Sponsors (13)
The Act creates a single federal standard and third‑party certification to make recycled‑content claims clearer and more traceable—benefiting consumers and simplifying national compliance—but does so at the cost of added compliance expenses (especially for small businesses and recyclers), reduced state flexibility, and potential exclusions that could blunt some reuse or labeling practices.
Consumers (buyers) get clearer, verifiable recycled‑content and recyclability labels because the Act sets federal definitions and requires third‑party certification and auditable chain‑of‑custody, reducing deceptive 'greenwashing'.
Manufacturers, sellers, and supply chains gain a uniform federal definition and an accepted mass‑balance accounting framework that simplifies nationwide compliance and lets complex supply chains make scalable recycled‑content claims.
Independent third‑party certification and required auditable accounting increase traceability and accountability for recycled‑content claims, while a one‑year FTC guidance timeline and a severability clause provide regulatory certainty and reduce disruption if part of the law is challenged.
Manufacturers, especially small businesses and recyclers, will face new compliance costs (third‑party certification fees, audits, label changes and administrative burdens) that may raise product prices for consumers.
Smaller recyclers and certification bodies may be priced or administratively squeezed out by certification and verification requirements, reducing competition and harming small suppliers.
Preemption of state and local rules removes the ability of states or cities to adopt stronger or more tailored labeling and enforcement approaches, potentially weakening protections where state law was stricter.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Sets federal definitions and standards allowing certified mass-balance accounting for recycled-content claims, bans misleading recycled-content marketing, requires FTC guidance update, and preempts state laws on the same subject.
Official title: To prohibit a person from making a misleading recycled content claim in advertising, marketing, selling, or offering for sale a product to a consumer, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 11, 2026 by Nicholas A. Langworthy · Last progress February 11, 2026
Creates a single federal standard for recycled-content and recycling claims by defining key terms, allowing mass-balance accounting when certified by an independent third party, banning misleading recycled-content marketing (including for fuels), and giving the FTC authority to enforce violations and update its Green Guides within one year. The law also preempts state and local rules on the same subject so the federal standards are uniform nationwide.