California's Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB 707), the first extended producer responsibility law for textiles in the United States, requires producers to register by July 1, 2026. Companies defined as producers under the law must register with the designated Producer Responsibility Organization. This law marks a major shift for the apparel industry and introduces significant changes to how textile waste is managed in California.
Updated guidance on the closed loop packaging waste exemption under the UK's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging scheme. The update includes changes to the page title, the process for registering for closed loop packaging waste, registration fees, and registration deadlines. The regulations are now in force, allowing producers managing closed loop recycling systems to apply for exemption from standard EPR disposal fees.
Maryland Department of the Environment has published a compliance guide for COMAR 26.04.14 Packaging and Paper Products - Producer Responsibility regulations. The guide provides detailed information on how producers of covered materials must comply with Maryland's EPR requirements, including registration, reporting, and fee obligations. Producers operating in Maryland should consult this guide alongside the official regulations to ensure compliance with the state's packaging EPR program.
The Washington Department of Ecology released draft rule language for Chapter 173-950 WAC implementing the Recycling Reform Act (Chapter 70A.208 RCW). The draft includes sections on purpose (173-950-010), applicability (173-950-020), definitions (173-950-030), producer duties (173-950-100), and individual producer plan requirements (173-950-110). The rule committee meeting on May 27, 2026 reviewed the draft language. According to the published timeline, the proposed rule (CR-102) is estimated for October 2027 with final adoption (CR-103) in April 2028 and an effective date of May 2028. The EPR program will require producers of residential packaging and paper products to join and fund a nonprofit Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), with recycling service provider cost reimbursements beginning in 2030.
The Washington State Department of Ecology published the rulemaking timeline for WAC-173-950 under the Recycling Reform Act. Draft rule language covering producer duties (WAC-173-950-100), individual producer plan requirements (WAC-173-950-110), applicability, and definitions was presented at the May 27, 2026 rule committee meeting. Key estimated milestones include: proposed rule filing (CR-102) in October 2027, public hearings in December 2027, end of public comment period in December 2027, and rule effectiveness in May 2028. The rule will implement the packaging EPR program established by SB 5284.
The U.S. EPA updated its Extended Battery Producer Responsibility (EPR) Framework webpage (last updated May 12, 2026) describing ongoing development—alongside the U.S. Department of Energy—of a voluntary national battery EPR framework (mandated for development under federal infrastructure legislation). While not a binding regulation, the framework can influence state EPR program design and producer stewardship expectations (e.g., reporting, collection models, financing, performance goals). Battery producers and downstream manufacturers should track framework evolution and engagement opportunities as it may shape future EPR alignment and market expectations.
CalRecycle’s SB 54 Producer Guidance communicates the producer compliance pathway and reiterates near-term timing tied to SB 54 regulations becoming effective May 1, 2026. The guidance indicates producers have until June 1, 2026 to take one of the required compliance actions (e.g., join a PRO plan, submit an independent producer application, or claim a small producer exemption) and references use of CalRecycle’s portal (PEPRS) for submissions (e.g., baseline/annual reporting and related program deliverables). Compliance teams should treat this as regulator guidance for immediate onboarding and submission readiness under SB 54.
CalRecycle updated/maintains producer-facing guidance for California’s SB 54 packaging EPR program stating that SB 54 regulations are effective May 1, 2026, and that producers must take a required compliance action by June 1, 2026 (e.g., apply for participation in a PRO plan, submit an independent producer application, or seek a small-producer exemption, as described on the guidance page). Compliance teams selling covered packaging/single-use food service ware into California should align internal readiness and submissions to the May 1, 2026 effective date and the June 1, 2026 action deadline outlined by CalRecycle.
PackUK has published its first Producer Fee Modulation Policy Statement for the UK Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) scheme. The policy establishes a clear 3-year framework that adjusts producer fees based on packaging recyclability, as assessed through the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM). This represents a significant step in incentivizing environmentally sustainable packaging design across the UK, with fees modulated to reward recyclable packaging and discourage hard-to-recycle materials.
Under UK Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging, the first mandatory report is for 2026 data and is due by April 1, 2027. Organizations must collect nation data showing where packaging is supplied and discarded within the UK. This represents the first full mandatory reporting year under the UK packaging EPR framework following the initial interim reporting periods.
The UK government updated its official guidance page explaining who is affected by packaging EPR and what regulated entities must do (update date April 20, 2026). This guidance is used operationally by producers and compliance schemes to interpret obligations such as registration, ongoing status changes (e.g., notifying the regulator if you stop being a producer), and use of compliance scheme registers. Compliance teams should review the updated guidance and adjust internal procedures and communications with compliance schemes accordingly.
GOV.UK updated its guidance on how obligated producers must collect and manage packaging data for the UK packaging EPR scheme. The update reiterates recordkeeping and evidence-retention expectations (including multi-year retention) and explains how reporting timelines vary by producer size. It also flags compliance consequences: from 1 Jan 2026, PackUK may issue a notice of liability where it believes an obligated producer has not registered and/or reported, including described lookback periods. Compliance teams should confirm internal data controls, retention processes, and timely registration/reporting readiness for 2026.
Colorado CDPHE indicates it is proposing changes to its solid waste regulations to update (inflation-adjust) the dollar threshold used to exempt producers from Colorado’s Producer Responsibility Program. If adopted, the change could shift which producers are exempt vs. obligated (registration/participation, reporting, and dues). Compliance teams should monitor the rulemaking materials referenced on CDPHE’s program page and assess whether exemption status may change with the updated threshold.
The European Commission published comprehensive guidelines for the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) implementation on March 30, 2026. The guidance clarifies when a company is considered a manufacturer or producer, which items constitute packaging, restrictions on single-use packaging, Extended Producer Responsibility obligations, and Deposit Return System requirements. PPWR enters general application on August 12, 2026.
PackUK has published its first Producer Fee Modulation Policy Statement for the UK's packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) scheme. The policy establishes a 3-year framework adjusting producer fees based on packaging recyclability assessed through the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) using RAG ratings. Starting from the 2026-2027 financial year, the policy applies escalating modulation factors (1.2x in Year 1, 1.6x in Year 2, 2.0x in Year 3) to incentivize sustainable packaging design.
The UK government has appointed UK Packaging PRO as the producer-led Producer Responsibility Organisation to deliver the Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging scheme. The PRO will work alongside PackUK (scheme administrator) to manage producer obligations, fee collection, and waste management responsibilities. Producers must register with the PRO to comply with EPR requirements. The PRO represents over 100 UK brands, retailers, and trade bodies and will invest approximately £1.4 billion in Year 1 of the scheme.
UK Packaging PRO has been formally appointed as the Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) to deliver the UK's Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) for packaging scheme. The formal appointment commenced on April 1, 2026, with responsibilities introduced gradually. The pEPR scheme provides £1.4 billion in Year 1 funding to local authorities to improve packaging waste collection and recycling while incentivizing producers to reduce their material footprint. PackUK will maintain oversight of the PRO and ensure accountability to the UK's four nations.
PackUK’s producer disposal fees modulation statement (updated 17 Feb 2026) sets the method for modulating household packaging waste disposal fees based on recyclability ratings (RAM red/amber/green). It confirms modulation begins in year 2, with the first modulated fees applying to assessment year 2026–2027 and calculated using 2025 supplied packaging data. The statement provides modulation factors (e.g., red factors increasing across 2026–27 to 2028–29) and explains the premium/discount redistribution mechanism (red premiums funding green discounts; amber unchanged), including treatment details for certain packaging types (e.g., medical packaging). Producers should prepare packaging design/recyclability strategies and data readiness aligned to the 2025 data year feeding 2026–27 fees.
PackUK has published the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) 2027, establishing the standardized methodology that large producers obligated under the UK Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging scheme must use to assess and report the recyclability of household packaging they supply for the 2027 reporting year (January 1 to December 31, 2027). RAM 1.1 continues to apply for the 2026 reporting period. The methodology incentivizes use of more recyclable materials by making producers incur higher disposal costs under the EPR scheme if less recyclable materials are used.
An Oregon court dismissed multiple claims against the state's Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, which establishes extended producer responsibility requirements for packaging. The judicial decision supports continued implementation of the EPR program, reinforcing regulatory certainty for producers subject to Oregon's packaging producer responsibility obligations.