PACK Act and RMAA Get First Committee Hearing; No Markup Scheduled

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade held its legislative hearing on July 22, 2026. The PACK Act (H.R. 6832), which would create FTC-administered federal labeling standards, and the Recycled Materials Attribution Act (H.R. 7502) were 2 of 12 bills on a broad consumer protection docket rather than the subjects of a dedicated packaging hearing. John Hewitt of the Consumer Brands Association and the Recycling Leadership Council testified in support of both; John Breyault of the National Consumers League opposed both, arguing the PACK Act would preempt state labeling standards without a strong federal baseline and that the RMAA would legitimize mass balance accounting. No markup, vote, or next step was announced, and both bills remain referred to committee with no action recorded. Producers should note the preemption design: as described by supporters, states would be barred from requirements that differ from the federal framework, which is field preemption rather than a federal floor. The California law the PACK Act would displace, SB 343, is itself currently enjoined. Source: House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing docket, EventID 119489; Packaging Dive (July 23, 2026).