# California EPR reporting deadline

Last verified: November 4, 2026 · https://instica.com/epr/california/deadlines

<a id="answer"></a>

California has 3 verified packaging EPR deadlines in the Instica data, reviewed on September 29, 2026, the first falling January 1, 2027. The kinds of date are registration deadline, category list update, other date. Each carries the period it covers and a quoted source, and you sign and submit every filing yourself.

<a id="glance-intro"></a>

California has 3 verified deadlines in the Instica data. Verified means that the date or rule was read from a primary source on the retrieval date shown beside it, with the quote kept in the language of the source. A date that no primary source states is not shown as a date at all: it appears further down as not yet published, with the reason.

By shape, the entries are 2 with a fixed calendar date, 1 without a date or rule. The table lists them in date order, then by kind. The sections after it take each date in turn, then explain what the kinds of date ask of a producer, how to read a yearly rule or a month-only rule, and what to prepare before the day arrives.

<a id="glance"></a>

## California EPR deadlines at a glance

<a id="deadlines-table"></a>**California: verified deadlines, with kind, period and source**

| Date or rule | Kind | Period covered | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [January 1, 2027](#join-pro-or-be-approved-date) | [Registration deadline](#join-pro-or-be-approved-kind) | Not stated | [leginfo.legislature.ca.gov](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PRC&sectionNum=42051) |
| [January 1, 2027](#cmc-list-update-date) | [Category list update](#cmc-list-update-kind) | Not stated | [calrecycle.ca.gov](https://calrecycle.ca.gov/packaging/packaging-epr/) |
| [No date or rule published](#business-address-change-kind) | [Other date](#business-address-change-kind) | Not stated | [leginfo.legislature.ca.gov](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PRC&sectionNum=42051) |

<a id="dates"></a>

## Each verified date and what it asks of you

#### <a id="ev-join-pro-or-be-approved"></a>Registration deadline: January 1, 2027

[The registration deadline is January 1, 2027.](#join-pro-or-be-approved-date)

Note from the source: [A producer must be approved in a PRO plan (or be independent or exempt) to sell covered material from this date. A new producer joins within six months.](#join-pro-or-be-approved-notes)

> upon approval of a plan pursuant to Section 42063, or commencing January 1, 2027, whichever is sooner
>
> Source: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PRC&sectionNum=42051), Retrieved: September 29, 2026, Language: en

#### <a id="ev-cmc-list-update"></a>Category list update: January 1, 2027

[The category list update is January 1, 2027.](#cmc-list-update-date)

Note from the source: [The next update of the Covered Material Categories List.](#cmc-list-update-notes)

> This updated information will inform the next update to the Covered Material Categories List, which will be published by January 1, 2027.
>
> Source: calrecycle.ca.gov (https://calrecycle.ca.gov/packaging/packaging-epr/), Retrieved: September 29, 2026, Language: en

#### <a id="ev-business-address-change"></a>Other date

[The source lists this other date without a date or a rule.](#business-address-change-kind)

Note from the source: [Notify CalRecycle within 30 days of a change to the primary business address.](#business-address-change-notes)

> Each producer shall notify the department of any change in their business address within 30 days.
>
> Source: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PRC&sectionNum=42051), Retrieved: September 29, 2026, Language: en

<a id="calc"></a>

## California: the 2027 calendar worked out day by day

This section places the 2 dated entries for California on the 2027 calendar. A yearly rule is placed on its day in 2027; a fixed date is used as the source gives it. The weekday, the day of the year, the ISO week and the quarter are worked out from that date, and the distance to the review of September 29, 2026 is counted in days. The first entry falls on January 1, 2027 and the last on January 1, 2027.

Registration deadline: Friday, January 1, 2027. This is day 1 of the year, in ISO week 53 and quarter 1. It lies 94 days after the review date, and it is the first entry of the year.

Category list update: Friday, January 1, 2027. This is day 1 of the year, in ISO week 53 and quarter 1. It lies 94 days after the review date, on the same day as the previous entry (registration deadline).

Across 2027 the 2 dated entries for California spread over 0 days, from the first to the last. By quarter the count is Q1 2, Q2 0, Q3 0, Q4 0.

1 entry shares its day with the entry before. None of the 2 dates falls on a Saturday or Sunday in 2027.

By kind, the 2027 entries for California are Registration deadline 1, Category list update 1. By weekday they are Friday 2. Counted from the review on September 29, 2026, the first entry falls 94 days after it and the last 94 days after it.

<a id="region"></a>

## California next to the other places in United States

California is one of 7 places in United States with a verified deadline in the Instica data. With 3 verified deadlines it ranks 5 of 7 by the number of entries (rank 1 has the most). By the first dated entry in 2027, January 1, 2027, it ranks 1 of 4, sharing that day with 1 other place.

In United States the earliest first date in 2027 belongs to California (January 1, 2027) and the latest to Maine (May 31, 2027).

Closest in time to the first date of California, measured against the other places in United States: Oregon (January 1, 2027, the same day); Maryland (May 31, 2027, 150 days later); Maine (May 31, 2027, 150 days later).

Neighbours on the map that have a dated entry in 2027, compared with the first date of California: Oregon (January 1, 2027, the same day).

Across all 48 places with a verified deadline in the Instica data, whatever the region, 3 entries for California sits against a median of 3 per place, and 12 places have fewer. The first dated entry of California in 2027, January 1, 2027, ranks 1 of 32 places with a dated entry, level with 1 other; the earliest anywhere is California (January 1, 2027) and the latest is Slovakia (June 1, 2027).

<a id="kind-compare"></a>

## California: each kind of date against United States

Each kind of date that California has in 2027 is set below against the other places in United States that have a dated entry of the same kind. The rank counts places with an earlier date, so rank 1 is the earliest.

Registration deadline: California has January 1, 2027. No other place in United States has a dated registration deadline in 2027, so there is nothing to compare it with.

Category list update: California has January 1, 2027. No other place in United States has a dated category list update in 2027, so there is nothing to compare it with.

<a id="months"></a>

## California: the 2027 dates month by month

Month by month, the dated entries for California in 2027 fall as follows. No entry falls in February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.

January: Registration deadline on Friday the 1st; Category list update on Friday the 1st.

<a id="kinds"></a>

## What each kind of date means

#### <a id="kind-registration"></a>Registration deadline

A registration deadline is the date by which a producer has to be on the register, or signed up with the programme, before it places covered packaging on the market. Who has to register depends on the place: it is often the brand owner, the importer or the marketplace, and the quote under each date shows the wording. Instica reads the date from the source and shows it beside the period it opens. The registration itself is something you do in the official registry.

#### <a id="kind-taxonomy_update"></a>Category list update

A category list update is the date from which the programme changes the material categories used in reports and fee schedules. When it falls, the weights you reported under the old categories may have to be mapped again, so Instica shows the date next to the reports it affects.

#### <a id="kind-other"></a>Other date

Some dates in the source are neither a registration, a report nor a payment, for example a date from which a rule applies or a notice period. They are listed with the same source and quote as every other date, and the note beside each one says what it is.

<a id="reading"></a>

## How dates, yearly rules and month-only rules read

A fixed date is shown as the source gives it, formatted for your language. It is a calendar day, not a time of day, and it applies in the local time of the office that receives the filing. Where a fixed date is the first of a yearly series, the entry says so.

An entry without a date or a rule is listed because the source names the obligation; the note beside it says what the source adds.

Dates in this data can be revised by the programme or the authority. Each entry shows the day it was retrieved, so you can see how old it is, and a newer source always wins over this page.

<a id="open"></a>

## Dates the sources have not published yet

California also has 1 entry that no primary source supports yet. They are shown as not yet published, with the reason, and they never appear as a date.

- Not yet published: report deadline. Reason: The calendar due date for the annual producer report is set by CAA or CalRecycle in its reporting calendar and was not found in a published source.

> **Not yet published**: Entries marked not yet published have no primary source today. Instica never fills the gap with a guess, and the entry becomes a date only when a source states one.

<a id="who"></a>

## Who sets and receives these dates

California: Registration runs through [PEPRS (CalRecycle Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility System)](#registry); the party that registers is described as [The producer, or Circular Action Alliance on behalf of participants](#who-registers). The dates above are the ones that registry and its programme publish, so they are the ones your filings are measured against.

Producers meet the duty through [a single producer responsibility organisation](#organisation-model); the organisations named in the data are [Circular Action Alliance](#organisation-names); membership of the organisation is required. Programmes can publish their own dates, such as invoice days, next to the dates of the authority, and both kinds of date are listed when a source states them.

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## The file that goes with the date

California: the recipient has not yet published a file layout for these reports, so the data holds no layout to show. Instica does not fill the gap with a guess; the report-format page records what is still open. When the layout is published, Instica prepares the file in it from your measured and estimated quantities, and you upload it yourself.

Open the California report-format page

<a id="prepare"></a>

## Preparing before the date

1. Check whether you have to register at all, and with whom, before the registration date arrives; the first report cannot be filed without it.
2. Count the packaging you place on the market in the period the date covers. Weigh a sample of each pack, record the material of each part and note where each weight comes from: measured, supplied by your supplier, estimated or declared.
3. Group the weights the way the recipient groups them. The report-format page for this place lists the columns, the units and the rounding the file expects.
4. Estimate the fee from the published rate schedule, if the programme charges by weight or material, and keep the working so you can explain every figure.
5. Read the source quote under the date once more, because the programme can change a day or a period between reviews.
6. Sign in to the official portal yourself, check the prepared file and submit it. Instica stores no portal credentials and files nothing for you.

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## Add these dates to your calendar

2 of the 3 verified dates for California have a day in the source and are in the calendar feed. Subscribe once and your calendar adds new dates after each review. Every event carries the source address of the date, so you can open the page the date comes from. Entries without a day stay on this page.

Interactive tool: Deadline calendar feed (ICS) (works on the web page)

<a id="faq"></a>

## Questions about California EPR deadlines

### <a id="faq-1"></a>When is the California EPR report due?

The data lists no verified report date for California. Other kinds of date are listed above with their sources; a report date appears here once a primary source states it.

### <a id="faq-2"></a>Which period does a California deadline cover?

The sources for California do not state a period for these dates, so none is shown. The quote under each date is the full wording.

<a id="faq-general"></a>

## Frequently asked questions

### <a id="faq-1-question"></a>Does Instica submit the report for me?

No. Instica measures, estimates and prepares the figures and the file. You sign in to the official portal, check the file and submit it yourself, and Instica never stores your portal credentials.

### <a id="faq-2-question"></a>How do I add the California dates to my calendar?

Use the calendar block on this page: download the file or subscribe with the feed address. Each event has the day, the kind of date and the address of the source. Dates that the source gives only as a month or in words are not in the feed.

### <a id="faq-3"></a>What if a source changes a date after this review?

The source wins. Every entry shows the day it was retrieved. Check the source address before you act, and use the next review of this page for the change.

<a id="estimate"></a>

## How to read this page

> **Estimate**: Instica measures, estimates and prepares. Every date and layout on this page comes from the source named beside it and is shown as published on the retrieval date; it can change, so check the source before you act. You sign and submit each report yourself in the regulator or programme portal. Instica stores no portal credentials and files nothing for you. This page is information, not legal advice.

<a id="epr-cite-facts"></a>

## Facts on this page

Each fact is a self-contained sentence with its source. Link to a fact with its anchor.

- <a id="join-pro-or-be-approved-kind"></a>California: the source at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov lists a registration deadline. [#join-pro-or-be-approved-kind](#join-pro-or-be-approved-kind)
  Value: registration · Source: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PRC&sectionNum=42051 · Retrieved: September 29, 2026 · Status: verified
  Verbatim quote: upon approval of a plan pursuant to Section 42063, or commencing January 1, 2027, whichever is sooner (en)
- <a id="join-pro-or-be-approved-date"></a>California: the registration deadline is January 1, 2027 (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, retrieved September 29, 2026). [#join-pro-or-be-approved-date](#join-pro-or-be-approved-date)
  Value: January 1, 2027 · Source: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PRC&sectionNum=42051 · Retrieved: September 29, 2026 · Status: verified
  Verbatim quote: upon approval of a plan pursuant to Section 42063, or commencing January 1, 2027, whichever is sooner (en)
- <a id="join-pro-or-be-approved-notes"></a>California: the source notes for the registration deadline: A producer must be approved in a PRO plan (or be independent or exempt) to sell covered material from this date. A new producer joins within six months. (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov). [#join-pro-or-be-approved-notes](#join-pro-or-be-approved-notes)
  Value: A producer must be approved in a PRO plan (or be independent or exempt) to sell covered material from this date. A new producer joins within six months. · Source: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PRC&sectionNum=42051 · Retrieved: September 29, 2026 · Status: verified
  Verbatim quote: upon approval of a plan pursuant to Section 42063, or commencing January 1, 2027, whichever is sooner (en)
- <a id="cmc-list-update-kind"></a>California: the source at calrecycle.ca.gov lists a category list update. [#cmc-list-update-kind](#cmc-list-update-kind)
  Value: taxonomy_update · Source: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/packaging/packaging-epr/ · Retrieved: September 29, 2026 · Status: verified
  Verbatim quote: This updated information will inform the next update to the Covered Material Categories List, which will be published by January 1, 2027. (en)
- <a id="cmc-list-update-date"></a>California: the category list update is January 1, 2027 (calrecycle.ca.gov, retrieved September 29, 2026). [#cmc-list-update-date](#cmc-list-update-date)
  Value: January 1, 2027 · Source: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/packaging/packaging-epr/ · Retrieved: September 29, 2026 · Status: verified
  Verbatim quote: This updated information will inform the next update to the Covered Material Categories List, which will be published by January 1, 2027. (en)
- <a id="cmc-list-update-notes"></a>California: the source notes for the category list update: The next update of the Covered Material Categories List. (calrecycle.ca.gov). [#cmc-list-update-notes](#cmc-list-update-notes)
  Value: The next update of the Covered Material Categories List. · Source: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/packaging/packaging-epr/ · Retrieved: September 29, 2026 · Status: verified
  Verbatim quote: This updated information will inform the next update to the Covered Material Categories List, which will be published by January 1, 2027. (en)
- <a id="business-address-change-kind"></a>California: the source at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov lists a date of another kind. [#business-address-change-kind](#business-address-change-kind)
  Value: other · Source: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PRC&sectionNum=42051 · Retrieved: September 29, 2026 · Status: verified
  Verbatim quote: Each producer shall notify the department of any change in their business address within 30 days. (en)
- <a id="business-address-change-notes"></a>California: the source notes for the other date: Notify CalRecycle within 30 days of a change to the primary business address. (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov). [#business-address-change-notes](#business-address-change-notes)
  Value: Notify CalRecycle within 30 days of a change to the primary business address. · Source: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PRC&sectionNum=42051 · Retrieved: September 29, 2026 · Status: verified
  Verbatim quote: Each producer shall notify the department of any change in their business address within 30 days. (en)
- <a id="registry"></a>California: producers register with PEPRS (CalRecycle Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility System). [#registry](#registry)
  Value: PEPRS (CalRecycle Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility System) · Source: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/packaging/packaging-epr/producerguidance/ · Retrieved: September 29, 2026 · Status: verified
  Verbatim quote: Circular Action Alliance manages registration, reporting, and submissions of certain exemptions and exclusions on the producers’ behalf. (en)
- <a id="who-registers"></a>California: the party that registers is described as The producer, or Circular Action Alliance on behalf of participants. [#who-registers](#who-registers)
  Value: The producer, or Circular Action Alliance on behalf of participants · Source: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/packaging/packaging-epr/producerguidance/ · Retrieved: September 29, 2026 · Status: verified
  Verbatim quote: Circular Action Alliance manages registration, reporting, and submissions of certain exemptions and exclusions on the producers’ behalf. (en)
- <a id="organisation-model"></a>California: producers meet the duty through a single producer responsibility organisation. [#organisation-model](#organisation-model)
  Value: one producer responsibility organisation · Source: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/packaging/packaging-epr/ · Retrieved: September 29, 2026 · Status: verified
  Verbatim quote: Circular Action Alliance has been approved to serve as the first Producer Responsibility Organization. (en)
- <a id="organisation-names"></a>California: the organisations named in the data are Circular Action Alliance. [#organisation-names](#organisation-names)
  Value: Circular Action Alliance · Source: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/packaging/packaging-epr/ · Retrieved: September 29, 2026 · Status: verified
  Verbatim quote: Circular Action Alliance has been approved to serve as the first Producer Responsibility Organization. (en)
- <a id="organisation-membership"></a>California: membership of the organisation is required. [#organisation-membership](#organisation-membership)
  Value: yes · Source: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/packaging/packaging-epr/ · Retrieved: September 29, 2026 · Status: verified
  Verbatim quote: Circular Action Alliance has been approved to serve as the first Producer Responsibility Organization. (en)
- <a id="format-pending"></a>California: the report file layout is not yet published, reason: CAA publishes a 2026 Annual Supply Report preparation workbook (2025 data year) with 95 reporting categories, weights in pounds to two decimals and plastic-component counts, but the workbook cannot be uploaded; the report is entered on the CAA Producer Portal. Instica's file is its own working layout and does not yet reproduce those categories. [#format-pending](#format-pending)
  Value: not yet published · Source: https://circularactionalliance.org/s/2026-CA-Annual-Supply-Report-Preparation-Workbook.xlsx · Retrieved: November 4, 2026 · Status: not yet published
  Verbatim quote: This workbook cannot be uploaded to the producer portal. (en)
- <a id="annual-producer-data-report-pending"></a>Not yet published: report deadline. Reason: The calendar due date for the annual producer report is set by CAA or CalRecycle in its reporting calendar and was not found in a published source. [#annual-producer-data-report-pending](#annual-producer-data-report-pending)
  Value: not yet published · Source: https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/Docs/Web/131541 · Retrieved: September 29, 2026 · Status: not yet published
  Verbatim quote: Producers are required to report annual data on the amount of plastic covered material sold, offered for sale, or distributed in the state (en)
- <a id="deadline-count"></a>California: 3 verified deadlines in the bundle (reviewed September 29, 2026). [#deadline-count](#deadline-count)
  Value: 3 · Source: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PRC&sectionNum=42051 · Retrieved: September 29, 2026 · Status: verified

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## Sources

1. leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PRC&sectionNum=42051), Retrieved: September 29, 2026, Status: verified
   > upon approval of a plan pursuant to Section 42063, or commencing January 1, 2027, whichever is sooner (en)
2. calrecycle.ca.gov (https://calrecycle.ca.gov/packaging/packaging-epr/), Retrieved: September 29, 2026, Status: verified
   > This updated information will inform the next update to the Covered Material Categories List, which will be published by January 1, 2027. (en)
3. leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PRC&sectionNum=42051), Retrieved: September 29, 2026, Status: verified
   > Each producer shall notify the department of any change in their business address within 30 days. (en)
4. calrecycle.ca.gov (https://calrecycle.ca.gov/packaging/packaging-epr/producerguidance/), Retrieved: September 29, 2026, Status: verified
   > Circular Action Alliance manages registration, reporting, and submissions of certain exemptions and exclusions on the producers’ behalf. (en)
5. calrecycle.ca.gov (https://calrecycle.ca.gov/packaging/packaging-epr/), Retrieved: September 29, 2026, Status: verified
   > Circular Action Alliance has been approved to serve as the first Producer Responsibility Organization. (en)
6. circularactionalliance.org (https://circularactionalliance.org/s/2026-CA-Annual-Supply-Report-Preparation-Workbook.xlsx), Retrieved: November 4, 2026, Status: not yet published
   > This workbook cannot be uploaded to the producer portal. (en)

## Cite this page

Instica, “California EPR reporting deadline”, https://instica.com/epr/california/deadlines, last verified 2026-11-04, dataset v1-281284b7e7c1, CC-BY-4.0.

- Canonical URL: https://instica.com/epr/california/deadlines
- Last verified: November 4, 2026
- Last changed: November 4, 2026
- Dataset version: v1-281284b7e7c1
- Licence: Reuse is allowed under CC-BY-4.0 with credit to Instica and a link to this page.
- Machine-readable versions: https://instica.com/epr/california/deadlines.md · https://instica.com/epr/california/deadlines.json