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119-hr-6832119th CongressWALLET

PACK Act

Sponsored By: Representative Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]

In Committee

Summary

Accurate packaging claims are required. The bill bans misleading statements that product packaging is recyclable, compostable, or reusable and builds rules for certification and FTC enforcement.

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  • Consumers and households will see clearer on-pack disclosures that explain local access to recycling or composting or state the share of communities with access so shoppers know if a claim applies where they live.
  • Manufacturers and brands must get accredited third-party certification to make recyclable, compostable, or reusable claims, follow new qualification rules, and face restrictions on using chasing-arrow resin codes; an exemption applies only when at least 60% of customers have access and the full packaging is recyclable.
  • States and federal regulators must work from FTC guidance and an advisory council, and states cannot impose non-identical labeling rules, which creates a single federal standard for these claims.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.

FTC guidance, council, and state preemption

If enacted, the FTC would need to set up an advisory council within one year and issue guidance within two years on accreditation and labeling details. The FTC must work with the EPA for that guidance. The bill would also block states from having rules that differ from these federal requirements and would bar the FTC from forcing people to make packaging claims or issuing binding rules under this section.

Limits on compostable packaging claims

If enacted, compostable claims would need a clear qualifying description when home composting is not safe or timely. A qualifier is also required when the claim would mislead about landfill benefit or when composting facilities are not available to 60% or more of buyers. The qualifier must be used only to the extent needed to inform consumers.

Limits on the chasing-arrows resin symbol

If enacted, packaging that cannot lawfully claim compostable, recyclable, or reusable could not use the chasing-arrows resin symbol. Those products could use a resin code inside a plain equilateral triangle consistent with ASTM D7611/D7611M-19 instead. The change aims to prevent consumers from being misled by familiar recycling imagery.

New rules for recyclable packaging claims

If enacted, recyclable claims would need a clear, prominent qualification about local recycling availability. Businesses could show the percent of consumers or communities with access to recycling, or use graduated availability statements. A claim would not need qualification if 60% or more of buyers have access and the whole package (except minor parts) is recyclable. Packaging could not be called recyclable if a part blocks recyclability or if programs won't accept it because of shape or size.

Rules for claiming packaging is reusable

If enacted, you could not make an unqualified reusable claim unless you provide a real way to reuse the packaging. That means offering a collection and reuse system or selling a product that lets consumers reuse the original packaging. Unqualified reuse claims would therefore require a demonstrable reuse pathway.

Truthful packaging claims and certification

If enacted, the bill would bar any person from saying packaging is recyclable, compostable, or reusable unless it truly meets the statute's definitions. Those claims would need third-party certification by an accredited certification body. Compostable claims would also need competent, reliable scientific evidence. The FTC could enforce violations as unfair or deceptive acts under the FTC Act.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Joyce, John [R-PA-13]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 10/15/2026

  • Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 1/12/2026

  • Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 1/14/2026

  • Rep. Gray, Adam [D-CA-13]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/21/2026

  • Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 2/17/2026

  • Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 2/23/2026

  • Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 2/23/2026

  • Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 3/16/2026

  • Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 4/15/2026

  • Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Steil, Bryan [R-WI-1]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 5/19/2026

  • Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 5/21/2026

  • Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 5/29/2026

  • Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 6/8/2026

  • Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 6/15/2026

  • Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 6/23/2026

  • Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 7/9/2026

  • Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 9/15/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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