California’s EPR Revolution: What It Means for the Mobility Aftermarket
Introduction
At PARTSLIFE US, our priority is not only championing sustainability in the mobility aftermarket but also helping our industry stay compliant amid constant regulatory change. Environmental policy in the United States is evolving rapidly, and we make compliance easy by giving businesses the tools and insights they need to adapt quickly. As sustainability expectations rise, we’re committed to helping the mobility aftermarket become more efficient, more responsible, and ultimately, more green.
One of the most significant developments influencing this shift is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)—and California’s version is among the most complex in the nation, with unique requirements and timelines that differ from other state programs.
California’s EPR Landscape
California’s approach to EPR reflects the state’s broader environmental goals. Its programs emphasize detailed reporting, measurable waste-reduction outcomes, and direct accountability for producers. For companies in the mobility aftermarket, this means navigating packaging rules, material bans, and lifecycle reporting that go beyond what many other states require.
EPR represents more than a compliance exercise. It’s a structural shift in how materials flow through the economy—moving end-of-life responsibility from consumers and municipalities back to the producers who design, manufacture, and distribute goods. For aftermarket suppliers, distributors, and remanufacturers, understanding California’s framework is critical to maintaining both regulatory readiness and operational efficiency.
Understanding Extended Producer Responsibility
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) makes producers financially and operationally responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products—from design and packaging through collection, recycling, and disposal.
In California, EPR programs are managed by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). The state’s flagship legislation, Senate Bill 54 (SB 54)—the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act—extends this model to most forms of consumer and transport packaging.
The goal is to drive measurable reductions in waste by ensuring that packaging is designed for recyclability, reuse, or compostability. Over time, the law is expected to reduce unnecessary plastic, increase recycling rates, and strengthen circular-economy infrastructure.
California’s Plastic and Packaging Reduction Goals
Under SB 54, California has outlined a decade-long roadmap to cut plastic use and transition to fully recyclable or compostable packaging by 2032. These targets apply to all covered packaging and single-use plastic materials sold or distributed in the state—including those used in the mobility aftermarket supply chain.
Statewide goals include:
By 2028: At least 30 percent of plastic packaging sold in California must be recycled.
By 2030: At least 40 percent of plastic packaging must be recycled.
By 2032:
100% of packaging must be recyclable or compostable.
A 25% reduction in single-use plastic packaging (by weight and item count) compared to 2023 baselines.
A 65% recycling rate for all covered materials.
At least 4% of reductions must come from reuse or refill systems, not simply material substitutions.
These requirements underscore California’s intention to move away from non-recyclable plastics and ensure that producers help finance and operate the recovery systems that make circular packaging possible.
EPR in the Mobility Aftermarket
The mobility aftermarket is uniquely positioned within the EPR landscape because it spans multiple product categories already subject to—or soon to be added under—California’s stewardship laws.
1. Packaging and logistics
Manufacturers and distributors must assess all product and transport packaging for recyclability and compliance with SB 54 standards. Any materials that do not meet compostable or recyclable criteria may require redesign or substitution.
2. Batteries and electrification components
California is expanding EPR programs for lead-acid, lithium-ion, and hybrid-vehicle batteries. Mobility suppliers should anticipate evolving reporting requirements and potential cost-sharing obligations for collection and recycling.
3. Tires, filters, and lubricants
The state’s long-running Tire Recycling Management Program and used-oil initiatives are expected to align more closely with EPR principles, potentially adding new reporting and fee obligations for producers and distributors.
4. Remanufacturing and reuse
EPR principles align naturally with the aftermarket’s strengths in remanufacturing and reuse. Extending the life of components reduces waste and supports the same circular-economy goals that SB 54 is designed to advance.
Preparing for Compliance
To stay ahead of California’s EPR mandates, companies in the mobility aftermarket should:
Determine producer status – Identify whether your organization qualifies as a “producer” under SB 54 definitions and which obligations apply.
Audit packaging materials – Review the recyclability, weight, and material composition of all packaging used to ship, display, or protect parts.
Engage suppliers – Communicate expectations around sustainable materials and require documentation of recycled content.
Join a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) – Participate in collective compliance structures such as the Circular Action Alliance to manage reporting and fee obligations.
Implement data systems – Capture and manage data on material volumes, recycled content, and end-of-life management.
Monitor regulatory updates – CalRecycle continues to refine SB 54 implementation through rulemaking; staying informed ensures compliance and reduces risk.
The Road Ahead
California’s EPR regulations are complex and evolving, but they also present an opportunity. For the mobility aftermarket, these programs encourage innovation in packaging, materials, and lifecycle management that can strengthen both compliance and competitiveness.
At PARTSLIFE US, we make it our mission to simplify compliance while advancing sustainability across the industry. We’re not just responding to regulatory change—we’re helping define what responsible, future-focused operations look like in the mobility aftermarket.
By Kylie Bolticoff-Weiderer
Strategic Growth and Operations Manager, PARTSLIFE US
10/30/25
