Recycled Materials Attribution Act of 2026

This bill aims to prevent consumers from being misled by recycled content claims when products are advertised, marketed, sold, or offered for sale. It explicitly permits the use of mass balance accounting , a chain-of-custody methodology, as a valid way to substantiate these claims, provided it adheres to a third-party certification system . The bill defines "recycled content" to include both pre-consumer and post-consumer materials recovered through mechanical or non-mechanical recycling processes, but it specifically excludes fuels from being marketed as "recycled content." The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is mandated to update its "Green Guides" within one year to align with the bill's definitions and standards, including the authorization of mass balance accounting. The FTC must also issue additional guidance to establish a clear framework for accurate recycled content claims. Violations of the prohibition on misleading claims will be treated as unfair or deceptive acts under the Federal Trade Commission Act, granting the FTC full enforcement powers. Furthermore, the bill preempts any conflicting state or local laws regarding these prohibitions and enforcement, establishing uniform federal standards.