HB7502, the Recycled Materials Attribution Act of 2026, would create federal standards governing when companies may make recycled content claims in advertising, marketing, and sales. The bill defines key terms such as recycled content, post-consumer material, pre-consumer material, recycling, mass balance accounting, and third-party certification, and it expressly recognizes mass balance accounting as an acceptable way to substantiate recycled content claims if it is used within an approved third-party certification system.
The bill also prohibits misleading recycled content claims and bars fuels produced and sold as an end product from being marketed as recycled content. It directs the Federal Trade Commission to update its Green Guides within one year and to issue additional guidance consistent with the bill’s definitions and standards. Violations would be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the FTC Act, giving the FTC enforcement authority and associated penalties.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would establish a uniform federal framework for recycled content and related environmental marketing claims, affecting manufacturers, marketers, retailers, certifiers, and consumers. It would preempt state and local laws, rules, and standards that relate to the bill’s prohibition and enforcement provisions, while preserving other federal laws except where expressly changed. The bill would also require the FTC to align its Green Guides with the new statutory standards and to treat violations as FTC Act violations.
Sentiment
The bill appears generally supportive of industry use of recycled content claims while also aiming to curb deceptive marketing. Its bipartisan sponsorship suggests broad interest in creating a clearer national standard for recycled materials attribution. No committee transcript or vote data is available here, so there is no recorded floor or committee debate to indicate stronger opposition or support beyond the bill’s text and sponsorship.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely to be the bill’s recognition of mass balance accounting as a valid method for recycled content claims, provided it is backed by third-party certification. Critics of mass balance approaches may view this as too permissive or as allowing recycled content claims that are less directly traceable to a specific product, while supporters may see it as necessary for modern supply chains and chemical or advanced recycling systems. Another possible issue is the broad federal preemption clause, which could limit state efforts to impose stricter recycled-content marketing rules.