On September 1, 2026, the US Packaging and Claims Knowledge Act (PACK Act, H.R. 6832) advanced through the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee, moving to full committee review.
The bill would amend the Federal Trade Commission Act to create a unified federal framework for “recyclable,” “compostable,” and “reusable” claims on consumer product packaging, replacing the current state-by-state patchwork. It adopts a “voluntary claims, mandatory certification” approach: companies are not required to make environmental claims, but if they do, the claims must be supported by competent and reliable third-party certification. Non-qualifying packaging would be prohibited from bearing the chasing-arrows recycling symbol.
The bill has gained support from the US Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, Consumer Brands Association, and companies including PepsiCo, Nestlé, General Mills, and Kraft Heinz.
For brands and packaging buyers exporting to the US, this means environmental claims are no longer merely marketing language – they must withstand verification. This echoes the EU PPWR's strengthening of third-party certification, as both major markets tighten scrutiny and certification assets shift from a “nice-to-have” to a “must-have.”
Starpack holds international certifications including EU EN 13432, US BPI, and OK Compost, issued by qualified third-party bodies. For clients making “compostable” claims in the US market, Starpack's BPI certification serves as valid evidence of meeting third-party certification requirements.
The PACK Act still requires full committee vote, House passage, and Senate consideration, but the direction is clear: packaging environmental claims regulation is moving toward unification, certification, and verifiability.
