Through TLMI’s dedicated committees, the association has long served as a hub for knowledge and networking in the label and package printing industry. TLMI’s Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs (RAC) Committees have been instrumental in preparing members for upcoming changes that will impact their businesses.

TLMI has often advocated for its members. This includes policy shifts and equipping companies to stay resilient and informed, noted Linnea Keen, president and CEO, TLMI. The return of printTHINK Summit, which kicked off on June 11, 2025, welcomed members seeking more information on legislation and tariffs.

Inland’s Mark Glendenning and Pace LLC’s Bryan Vickers hosted the opening session, entitled, “Coffee & Clarity: TLMI’s Vision, Tariffs & Legislative Outlook.” Here, these experts delved into legislative developments occurring on Capitol Hill.

“We’re excited, happy, and proud to be in the label industry because it’s a wonderful industry, and it’s changed so much,” stated Glendenning. “Having Bryan (Vickers) here with us and the power of RAC behind our industry is critically important. This is especially true since we’re made up of so many family businesses. We’re focused on everything from tax issues and sustainability to other regulations affecting our customers and the products we produce. That’s why there’s huge power being part of this organization.

“We have such a great strategic plan,” added Glendenning. “I want to make sure I’m here to help foster that collaboration of where TLMI has been and where we’re going. We’re really excited about the future, and we want to create value deep into companies.”

Position on Tariffs

TLMI released a statement on tariffs in 2019. “We didn’t want to be anti-tariff or pro-tariff,” explained Vickers. “We looked at in 2019 as an opportunity to engage. This is about fairness and due process. While the politics of tariffs have changed a bit, from a business perspective you have to understand why a tariff is being used. The landscape is a lot different now, especially with respect to tariffs.

“There is a hesitancy to push back against them,” continued Vickers. “We have been hopeful to see a tariff exclusion process, but that’s not been made available and that’s probably not forthcoming. We’re going with the direction the administration goes, whether that’s with China, EU, or the United Kingdom. There will be deadlines approaching at the end of June, and hopefully they will be extended because we’re not closer to a deal. A 10% tariff on the EU is not small if you’re bringing in an expensive piece of equipment from that region. We’ve seen aluminum and steel tariffs double, and that’s across all countries, including Canada and Mexico. More certainty would be better because uncertainty is what we have for the most part now.”

Despite a 145% tariff for the majority of April, Chinese exports increased by 36%. However, this figure includes orders likely placed in March. The order is not assessed until it reaches the ports and customers. Meanwhile, the May data will tell the industry more on the impact of tariffs.

The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act, part of the recently approved “One Big Beautiful Bill,” is great news for TLMI members. The TLMI Workforce Committee has spent considerable time looking into ways to expand the workforce. “Being able to use a traditional 529 fund will help, and it doesn’t cost anything,” said Vickers.

Sustainability

From a sustainability standpoint, 12 states have introduced legislation on EPR for packaging in 2025. Meanwhile seven EPR for Packaging bills have passed in the US. New York and New Jersey are still considering EPR legislation, however, it is less likely to pass this session.

Vickers also detailed Prop 65 – California’s Consumer Notification Program. According to Vickers, long-awaited changes in the Prop 65 Consumer warning notices were approved and took effect in May. Businesses will have three years (January 1, 2028) to comply with the new short-form and other requirements. Products manufactured and labeled prior to that date will not have to be relabeled, though. Prop 65 will largely be enforced through civil lawsuits, brought on by public enforcers or private individuals.

Suppliers of any covered chemical under Prop 65 should provide ample notice and information through their supply chain and document all information on warnings sent.

More details on the impact of sustainable legislation can be found on TLMI Community.