).
If passed, the legislation would direct the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to establish definitions for when packaging, food-service products and beverage containers may be described as recyclable, compostable, reusable or refillable. The legislation would also create a standardized label that producers could voluntarily use.
Although the proposal focuses on environmental marketing claims, its implementation could directly affect packaging designers, converters, and printers. Labeling requirements often influence substrate selection, package design, printed instructions, and the placement of recycling symbols. The bill also identifies inks and adhesives that interfere with recycling as factors agencies should consider when determining whether a material qualifies as recyclable.
Under the legislation, an unqualified recyclability claim would be permitted only when a material is collected, processed, and supported by responsible end markets covering at least 60 percent of consumers or communities where the product is sold. Materials meeting a 40 percent threshold could qualify for a more limited claim accompanied by additional disclosure. The proposal would establish separate thresholds for compostability claims and would exclude incineration and conversion into fuel from the definition of recycling.
Once the federal agencies finalize the standards and the implementation period ends, the use of a recycling symbol or recyclability claim on a product that does not qualify could be treated as a deceptive practice under the FTC Act.
The proposal enters a developing national debate over how environmental claims should be regulated. Recently, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California issued a preliminary injunction barring California’s "Truth in Recycling" law (SB 343) from being enforced. The state legislation would significantly limit when businesses could use the chasing-arrows recycling symbol or other recyclability claims on products and packaging sold in California. To learn more about the injunction, read the Alliance’s article here.
As debates over the appropriate regulation of environmental claims continue at the state level, the Truth in Labeling Act is a federal response to similar concerns about consumer transparency and labeling standards.
The Truth in Labeling Act differs from the bipartisan Packaging and Claims Knowledge (PACK) Act, which PRINTING United Alliance supports. While both measures seek greater consistency, the Truth in Labeling Act would not preempt state labeling requirements. As a result, printing and packaging businesses operating nationally could still be required to navigate different state rules in addition to a new federal framework.
PRINTING United Alliance supports clear, accurate and workable environmental claims, as well as a consistent national framework that reduces regulatory uncertainty for companies serving customers across state lines. The Alliance will evaluate the new legislation and continue advocating for standards that recognize the operational realities of printing and packaging production while providing reliable information to consumers.
In this article, Stephanie Buka, Government Affairs Manager, PRINTING United Alliance, reports on the Truth in Labeling Act. 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.