Skip to content
Specialized Packaging Market Intelligence and Strategic AdvisoryPackaging Intelligence. Clearer Decisions. Stronger Growth.
SPI Regulation Tracker

Packaging rule · United States · Labelling

California SB 343 recyclability labelling restrictions

Labelling rule covering all packaging in California, United States, set by California Legislature / CalRecycle. Applies since 4 October 2026.

By the SPI teamRule ID PR-US-011Source consulted 13 October 2026Sourced, awaiting second check
Sourced facts

The rule

Recorded from the official source named below. Rates and dates are as the source states them on the date it was consulted.

Jurisdiction
United States · California
Authority
California Legislature / CalRecycle
Rule type
Labelling
Materials
All packaging
Status
Adopted, not yet applying Enacted
Adopted or published
4 October 2026
Applies from
4 October 2026
From the source

“Labeling restrictions established by SB 343 apply to products and packaging manufactured after October 4, 2026”

Official source CalRecycle: SB 343 Accurate Recycling LabelsOfficial (government or regulator) · consulted 13 October 2026

Deadlines

Key dates

  1. Adopted or published 9 days ago

  2. Applies from 9 days ago

  3. Source consulted by the SPI team today

SPI analysis

What it means

SPI analysis Our reading of the official source above. Not legal advice; always rely on the official text.

SPI summary

SB 343 limits use of the chasing-arrows symbol and recyclable claims to materials meeting CalRecycle's criteria, for products and packaging made after 4 October 2026. On 14 July 2026 a federal court preliminary injunction blocked enforcement, so the restrictions are not currently enforced.

In practice

SB 343 limits the chasing-arrows symbol and other recyclability claims on products and packaging manufactured after 4 October 2026 to items that meet California's statutory criteria, such as collection by programmes serving at least 60% of the population. On 14 July 2026 a federal court issued a preliminary injunction that, according to CalRecycle, only blocks enforcement of SB 343; CalRecycle's study obligations continue. Brand owners and packaging designers face uncertainty: the rule is on the books but cannot currently be enforced, and the outcome of the case will decide whether label changes are needed.

Who is in scope

  • Any symbol or statement indicating recyclability, such as the chasing-arrows symbol, on products and packaging sold in California
  • Products and packaging manufactured after 4 October 2026, regardless of when sold
  • Manufacturers, which CalRecycle says are responsible for evaluating their products
  • Material management facilities reporting through CalRecycle's RDRS since 2025

Who is not

  • Products and packaging manufactured on or before 4 October 2026
  • Items meeting alternative paths in PRC 42355.51(d)(4) to (6), such as recycling rate, non-curbside collection or other recyclability laws (these are conditions, not blanket exemptions)

What to do and by when

  1. NowMap every SKU carrying a recyclability claim and check it against CalRecycle's study data and the statutory criteria.
  2. NowTrack California League of Food Producers v. Bonta for any change to the injunction.
  3. NowPrepare alternative artwork so label changes can move quickly if the injunction is lifted.
  4. 2027Review CalRecycle's revised material characterisation study; manufacturers then have 18 months to confirm their claims.

Related rules

  • PR-US-004 California SB 54 packaging EPR and permanent regulations
    Same jurisdiction: SB 54 recyclability criteria also bear on which packaging counts as recyclable.
  • PR-EU-003 PPWR: harmonised material-composition sorting label
    EU harmonised sorting label, another regulated recyclability label.
  • PR-FR-003 France Triman logo and Info-tri sorting label
    France's Triman and Info-tri, a mandatory sorting label rather than a restriction.
  • PR-US-009 California minimum recycled content for plastic beverage containers (AB 793)
    Same jurisdiction: AB 793 recycled content for beverage containers.

Where the record is unclear

  • Enforcement is blocked by the 14 July 2026 preliminary injunction in California League of Food Producers v. Bonta (S.D. Cal., No. 3:26-CV-01675); the final outcome and any appeal are not known.
  • CalRecycle states the 4 October 2026 date 'may be impacted by ongoing litigation' and does not describe any extension.
  • Whether products made after 4 October 2026 during the injunction could face enforcement if it is later lifted is not addressed on CalRecycle's pages.

Sources for this note

  1. CalRecycle: SB 343 Accurate Recycling Labels Consulted 13 October 2026
  2. CalRecycle: SB 343 Frequently Asked Questions (August 2025) Consulted 13 October 2026

Note written by the SPI team on 13 October 2026.

Where it sits in the tracker

  • One of 13 packaging rules we track in the United States, of which 1 are labelling rules.
  • In all, 3 labelling rules are tracked across 3 jurisdictions. Compare them below

Company profiles that map to this rule

Companies whose SPI profile lists this rule in its regulatory exposure, based on where they report selling. Not company-reported.

Audit trail

Change history

Sourced: an SPI analyst recorded the facts above from the official source. A second SPI team member has not re-checked it yet. Every change is logged here.

  1. Changed: status, SPI summary, rate note

  2. Verified by a second SPI team member

  3. Added to the tracker

Spotted an error? Write to sales@strategicpackaginginsights.com quoting PR-US-011 and the source. Corrections are logged in this history.

Other jurisdictions

Labelling rules elsewhere

The same type of rule for the same materials in other jurisdictions, by the date it applies.

RuleWhereTypeMaterialsStatusApplies from
PPWR: harmonised material-composition sorting labelPR-EU-003European UnionLabellingAll packagingAdopted, not yet applying12 August 2028
France Triman logo and Info-tri sorting labelPR-FR-003FranceLabellingAll packagingIn force–

Every labelling rule in the tracker

ClosingAsk the SPI team

Ask the SPI team

Does this rule apply to your packs?

Tell us your products, materials and markets. An analyst maps the obligations, fees and deadlines that apply, with every source.

Request a briefing

Prefer email? Write to sales@strategicpackaginginsights.com.

Questions people bring
  1. Q1

    Which packaging rules apply to us in each market we sell in?

    We map each market's EPR, tax, ban, recycled-content, labelling and deposit rules against your materials and formats, and show which are in force, adopted or only proposed.

  2. Q2

    What could EPR fees and plastic taxes cost us next year?

    We apply published fee tables and tax rates to your tonnages and recycled content, and show the result as scenarios with every rate sourced.

  3. Q3

    Can you tell us when a rule changes?

    Yes. The free tracker alerts cover rule changes by country; a monitoring retainer adds monthly notes on what the changes mean for your portfolio.