The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced on December 5th that it will not pursue enforcement action in the first year of reporting for California’s SB 253, the “Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act.” The law requires entities doing business
General
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements on the rise


EPR laws used to be reserved for specialized industries with complex waste disposal issues, such as paint, tires, electronics, batteries and mattresses. But increasing concerns over product life cycle has brought EPR to much broader industry sectors and product areas…
CalRecycle releases much-anticipated guidance on use of the “chasing arrows” symbol and recyclability claims


The “chasing arrows” symbol has been ubiquitous since its introduction in the late 1980’s. Consumers interpret packaging bearing the symbol as recyclable, but according to CalRecycle, the state agency with authority over recycling and waste management, whether a material is…
California 2023 legislative session roundup
The California Legislature was especially busy this past year in the consumer markets space, enacting several key pieces of legislation aimed at addressing concerns over the environment and consumer protection. These include:
Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253
…California enacts trio of ESG laws impacting public and private companies

The recent California legislative session saw the enactment of three pieces of climate legislation that are expected to have a significant impact on companies doing business in California, whether public or private.
Senate Bill 253: The Climate Corporate Data Accountability
…California AG issues guidance regarding enforcement of PFAS ban in food packaging and cookware
On October 17, 2023, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued an enforcement advisory letter to manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of food packaging and cookware regarding enforcement of California’s PFAS restrictions for these product categories. The advisory letter details the requirements…
CA court shuts down website accessibility claims for online-only businesses


The California Court of Appeal has issued a precedent-setting decision holding that the ADA does not apply to online-only businesses. The decision brings some much needed clarity for online-only businesses in California, although the federal courts are still split on…
California enacts PFAS prohibition for textiles
US lamp saga continues with onset of 45 lpw rule


In a fitting continuation of the battle for light bulbs, the US Department of Energy recently finalized rules prohibiting the sale of most general use lamps with an efficiency rating of less than 45 lumens per watt (lpw)(for anyone new…
California issues second set of revisions to Prop 65 short form warning regulation
In the latest twist in California’s never-ending saga to amend the Proposition 65 “short-form” warning regulation, there’s now been a second proposed change. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has been for some time attempting to…