House BillHR 6832Fraud offenses and financial crimesAdministrative law and regulatory procedures
PACK Act
INTRO DEC 17· LAST ACTION SEP 16
READING
9MIN
COSPONSORS
18
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 3 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it directly addresses the problem of 'greenwashing,' where companies make vague or misleading environmental claims about their products and packaging. Currently, consumers can be confused by labels, leading them to mistakenly try to recycle or compost items that aren't accepted, which can contaminate waste streams or lead to unnecessary waste. If this bill becomes law, it would provide consumers with more reliable information, helping them make genuinely eco-friendlier choices and improve the effectiveness of recycling and composting efforts.
If the bill doesn't pass, the current, less stringent system for environmental marketing claims would remain, potentially allowing greenwashing to continue and consumer confusion to persist. By requiring specific qualifications and third-party certification, the bill aims to restore trust in environmental claims and ensure that companies are held accountable for what they print on their packaging, fostering fairer competition among businesses genuinely committed to sustainability.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Prohibits deceptive claims regarding recyclability, compostability, and reusability of consumer product packaging.
This ensures that companies cannot falsely market their packaging as environmentally friendly, addressing greenwashing.
PROVISION 02
Requires specific qualifications for recyclable claims, such as indicating the percentage of consumers or communities with access to recycling programs for the packaging.
This provides consumers with practical information about whether they can actually recycle a product in their area, preventing frustration and improper disposal.
PROVISION 03
Mandates that all claims about packaging being compostable, recyclable, or reusable must be certified by an accredited third-party organization.
Third-party certification adds a layer of independent verification, increasing the credibility and trustworthiness of environmental claims.
PROVISION 04
Changes the use of resin identification codes (the chasing arrows symbol) so that packaging not truly compostable, recyclable, or reusable cannot bear the symbol with chasing arrows.
This aims to prevent consumer confusion caused by the chasing arrows symbol being used on packaging that isn't actually recyclable in practice.
PROVISION 05
Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue guidance for compliance, work with the EPA, and establish an advisory council, though it explicitly prohibits the FTC from issuing binding rules under this section.
This provides direction for how companies should meet the new requirements and leverages expertise from different agencies and stakeholders, but limits the FTC's regulatory power.
This bill matters because it directly addresses the problem of 'greenwashing,' where companies make vague or misleading environmental claims about their products and packaging. Currently, consumers can be confused by labels, leading them to mistakenly try to recycle or compost items that aren't accepted, which can contaminate waste streams or lead to unnecessary waste. If this bill becomes law, it would provide consumers with more reliable information, helping them make genuinely eco-friendlier choices and improve the effectiveness of recycling and composting efforts.
If the bill doesn't pass, the current, less stringent system for environmental marketing claims would remain, potentially allowing greenwashing to continue and consumer confusion to persist. By requiring specific qualifications and third-party certification, the bill aims to restore trust in environmental claims and ensure that companies are held accountable for what they print on their packaging, fostering fairer competition among businesses genuinely committed to sustainability.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Prohibits deceptive claims regarding recyclability, compostability, and reusability of consumer product packaging.
This ensures that companies cannot falsely market their packaging as environmentally friendly, addressing greenwashing.
high
Requires specific qualifications for recyclable claims, such as indicating the percentage of consumers or communities with access to recycling programs for the packaging.
This provides consumers with practical information about whether they can actually recycle a product in their area, preventing frustration and improper disposal.
high
Mandates that all claims about packaging being compostable, recyclable, or reusable must be certified by an accredited third-party organization.
Third-party certification adds a layer of independent verification, increasing the credibility and trustworthiness of environmental claims.
med
Changes the use of resin identification codes (the chasing arrows symbol) so that packaging not truly compostable, recyclable, or reusable cannot bear the symbol with chasing arrows.
This aims to prevent consumer confusion caused by the chasing arrows symbol being used on packaging that isn't actually recyclable in practice.
med
Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue guidance for compliance, work with the EPA, and establish an advisory council, though it explicitly prohibits the FTC from issuing binding rules under this section.
This provides direction for how companies should meet the new requirements and leverages expertise from different agencies and stakeholders, but limits the FTC's regulatory power.
Treated as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or deceptive act or practice prescribed under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (implying standard FTC civil enforcement actions and potential fines)
Any person (company) that violates this section
GLOSSARY
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Federal Trade Commission Act
A U.S. law that established the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and outlines its powers to promote consumer protection and prevent anti-competitive business practices.
Recyclable Claim
A statement on packaging that suggests the material can be collected, processed, and used to make new products.
Compostable Claim
A statement on packaging that suggests the material can break down into organic material without leaving toxic residue when composted.
Reusable Claim
A statement on packaging that suggests the material can be refilled or used multiple times for its original purpose or a similar one.
Resin Identification Code
A number, often inside a triangular symbol (like the chasing arrows), that identifies the type of plastic resin used in a product or packaging. This bill would restrict the use of the chasing arrows version for non-recyclable items.
Third-Party Certification Body
An independent organization that assesses and confirms whether a product, process, or service meets specific standards, such as environmental claims for packaging.
Unfair or Deceptive Act or Practice
ACTION TIMELINE
9 EVENTS
SEP 16
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
COMMITTEE
SEP 16
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 0.
COMMITTEE
SEP 1
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
COMMITTEE
SEP 1
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
