What does Preamble of Recycled Materials Attribution Act of 2026 do?

This bill aims to prohibit individuals from making misleading claims about recycled content in advertising, marketing, selling, or offering products to consumers. The bill is referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Recycled Materials Attribution Act of 2026 do?

This section defines key terms used throughout the Act. “Competent and reliable scientific evidence” requires objective evaluation by an expert, general acceptance in the profession, and sufficient quality to substantiate a claim. “Mass balance accounting” is a methodology for tracking alternative feedstocks in a manufacturing supply chain. “Post-consumer material” refers to material discarded by households or facilities as an end-user. “Pre-consumer material” is material diverted during manufacturing but not yet commercialized, excluding reused materials. “Recycled content” is the quantity of pre-consumer and post-consumer materials used in a new product. “Recycled content claim” includes any statement about a product’s recycled nature. “Recycling” encompasses processes that reprocess materials into raw materials for new products, including mechanical and non-mechanical methods. “Third-party certification” is a written determination by an independent organization verifying that a product meets specified standards. A “third-party certification system” establishes rules for mass balance accounting and independently certifies recycled content claims, ensuring attribution of recovered materials.

What does RECOGNITION OF MASS BALANCE ACCOUNTING FOR RECYCLED CONTENT of Recycled Materials Attribution Act of 2026 do?

Mass balance accounting is accepted for substantiating recycled content claims Use of mass balance accounting must comply with a third-party certification system

What does RECYCLED CONTENT CLAIMS. of Recycled Materials Attribution Act of 2026 do?

This section prohibits advertising, marketing, selling, or offering for sale a product to a consumer using a misleading recycled content claim. Fuels cannot be marketed as 'recycled content' under this Act. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) must update the 'Green Guides' within one year of the Act's enactment to align with the Act's definitions, standards, and authorizations, including mass balance accounting. The FTC must issue guidance establishing mass balance accounting as an acceptable method for substantiating recycled content claims, contingent on compliance with a third-party certification system and reliable scientific evidence. The guidance should create a clear framework for accurate recycled content claims. Guidance issued by the FTC does not confer rights or bind the Commission or any person. Enforcement actions under this Act must be based on specific violations of the Act, not on inconsistencies with FTC guidelines.

What does ENFORCEMENT BY FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. of Recycled Materials Attribution Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes that a violation of section 4(a) is treated as a violation of a regulation under the Federal Trade Commission Act. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is authorized to enforce section 4(a). The FTC will enforce section 4(a) using the same manner, means, jurisdiction, powers, and duties as it does under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Individuals violating section 4(a) are subject to the penalties and entitled to the privileges and immunities provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act.

What does PREEMPTION. of Recycled Materials Attribution Act of 2026 do?

This section preempts state laws related to this Act's prohibition and enforcement provisions States and their subdivisions are prohibited from maintaining certain laws

What does SAVINGS PROVISION. of Recycled Materials Attribution Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes a savings provision stating that if any part of the Act is found invalid, the rest of the Act remains in effect. The Act does not modify, limit, or supersede other federal laws unless explicitly stated. The Act establishes uniform federal standards for recycled content, recycling, and recyclability claims. The Act applies only to the matters expressly addressed within it.

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Recycled Materials Attribution Act of 2026

Last updated: 2/11/2026 · Introduced: 2/11/2026

Author: Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill prohibits making misleading claims about the recycled content of products in advertising and sales, applying to all products except fuels.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) must update its 'Green Guides' and provide guidance accepting mass balance accounting as a method for substantiating recycled content claims, provided it complies with third-party certification and scientific evidence.
The bill preempts state laws that conflict with its provisions regarding misleading recycled content claims and enforcement by the FTC.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, definitions., and 5 more.

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