SB 54 California’s Packaging EPR Regulations – Approval Deadline Missed

Regulations to implement California’s EPR program on product packaging and single-use plastics sold and distributed in California had a deadline of March 8 to move toward final approval with the Office of Administrative Law (OAL). On March 7, the Governor issued a statement directing CalRecycle to wait on submitting proposed regulations to “ensure the law can achieve its goal of cutting plastic pollution and is implemented fairly.”

With the OAL deadline missed, CalRecycle must now start the process again, likely with the last version of the proposed language from December. Although CalRecycle has stated that they are committed to moving forward to approve these regulations, it is unclear when the formal process will begin.

At the March 21 SB 54 Advisory Board meeting, Cal Recycle staff said they were in “listening mode” as the formal process had been halted although staff said they welcomed public comments in this “informal” period. The Advisory Board was established to advise Cal Recycle, Producers, and the Producer Responsibility Organization to implement SB 54 and to advise CalRecycle on barriers and solutions to a circular economy. Advisory Board information and upcoming meetings here.