US-CA-EPRIn force; SB 54 permanent regulations effective 1 May 2026

SB 54 Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (2022); paint stewardship AB 1343; mattress stewardship AB 2308; carpet stewardship AB 2398; battery stewardship AB 2440; sharps; textiles SB 707 (2024)

United States (California) · California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle); Department of Toxic Substances Control for batteries

California runs the most extensive set of state EPR laws in the US, anchored by SB 54 which makes producers of single-use packaging and plastic food service ware fund collection, recycling and source reduction through Circular Action Alliance as the state's sole PRO. Separate laws cover paint, mattresses, carpet, batteries, sharps and (under SB 707) textiles.

Category
Extended Producer Responsibility
Enforcement
Mandatory
Effective date
SB 54 signed 30 June 2022; permanent regulations effective 1 May 2026; full recyclability and 65% recycling rate by 1 January 2032; textiles SB 707 collection by 1 January 2030
Covered entities
Producers of single-use packaging and plastic food service ware sold in California; paint, mattress, carpet, battery, sharps and textile producers under each product-specific stewardship law
Notes
SB 54 requires PRO to pay USD 500 million per year to a Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund from 2027 to 2037. Final regulations approved by OAL on 1 May 2026.

Sources

Verified 2026-04-30

Related regulations

US-CA-SB253

California SB 253 – Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act

United States (California) · California Air Resources Board (CARB)
Enacted (rulemaking in progress)

California law requiring large companies doing business in the state to disclose Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions on a phased schedule. CARB is finalizing implementation rules.

Enforcement
Mandatory
Effective date
First Scope 1 & 2 reports due 2026; Scope 3 from 2027
Covered entities
US companies doing business in California with revenue >$1bn
Primary source ↗Verified 2026-04-30
US-CA-SB261

California SB 261 – Climate-Related Financial Risk Act

United States (California) · California Air Resources Board (CARB)
Enacted (rulemaking in progress)

California law requiring in-scope companies to publish a biennial climate-related financial risk report aligned with the TCFD framework or an equivalent.

Enforcement
Mandatory
Effective date
First report due 1 January 2026
Covered entities
US companies doing business in California with revenue >$500m
Primary source ↗Verified 2026-04-30
In force; PPWR replaces Directive 94/62/EC and applies from 12 August 2026

The EU runs product-specific EPR regimes for packaging, electrical and electronic equipment, batteries, vehicles and single-use plastics, putting collection, recycling and recycled-content obligations on producers placing goods on the single market. The 2025 Packaging Regulation tightens recyclability, reuse and recycled-content rules and applies directly in all Member States from August 2026.

Enforcement
Mandatory
Effective date
PPWR entered into force 11 February 2025, general application 12 August 2026; Battery Regulation entered into force 17 August 2023 with phased obligations through 2027; WEEE Directive in force since 2012; SUP Directive transposition deadline 3 July 2021
Covered entities
Producers, importers and distributors placing packaging, EEE, batteries, vehicles or single-use plastic products on the EU market, regardless of material or origin
Primary source ↗Verified 2026-04-30
In force; pEPR fee invoicing started October 2025

The UK runs separate producer responsibility regimes for packaging, electrical equipment, batteries and end-of-life vehicles, with producers paying fees to fund household collection and recycling. The 2024 pEPR rules shift the full net cost of household packaging waste onto large producers, replacing the previous shared-cost PRN system.

Enforcement
Mandatory
Effective date
pEPR Regulations made December 2024, in force 1 January 2025; first reporting year 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026; WEEE Regs since 1 January 2014; Battery Regs since 5 May 2009
Covered entities
Packaging producers with turnover above GBP 1 million and handling more than 25 tonnes of packaging per year (lower threshold for small producers); WEEE producers placing EEE on the UK market; battery and ELV producers
Primary source ↗Verified 2026-04-30
In force; VREG amended 2022 to extend scope to all EEE

Switzerland operates advance disposal fee (vRG) schemes for electrical and electronic equipment, batteries, glass bottles and PET, run by industry organisations (SENS, SWICO, Inobat, PET-Recycling Schweiz) under federal ordinances. Packaging EPR for paper, cardboard and plastic remains largely voluntary, organised through municipal collection.

Enforcement
Mandatory
Effective date
VREG in force since 1 July 1998, revised scope effective 1 January 2022; VVEA effective 1 January 2016; battery and glass advance disposal fees in place since the 1990s
Covered entities
Manufacturers, importers and retailers of electrical and electronic equipment, batteries, glass and PET beverage containers placing products on the Swiss market
Primary source ↗Verified 2026-04-30
In force; revised packaging EPR rules applied from 1 July 2025

Norway implements EU-style EPR through Avfallsforskriften, requiring producers of packaging, EEE, batteries and vehicles to join a Producer Responsibility Organisation approved by the Environment Agency. Since July 2025, the previous 1,000 kg-per-material exemption for packaging has been abolished, so every importer or producer must register and report.

Enforcement
Mandatory
Effective date
Avfallsforskriften in force since 2004; Chapter 7 packaging EPR revised effective 1 July 2025 (1,000 kg threshold removed); WEEE provisions since 1999
Covered entities
Any company that professionally imports or manufactures packaging, packaged products, EEE, batteries or vehicles for the Norwegian market; from July 2025 all packaging producers regardless of volume
Primary source ↗Verified 2026-04-30