Truth in Labeling Act of 2026

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Requires clear, national labels for recyclable, compostable, reusable, and refillable products.

This bill would create national standards for how products are labeled as recyclable, compostable, reusable, or refillable. It aims to reduce consumer confusion and ensure companies use accurate labels, making it easier for people to properly sort their waste. Companies would face penalties for using misleading labels on packaging, food service items, and beverage containers.

What Would Change

Currently, there are many different and often confusing labels on products regarding recycling, composting, reuse, and refillability, leading to consumer uncertainty and inconsistent waste sorting. If this bill passes, there would be national, standardized labels and clear government-defined rules for what can be labeled as such. These would be enforced by the EPA and FTC, making it easier for consumers to understand how to properly dispose of or reuse items.

Key Provisions

Requires the EPA and FTC to create national standards for labels on packaging, food service products, and beverage containers.
Bans companies from using misleading symbols or statements, like the chasing arrows, on products. This applies to items not truly recyclable, compostable, reusable, or refillable under the new standards.
Sets specific criteria for a product to be labeled "recyclable," including being collected by programs covering at least 60% of consumers and having a responsible end market.
Sets specific criteria for a product to be labeled "compostable," including adhering to certain breakdown standards and being accepted by at least 50% of U.S. composting programs.
Requires all plastic packaging, food service products, and beverage containers to be labeled with a resin identification code. This code may not be inside a chasing arrows symbol unless specific conditions are met.

View on Congress.gov

S 5302 · 119th Congress · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 10/10

Truth in Labeling Act of 2026

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity