Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade (CMT) advanced Congressman Randy Weber’s (TX-14) bipartisan Packaging and Claims Knowledge (PACK) Act (H.R. 6832) to the full Energy and Commerce Committee.
The PACK Act establishes a uniform federal framework governing recyclable, compostable, and reusable claims on consumer product packaging, replacing the growing patchwork of conflicting state requirements that raises costs, complicates interstate commerce, and creates confusion for consumers.
“Whether you’re making a product, stocking a grocery store, or trying to figure out what in the world a label even means, you shouldn’t need fifty different rulebooks,” said Congressman Weber. “The PACK Act cuts through the confusion and brings some good old-fashioned common sense back to the process. If a business chooses to make a recyclable, compostable, or reusable claim, they should have one clear, voluntary federal framework to follow, not a regulatory maze that changes from state to state. That means more certainty for businesses, clearer information for consumers, and fewer costs passed down to hardworking families. The momentum is building, and we’re going to keep pushing until we get this across the finish line.”
During today’s markup, the Subcommittee adopted an amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Congressman Russ Fulcher (ID-01), a cosponsor of the legislation. The amendment further clarified the role of Federal Trade Commission guidance and established minimum requirements for third-party certifications and certification bodies.
"It ends the confusion consumers face when going to the store and seeing different and conflicting environmental claims about the goods they buy and the resultant lower costs for goods and families," said Congressman Fulcher. "I'm proud to co-sponsor this bipartisan bill, along with my friend Mr. Weber of Texas, who I want to thank for his leadership on it."
The legislation has earned support from a broad coalition of manufacturers, retailers, consumer product companies, and trade associations. In a letter to the CMT Subcommittee ahead of the markup, the PACK Act Coalition wrote, “By reducing consumer confusion and enabling informed choices, we believe the PACK Act will promote proper management of packaging materials at end-of-life, diverting them from landfills and advancing a circular economy.”
The coalition includes the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, Consumer Brands Association, American Beverage Association, Consumer Technology Association, General Mills, Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo, Nestlé USA, Keurig Dr Pepper, McCormick & Company, and dozens of additional organizations and companies.
The PACK Act is cosponsored by U.S. Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Russ Fulcher (R-ID), Adam Gray (D-CA), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), David Joyce (R-OH), Nick Langworthy (R-NY), Laurel Lee (R-FL), Addison McDowell (R-NC), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Barry Moore (R-AL), Michael Rulli (R-OH), Bryan Steil (R-WI), Glenn Thompson (R-PA), and Tony Wied (R-WI).
