Legislation aimed at creating extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for packaging hit something of a speed bump in 2026. This year, lawmakers failed to pass packaging-focused EPR bills in six states—just one shy of the number of states that have EPR laws for packaging on their books.

That ought to come as a relief to printers and converters of labels and packaging, but in many cases it won’t. This is not because the news isn’t positive. It’s because all too often, printers and converters are only vaguely aware of what EPR is and how it could affect their relationships with customers to whom they supply packaging and labels.

Groups on both sides of the EPR debate want to raise the industry’s awareness: advocates by passing laws to impose EPR requirements that no one subject to them can afford to ignore; opponents by warning printers and converters of what the intended and unintended consequences of the EPR movement can be.

OPERATIONS TECHNOLOGY OUTLOOK—EPR Tide Recedes, but Other Waves of Regulation Are Likely to Follow – WhatTheyThink