I’ve had several brands reach out to me asking for their packaging specs in the last six months to a year.

When people asked for the specs, they didn’t really explain why. Not sure if they were just doing what their boss told them to do or if the really knew the why!

So here’s the why!

If your brand ships physical products in branded packaging and you sell into California, Colorado, Oregon, or Maine, this one's for you.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging are no longer a “someday” problem. They’re rolling out now; and depending on your sales and shipping volume, you may already be on the hook.

But don’t panic.

Let’s walk through what EPR is, who it applies to, and what to do next—even if you haven’t collected a single material spec sheet yet.

What Is EPR (and Why Does It Matter for Packaging)?

EPR laws shift the responsibility (and cost) of managing packaging waste from governments to the companies that put that packaging into the marketplace. That includes your folding cartons, pouches, rigid boxes, bottles, mailers. Anything used to package and ship your product.

States like California, Oregon, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey and Maine have already passed various EPR laws that now require companies to:

Register with a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO)
Track packaging by type, weight, and material
Report those details annually
Pay fees based on recyclability and volume

Do You Need to Comply?

Here are the most common thresholds (subject to change, but current as of mid-2025):

If your brand has $2-5 million+ in annual revenue, multiple SKUs, and sells into these states, there’s a good chance you’ll need to comply.

What to Do (Even If You’re Behind)

Whether you're just learning about EPR or you're somewhere between “I think I registered?” and “Wait, what’s a PRO?”, here are three realistic paths forward:

1. DIY It – With the Right Tools

If you have a lean team and are comfortable digging into spreadsheets, a few companies offer DIY toolkits or software to guide you through compliance.

These usually include:

A template for tracking packaging materials and weights
Threshold calculators
Supplier data request templates
State-by-state reporting guides

📌 Providers to explore:

Outstanding diagram courtesy of SPECRIGHT

2. Use Software That Does the Heavy Lifting

Some platforms automate most of the process—especially helpful if you're managing lots of SKUs or work across multiple states.

These services often:

Map packaging materials automatically
Estimate your fees
Track compliance deadlines
Generate the actual reporting files

📌 Providers to explore:

3. Hire an Expert (If You Need a Guide or a Done-for-You Solution)

If you're short on time or overwhelmed by the details, consultants and EPR specialists can help. These firms often provide:

State-specific strategy
Supplier data coordination
Filing and registration
Ongoing support

📌 Providers to explore:

Final Thoughts from Packaging Chic

You don’t need to become a legal expert or a packaging analyst overnight. But you do need to understand where your brand stands and start collecting data now—especially around packaging materials and suppliers.

If you’re in the early stages and want help understanding how your packaging setup could impact your reporting and costs, I can help you get organized.

And if your team just wants to be pointed in the right direction, this blog is a great start. Feel free to share it with your ops, product dev, or sustainability teams.

The bottom line?
Get your packaging data in order now, so you’re not scrambling later.

I’ve got a quick checklist that goes with this blog post right here!