NAM-Supported PACK Act Advances in House
A measure that would help both consumers and manufacturers by creating uniform standards for recycling claims and packaging labels is one step closer to becoming law following NAM advocacy this week.
What’s going on: The bipartisan Packaging and Claims Knowledge (PACK) Act advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday, clearing its way to consideration by the full House of Representatives. The legislation “would establish a uniform federal framework grounded in longstanding Federal Trade Commission consumer protection principles for key environmental marketing claims,” the NAM told committee leadership on Tuesday.
- “A uniform national standard for recyclable, compostable and reusable claims on consumer packaging will provide manufacturers with the certainty and clarity they need to compete across state lines,” the NAM continued.
- Manufacturers have long supported the PACK Act.
Why it’s important: Confusing, sometimes contradictory state requirements for labeling, definitions and environmental claims make manufacturer-to-consumer sustainability communication more difficult and ultimately raise consumer prices.
- They can also result in legal uncertainty for manufacturers and “may lead to packaging being discarded rather than recycled, undermining participation in recycling programs,” according to the NAM.
The final say: “Establishing a consistent federal standard will allow companies to confidently invest in more recyclable, compostable and reusable packaging while simultaneously reducing compliance burdens and alleviating consumer confusion,” said NAM Vice President of Domestic Policy Chris Phalen and NAM Director of Chemicals, Materials and Sustainability Policy Reagan Giesenschlag.
