State AGs Warn Corporations on Antitrust and Consumer Protection

FL Attorney General News Releases

Filed February 10th, 2026

Detected February 11th, 2026

Summary

A coalition of 10 State Attorneys General, led by Florida AG Uthmeier, has issued notices to nearly 80 corporations involved with the U.S. Plastics Pact, Consumer Goods Forum, or Sustainable Packaging Coalition. The AGs warn that these companies' participation in initiatives setting production and packaging targets may violate antitrust and consumer protection laws.

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What changed

Ten State Attorneys General have issued letters of notice to approximately 80 corporations that are members of the U.S. Plastics Pact, the Consumer Goods Forum, or the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. The AGs allege that these groups' practices, such as setting uniform production and packaging targets and dictating material choices, may constitute violations of antitrust and consumer protection laws by reducing competition, limiting consumer choice, and degrading product quality. The letters warn that continued participation could lead to antitrust liability and that the AGs may seek further information via subpoenas.

Corporations receiving these notices are required to provide a response explaining the legal basis for their involvement and demonstrating that it does not violate antitrust or consumer protection laws. This action signals a heightened scrutiny of industry-wide environmental initiatives and their potential anticompetitive effects. Companies should review their participation in such groups and be prepared to justify their actions to state regulators, as non-compliance could result in legal action and penalties.

Source document (simplified)

Attorney General James Uthmeier Leads Multi-State Coalition Putting Corporations on Notice Over Involvement with Anticompetitive Environmental Groups

View PDF Release Date Feb 10, 2026 Contact Communications Phone (850) 245-0150 TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier issued a letter of notice to the nearly 80 corporations that are associated with the U.S. Plastics Pact, the Consumer Goods Forum, or the Sustainable Packaging Coalition for their involvement in practices that potentially violate antitrust and consumer protection laws.

“Multiple advocacy organizations have pressured companies into artificially changing the output and quality of their goods and services in way that normal market forces would not otherwise bring about,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “These groups were warned that their activity presents serious conflicts with antitrust and consumer protection laws, and advocacy for a particular agenda is not a basis to mislead consumers.”

These notices follow letters sent on October 29, 2025, led by Attorney General Uthmeier and joined by a multistate coalition of attorneys general to the U.S. Plastics Pact, the Consumer Goods Forum, and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, raising grave concerns that the policies, targets, and compliance frameworks promoted by these organizations may violate the Sherman Act, state antitrust laws, and applicable consumer protection laws.

The new letters were sent directly to the companies identified as current members of one of these major environmental groups, notifying them that continued participation in or coordination with the initiatives may expose them to antitrust liability.

The letters explain that by setting uniform production and packaging targets and dictating which materials are deemed “recyclable,” these groups may be reducing competition, limiting consumer choice, and degrading product quality.

Attorney General Uthmeier also highlights that similar industry initiatives were previously abandoned after significant antitrust violation concerns were raised. Additionally, the companies are warned that the attorneys general may seek additional information through subpoenas and other compulsory legal processes.

Each letter recipient is asked to provide a response explaining the legal basis for which their involvement with the environmental groups does not present any antitrust or consumer practice violations.

To read the full letter, click here.