Overview
Since the first wave of state extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging and paper products was enacted beginning in 2021, seven states—Oregon, Colorado, California, Minnesota, Maryland, Washington, and Maine—have adopted EPR laws. As producer registration, reporting, and fee obligations have taken effect, industry groups, individual producers, a coalition of state attorneys general, and environmental organizations have each filed suit challenging different aspects of these regimes. Oregon's Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, the first EPR law in the country, is the subject of the most advanced litigation nationally, and is widely viewed as a bellwether for challenges in other states.
This chart summarizes the currently pending litigation, organized by state. As of this update, no litigation has been reported challenging the packaging EPR statutes of Minnesota, Maryland, Washington, or Maine.
Key Takeaways for Producers
- No court has issued a final ruling invalidating any state packaging EPR law and compliance obligations remain in effect in every state with an active program, except where a specific, limited injunction applies.
- Relief obtained to date is narrow and party- or provision-specific. For example, the Oregon preliminary injunction protects only NAW members as of February 6, 2026, and the California SB 343 injunction pauses only labeling enforcement, not enforcement of SB 54.
- The Oregon bench trial (concluded July 17, 2026) is the first full evidentiary test of an EPR statute's constitutionality. Judge Simon has indicated he will rule by the end of August 2026, and the decision is likely to shape the Colorado and California litigation.
- Producers should continue to determine whether they are obligated to register, report, and pay fees on existing state deadlines while simultaneously tracking developments that could affect their specific compliance posture.
Steptoe LLP is tracking the progress of each of these cases and will continue to provide updates periodically. The attorneys at Steptoe LLP can assist with determining compliance obligations in the interim.
