Federal bill bans misleading recycled-content labels and sets one national standard
In markupH.R. 7502Latest action
Sponsor: Nicholas A. Langworthy · Representative · NY
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Recycled Materials Attribution Act of 2026
119th Congress
Topics: Environment & energy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 7502 bans false recycled-content claims, approves mass balance accounting with third-party verification, and preempts all state labeling laws.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
HR 7502 makes it illegal to falsely or misleadingly claim a product contains recycled materials. It formally approves mass balance accounting, a method that lets manufacturers track recycled materials through complex supply chains where those materials may be mixed with non-recycled ones, provided an independent third-party certifier verifies the claims. Fuels are explicitly excluded from recycled-content labeling even if made using recycled materials.
Who does it affect?
The bill affects manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of products with recycled-content labels, including those in plastics and packaging. Consumers gain stronger protections against misleading green marketing claims on products they purchase.
Why does it matter?
The FTC would be required to enforce the new rules and update its Green Guides within one year to reflect the new standards. The bill overrides all state and local recycled-content labeling laws, replacing them with a single national standard that applies uniformly across every state.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedFeb 11, 2026
- House committeeYou are here · Sep 16, 2026
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 0.