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Last Updated:

March 25, 2026. This guide is updated monthly with the latest EPR deadlines, fee schedules, and regulatory changes.

Key Deadlines, Fees, and Reporting Producers Should Prepare For

2025 marked a pivotal year for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the U.S., as multiple states enacted new laws shifting the responsibility for packaging waste to producers. In 2026, that momentum continues. Producers can expect broader implementation across additional states, expanded reporting mandates, major compliance deadlines, and new fees. As EPR regulations evolve, rePurpose is here to help you stay informed, prepared, and compliant with the latest updates and a streamlined EPR compliance solution.

Key Updates Summary

• California:
  
  • The Producer Registration Portal is open, and late submissions for California Interim Reporting are still being accepted via the CAA portal. The initial deadline was Nov 15, 2025.
  • Producers will have a 30 day submission / validation window in approximately May 2026 to finalize their 2023 baseline reports. This helps inform CAA's fee setting and source reduction planning.
  • The Annual Supply Report and Annual Source Reduction Report (using 2025 data) are due May 31, 2026.
• Oregon and Colorado: 
  
  • Late EPR reporting for 2025 submissions are still being accepted.
  • 2026 Producer invoices were issued in January.
  • Reporting Portals open March 31.
  • Annual Supply Reports using 2025 data are due May 31, 2026.
  • In Oregon, packaging producers may now make a claim for an exemption from paying fees in 2027 for the proportion of their products that are recycled privately through responsible end markets. The claims window is open from Jan. 7 through Mar. 31. Approval or denial of claims will occur by Jun 15.
• Washington, Minnesota, and Maryland:
  
  • The Producer Registration Portals remain open, though initial deadlines have passed.
  • Simplified Supply Reports are due May 31, 2026.

Not sure which EPR states apply to you? Take our free 5-minute assessment to find out. 

2026 EPR Deadlines At A Glance

What’s New in 2026 EPR Compliance

After a year of fragmented timelines and state-by-state nuances, 2026 is the first year where Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations in the U.S. begin to harmonize. For producers selling into multiple states, this means clearer expectations, more aligned deadlines, and multiple sets of fees and reports due throughout the year.

Here’s a comprehensive look at what producers can expect in 2026 across Oregon, Colorado, California, and other emerging EPR states.

Harmonized EPR Reporting: May 31, 2026

Beginning in 2026, most states — led by Oregon, Colorado, and California — will follow a consistent schedule:

• Annual Supply Reports Due: May 31, 2026
  
  • Annual Supply Report: detailed material data report across all defined categories
• Simplified Supply Reports Due: May 31, 2026
  
  • Simplified Supply Report: higher level report with fewer categories at the material class level (e.g. plastic, paper, glass)
• Producer Responsibility Fee Schedules Published: October 2026
• Invoices Issued: January and July (based on the prior year’s data) 2026

This marks a significant shift from 2025, where deadlines varied widely.

Oregon EPR: Full-Year Program Fees

Oregon, the earliest mover, began its EPR program in July 2025. Producers obligated in Oregon already submitted 2025 supply data on March 31, 2025 and paid fees in mid-2025.

In 2026:

• Producers will pay full-year program fees based on their 2024 calendar-year supply data.
• Invoices will be issued twice: January 2026 and July 2026.
• Reporting Portal opens March 31. The Portal will be more streamlined to resemble Colorado (with reduced questions).
• Updated producer guidance, Covered Material Definitions, OR Reporting Workbook, and LCA Bonus Templates for A, B, C will be released on a rolling basis throughout March & April.
• 2 new reporting categories are added: 1) Other Paper Packaging - Molded Pulp Food Service Ware and 2) Plastic - Small Format - PE & PP Caps and Lids and HDPE Handles.
• Annual Supply Report is due May 31, 2026 (using 2025 data).
• Non-compliance may result in penalties as high as $25,000/day. 

Compliance doesn’t have to be complex. rePurpose simplifies and streamlines the process with our automated compliance software. One setup and platform fee covers all current and future EPR states with the most up-to-date regulations. 

Colorado EPR: First Program Dues in 2026

Colorado required producers to determine obligation and submit 2024 supply data on July 31, 2025. This submission sets the baseline for Colorado’s 2026 program fees.

In 2026, Colorado’s first official program fee year:

• Producers will pay program dues (fees) based on 2024 supply data submitted in July 2025.
• Invoices mirror Oregon’s schedule: January 2026 and July 2026.
• Noncompliance penalties include escalating daily fines:
  
  • The first violation is $5,000 for the first day and $1,500 for each following day.
  • The second violation is a $10,000 initial penalty and $3,000 per subsequent day. 
  • The third violation incurs an initial $20,000 fine and $6,000 for each following day.
• Reporting Portal opens on March 31.
• Mandatory PCR reporting is new to this year's supply report due May 31. This is different from the voluntary eco-modulation bonus. Producers must report the amount or % of PCR content in the packaging.
• Reporting categories remain unchanged.
• Updated Producer Guidance, Covered Material Definitions, CO Reporting Workbook, PCR Guidance, Updated Eco-modulation Guidance and templates will be released.

In addition to fines, non-compliance can lead to the restriction of selling products in the state.

California EPR: Early Fees and Source Reduction Plans

California’s EPR program (SB 54) remains the most complex and 2026 is the year it formally ramps up.

Early Fees in 2026

Producers will:

• Submit material data supply reports by May 31, 2026 (for 2025 data)
• Pay one-time early-fees based on invoices issued in August 2026. These early fees fund California’s pre-program activities ahead of the full 2027 program launch.

Final Regulations and Additional Reporting

California’s regulations will be finalized during 2026. Producers will be required to:

• Submit a final 2023 data report within 30 days of regulation finalization. CAA expects this to be sometime in May, or no later than June 1. This allows the state to integrate any last-minute compliance-mandated changes.

Additionally:

• Producers will submit an Annual Producer Supply Report using 2025 data by May 31, 2026.
• Producers will submit an Annual Source Reduction Report using 2025 data by May 31, 2026 in addition to the Supply Report.
• Producers must develop and submit an Individualized Source Reduction (ISR) Plan (timing TBD, though no later than August 1), guided by state-defined reduction targets. CAA has publish detailed guidance and a reporting workbook.

Together, these steps set the foundation for California's formal program activation in 2027. For a more comprehensive guide on California EPR reporting, check out these resources:

• CA EPR Compliance: Step-by-Step Guide
• CA Source Reduction Compliance Checklist
• CA Source Reduction Mandates
• CA Reporting Requirements

If these evolving regulations feel overwhelming, our team is here to help. Book a call with us to see how rePurpose simplifies this reporting process and supports source reduction planning.

Maryland, Minnesota, Washington, and Maine EPR: Startup Fees Coming

Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington all remain open for registration in the CAA portal. In 2026, each of these states require:

• A Simplified Supply Report due May 31, 2026 using 2025 supply data.

Maine’s EPR program continues developing, but unlike the other states, CAA has not yet been selected as the stewardship organization (SO/PRO). If selected:

• Producers can expect startup fees similar to California’s early-fee model.
• A simplified supply report would be due in Q3 2026.
• Invoices for startup fees would likely be issued in Q4 2026.
  

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Summary: 2026 EPR Compliance Checklist: What You Need to Do

Multiple fees across multiple states
— Oregon: two invoices (Jan & July)
— Colorado: two invoices (Jan & July)
— California: one early-fee invoice (Aug)
— Potentially Maine: startup-fee invoice (Q4)

Different types of reporting
— 2025 Annual Supply Reports (May 31) and Simplified Supply Reports
— California Final 2023 Baseline Report (30 days after final regs, likely May)
— California Annual Source Reduction Report (May 31)
— California Individual Source Reduction Plan using 2023 baseline data (TBD, no later than August 1)

Preparing for Multi-State EPR in 2027

2026 is the most operationally intensive year for producers navigating EPR. With multiple reports, fee cycles, and regulatory updates converging, producers who prepare early and centralize their compliance processes will be positioned for a much smoother transition into 2027.

Streamline Your 2026 EPR Compliance with rePurpose 

The rePurpose packaging compliance platform centralizes supply data, harmonizes reporting formats across states, and keeps producers ahead of every deadline, from May 31st submissions to August early fees and January/July invoices.

Whether you're managing reporting for one state or all six emerging EPR programs, rePurpose helps ensure accuracy, reduce manual effort, and streamline compliance as regulations rapidly evolve. Book a demo with our team.

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