Recycled product labeling
Last year California passed a law altering how companies are able to label for recyclability.
While companies have historically turned to Federal Trade Commission guidance on standards for labeling products as recyclable, California’s new law will set entirely different standards for the use of the chasing arrow symbol.
Specifically, the National Law Review says California will require a material characterization study to be submitted by the beginning of 2024 so the state can determine what products and packaging can use the chasing arrows recycling symbol.
The law also sets criteria for other sustainable packaging claims, like recyclable.
Felton said this law may cause friction for some companies, with more than 30 laws nationally requiring the chasing arrows symbol and resin identification code on packaging.
“You've got the cosmetics industry already doing that, and now you have California potentially saying you can't do that anymore,” Felton said. “That means California has a different way to label things than 49 other states in the US, which could be a very big problem for some brand owners.”
