Court Order Blocks Enforcement of California’s SB 343 Recycling Law and Could Impact State’s Extended Producer Responsibility Program
Companies that manufacture products bearing recyclability labels have received temporary relief from impending compliance obligations. On July 14, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California issued a preliminary injunction preventing California, “the State,” from enforcing SB 343, the “Truth in Recycling” law, as litigation continues. The law was set to take effect on October 4, 2026, and the preliminary injunction could impact the implementation of SB 54, California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, which establishes the State’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program.
EPA Memo Emphasizes “Compliance First” Enforcement Approach
On December 5, EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) issued a memorandum to staff affirming a “compliance first” approach to civil enforcement. The memo, signed by Acting Assistant Administrator Craig J. Pritzlaff, applies to all civil enforcement matters and reflects EPA leadership’s instruction to staff regarding inspections, investigations, and enforcement negotiations.
