EPR Deadline May 31, 2026 — What You Need to Know

May 31, 2026 was the first harmonized EPR reporting deadline under six state packaging laws. If you sell packaged products in California, Oregon, Colorado, Minnesota, Maryland, or Washington, this deadline applied to you. If you missed it, here's what's at stake — and what to do next.

What is the May 31 EPR reporting deadline?

May 31, 2026 was the first harmonized reporting deadline under six state EPR packaging laws. On this date, brands that sell packaged products into these six states were required to submit their annual packaging reports to their respective Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs).

If you filed on time, you're in compliance. If you missed it, penalties may already be accruing. And if you're new to EPR, this guide covers what was due, what happens next, and how to prepare for the next cycle.

Not sure if you're covered? Check in 60 seconds with our free coverage checker.

State-by-state: What was due May 31

What you need to file

Regardless of which state you're reporting to, you'll need these three things:

1. PRO registration— You must be registered with the designated Producer Responsibility Organization for each state where you're obligated. Registration is separate from reporting.
2. Packaging weight data by material type — Total weight (in kg or lbs) of packaging sold into each state, broken down by material: recyclable plastic, non-recyclable plastic, corrugated cardboard, paperboard, glass, aluminum, and steel.
3. Eco-modulation data (if applicable)— Documentation of any eco-modulation credits you're claiming: mono-material packaging, PCR content percentage, consumer recycling labels, source reduction.

Not sure how much your packaging weighs? Estimate your fees with our calculator— it'll give you a weight-based cost estimate by state.

What happens if you miss the deadline

Penalties are real — up to $100,000 per day in some states — and non-compliance can restrict your ability to sell products in those states. Read the full penalty breakdown →

What to do right now

1. Check your obligations — Use our free Am I Covered? tool to see which states require you to register.
2. Know your deadlines — Check our deadline calendar for each state's registration and reporting dates.
3. Estimate your fees — Use the EPR fee calculator to budget for compliance costs.
4. Gather packaging weight data — Compile total packaging weight by material type for each state you sell into.
5. Review eco-modulation opportunities — Check if you qualify for fee credits — see 7 strategies to reduce your fees.
6. Start the registration process— each state's PRO has an online portal. Don't wait until the deadline.

What comes after May 31

May 31 is just the beginning. After the reporting deadline:

• August 2026: California begins issuing early fee invoices based on reported data
• January 2027: Oregon and Colorado program fees take effect
• July 2027: Additional state fee periods begin
• January 2028: California full program fees begin

Staying ahead of these dates matters. View the full deadline calendar →