Latest Update: The PACK Act Receives Congressional Hearing
July 22, 2026
The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade held a hearing that included the PACK Act, marking an important step in the legislative process.
The hearing brought greater congressional attention to the need for accurate packaging claims and a consistent federal framework. Continued engagement from constituents, employers, and organizations across the packaging value chain is now critical to building support for the legislation.
Lawmakers need to hear how conflicting state requirements affect consumers, facilities, employees, operations, and communities.
How You Can Support the PACK Act:
If your organization supports consistent national standards for recyclable, compostable, and reusable claims on packaging, you can help by:
The Challenge
Consumers need packaging claims that are accurate, understandable, and trustworthy.
Consumers and businesses should not face different definitions of “recyclable,” “compostable,” and “reusable” depending on the state in which a product is sold. Yet differing state requirements are creating conflicting rules for identical products distributed across the country.
These conflicting requirements can force companies to redesign labels, conduct duplicative legal and regulatory reviews, modify production processes, and manage different packaging versions for the same nationally distributed product. They can also make it more difficult to provide consumers with clear and consistent information about how packaging should be managed after use.
The Solution
The PACK Act would establish a federal framework for recyclable, compostable, and reusable claims on consumer-product packaging.
Covered claims would need to reflect real-world collection, processing, composting, or reuse conditions and be supported by certification from an accredited independent third-party body.
The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the requirements as consumer protections against unfair or deceptive claims. Independent certification would help protect consumers and responsible businesses from misleading or unsubstantiated environmental claims, often referred to as greenwashing.
Companies would remain free not to make recyclable, compostable, or reusable claims. The PACK Act would govern the accuracy of these claims only when a company chooses to make them.
State and local governments would be preempted from imposing different requirements governing these specific claims.
Consumers Look to the Package for Answers
of consumers look at recycling information on a product or product label to help ensure an item ends up in the right place.
check the product label before disposing of an item when they are unsure whether it is recyclable.
trust that the recycling information provided on a product label is accurate.
These findings underscore the importance of providing consumers with clear, accurate, and reliable information at the point when they are deciding what to do with packaging.
Source: The Recycling Partnership, Consumer Research on Recycling Behavior and Attitudes Regarding On-Pack Labeling. National research conducted in June 2021 among 1,310 U.S. consumers with access to recycling services.
Why the PACK Act Matters
Consumer Clarity
Give consumers more accurate and trustworthy information about claims of recyclable, compostable, and reusable packaging.
Protection Against Greenwashing
Require covered claims to be supported by accredited independent third-party certification.
Business Certainty
Give companies a more consistent framework for communicating across state lines.
Interstate Commerce
Reduce the operational complexity created by differing state requirements for nationally distributed products.
Real-World Accuracy
Connect claims to actual collection, processing, composting, or reuse conditions.
Packaging Innovation
Allow businesses to focus resources on developing effective packaging solutions rather than managing conflicting requirements.
PACK Act at a Glance
Claims Remain Voluntary
The PACK Act would not require a company to claim that its packaging is recyclable, compostable, or reusable. Federal requirements would apply only when a company voluntarily chooses to make one of these claims.
Accredited Third-Party Certification
A recyclable, compostable, or reusable claim on consumer-product packaging would need to be certified by an accredited independent third-party body.
Consumer-Product Packaging
The certification requirement would apply to packaging for consumer products and account for differences in packaging material, type, shape, size, and color. Packaging that is not for a consumer product would not be subject to the mandatory certification requirement.
Federal Trade Commission Enforcement
The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the requirements as protections against unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
EPA and Industry Input
The legislation directs the FTC to work with the Environmental Protection Agency and establish an advisory council that includes technical experts from across the packaging value chain.
Focused State Preemption
State and local governments would be preempted from establishing or enforcing different requirements governing the recyclable, compostable, and reusable claims addressed by the legislation.
Why Organizations Support the PACK Act
Organizations across the packaging value chain support the PACK Act because it would:
- Protect consumers from inaccurate or misleading claims.
- Establish a federal framework for recyclable, compostable, and reusable packaging claims.
- Require accredited independent third-party certification.
- Reduce conflicting requirements for nationally distributed products.
- Support practical packaging policy informed by real-world recovery conditions.
- Give companies the choice of whether to make a covered claim.
Supported Across the Packaging Value Chain
PACK Act Resources
PACK Act Overview and FAQs
Letters of Support
Organizations across the packaging value chain are sharing why they support the PACK Act.
News and Media
Follow the latest PACK Act developments, announcements, and industry coverage.
AMERIPEN Announcements
Stay up to date on AMERIPEN’s latest PACK Act advocacy, congressional developments, and opportunities to engage.
Congressional Hearing Highlights Need for National Framework for Packaging Claims
July 22, 2026
AMERIPEN welcomed the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing on the PACK Act and highlighted the need for accurate, independently verified packaging claims and greater consistency across state lines.
Take Action: Help Advance the PACK Act
July 15, 2026
Learn why AMERIPEN is urging organizations across the packaging value chain to engage Congress and help advance a federal framework for recyclable, compostable, and reusable packaging claims.
Selected Coverage
Recycling Today | July 24, 2026
House subcommittee hears testimony on 2 recycling bills
Packaging Dive | July 23, 2026
Federal labeling, recycled content bills spotlighted in congressional hearing
Packaging Strategies | July 22, 2026
Congressional Hearing Explores Harmonized National Approach to Packaging Claims
Albany Herald | July 21, 2026
Congress weighs packaging bill with implications for Albany manufacturers
Packaging Digest | July 20, 2026
Why You Should Support the PACK Act
Questions?
For questions about the PACK Act or how your organization can support it, contact Danielle Waterfield, AMERIPEN Policy Director and General Counsel, at daniellew@ameripen.org.