American Coatings Association Endorses ‘Accurate Labels Act’

The American Coatings Association (ACA) endorsed the Accurate Labels Act, a bill intended to push for accurate, accessible and “easy-to-understand” product information, according to its authors.

The bill was introduced in early June and would establish “science-based criteria” for state labeling requirements, ensure product information is “risk-based” and clarify that trace amounts of substances do not need to be listed as ingredients, according to a report by Chemical Watch.

“The bill creates a federal standard to address unfounded and unfair labeling requirements that mislead both consumers and workers,” ACA said in a statement.

The bill comes two months before California’s Proposition 65 is to go into effect, which will require “clear and reasonable warning” labels on products in the state.

“Due to various state laws, items are incorrectly labeled with warnings about harms that do not exist,” Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) said in a statement to Chemical Watch. “This inaccuracy creates confusion and fear for the consumers; desensitizes the public from heeding serious warnings on health risks; and imposes unnecessary and costly regulatory burdens for producers.”

The bill received criticism from environmental and health advocates, including NGO Center for Environmental Health Policy Director Ansje Miller, who, according to Chemical Watch, called it an “underhanded and deceitful attempt by the chemical industry to strike down laws.”