Navigating Emerging EPR Requirements in a Dynamic Global Regulatory Environment

Over the course of the last decade, a growing number of U.S. states have introduced new requirements for the end-of-life management of sweeping categories of products, including batteries, electronics, mattresses, plastic packaging, and textiles. These regulatory requirements, referred to as extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws, are also emerging in parallel globally with European Union directives driving circularity, waste minimization, and decarbonization goals through similar EPR schemes. Most recently, the Trump administration has shown support for pursuing a national EPR battery framework that will increase critical mineral recovery and limit waste. While these laws share overarching goals, the requirements vary by jurisdiction and the resulting patchwork has only grown more complex, presenting a greater need for impacted companies to develop internal compliance approaches to minimize risk.

Please join us for an in-depth discussion of the current EPR landscape, where we will explore the growing divide between federal and state approaches. Our discussion will cover federal initiatives, the persistence of robust EPR programs at the state level, and the practical challenges companies face when trying to meet overlapping or conflicting obligations. We will also examine the broader international context, including key developments in the EU and UK, and how U.S. companies should think about cross-border compliance amid these shifts.

Throughout the session, we will offer practical insights on managing risk, minimizing exposure, and positioning your business to adapt effectively to ongoing regulatory uncertainty. Our speakers will also provide predictions on how the Trump administration’s policies may continue to evolve — and what companies should anticipate in the future.