Bill > AB1812

This bill aims to update regulations for compostable products in California, primarily by changing the requirements for products labeled as "compostable" or "home compostable." Instead of relying solely on specific ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards, the bill mandates that such products must either have "OK compost HOME" certification or meet a standard adopted by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). It also introduces a new prohibition, effective January 1, 2027, against selling or offering for sale in California any product labeled as compostable or home compostable that is made wholly or partially of plastic. Additionally, the bill clarifies that fiber products without plastics or polymers are exempt from these labeling requirements unless CalRecycle establishes a specific standard for them, and it repeals outdated provisions related to reviewing ASTM standard revisions and specific labeling requirements for compostable bags. The bill also makes technical amendments to existing laws regarding precheckout bags and the criteria for determining if food service packaging is compostable.