AF&PA calls for pause on California SB 54 paper EPR rules

The American Forest & Paper Association has urged California to pause implementation of SB 54, the state's extended producer responsibility law for packaging, and reconsider its treatment of paper and paper-based packaging. The call comes amid litigation in CLFP v. Bonta that is being used to raise further challenges to the law. AF&PA argues the rules impose similar obligations on materials with very different recycling profiles, adding cost without improving existing paper recycling systems.

Why this mattersA pause or rewrite of SB 54's paper provisions would alter compliance costs and recycled-content obligations for fibre packaging producers selling into California.

• AF&PA Vice President of Government Affairs Julie Landry issued the statement responding to the CLFP v. Bonta case
• The litigation is being used as a vehicle to raise additional challenges to SB 54
• AF&PA says SB 54 applies similar obligations to materials with substantially different recycling characteristics
• The association cites decades of investment in recyclable product design, recovered-fibre mill capacity and collection infrastructure
• AF&PA warns the requirements could disrupt recycling markets and increase uncertainty for manufacturers and consumers
• The statement sets out a policy position and does not announce a court ruling

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