AB-1812 • 2026

Solid waste: compostable products.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Aguiar-Curry
Last action: 2026-04-14
Official status: From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (April 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance with certifications and standards.

Compostable Products Regulations

AB-1812 changes the rules for selling compostable products by requiring specific certifications and standards, and it bans certain plastic-based compostable products starting in 2027.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to create new regulations for determining if a product can be labeled as 'compostable' or 'home compostable'.
Prohibits selling or offering for sale any product labeled as 'compostable' or 'home compostable' unless it has OK compost HOME certification or meets a standard set by the department.
Removes the requirement for the department to review changes to certain ASTM standards and allows them to adopt different standards if they are recognized and more stringent.
Exempts fiber products without plastics or polymers from some labeling requirements, but only if no specific standard is adopted by the department.
Bans selling any product labeled as 'compostable' or 'home compostable' that contains plastic starting January 1, 2027.

Who It Names or Affects

People who sell products labeled as 'compostable' or 'home compostable'.
The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery.
Consumers looking to buy compostable products.

Terms To Know

ASTM standard specification: A set of rules that a product must meet to be considered safe or effective for its intended use, established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
OK compost HOME certification: An official label given to products that can safely decompose in home composting conditions.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if a product is sold without the proper certifications or standards.
It's unclear how strictly fiber products will be regulated unless the department sets specific standards for them.
The effectiveness of these regulations in reducing plastic waste and promoting true compostability remains to be seen.

Bill History

2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (April 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-02 California Legislative Information
In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
2026-03-24 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
2026-03-23 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.
2026-02-23 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
2026-02-11 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 13.
2026-02-10 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1812, as amended, Aguiar-Curry.
Solid waste: compostable
products: regulations.
products.
Existing law prohibits a person from selling or offering for sale a product, as defined, that is labeled with the term “compostable” or “home compostable” unless, among others, the product
is labeled in a manner that distinguishes the product from a noncompostable product upon reasonable inspection by consumers and to help enable efficient processing by solid waste processing facilities. Existing law authorizes the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to adopt regulations for determining whether products comply with this requirement.
meets a specified ASTM standard specification, has OK compost HOME certification, and meets a standard adopted by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery. Existing law
requires the department to review revisions to the ASTM standard specification, as provided. Existing law authorizes the department to adopt a standard different from an ASTM standard if adopted or developed by a standard-setting organization recognized by the department, the standard adds qualifications to an ASTM standard specification, and the standard is more stringent than an ASTM standard specification, as provided. Existing law exempts a fiber product that is demonstrated to not incorporate any plastics or polymers from complying with any of these ASTM standards.
This bill would instead require the department to adopt regulations for determining whether products comply with this requirement.
This bill would instead prohibit a person from selling or offering for sale a product that is labeled with the term “compostable” or “home compostable” unless the product has OK compost HOME certification or meets a standard adopted by the department. The bill would repeal the requirement for the department to review revisions to the ASTM standard specification. The bill would instead authorize the department to adopt an existing standard different from an ASTM standard specification if the standard is adopted or developed by a standard-setting organization recognized by the department. This bill would exempt a fiber product that is demonstrated to not incorporate any plastics or polymers from requirements for labeling compostable products, as specified, unless the department adopts a standard for compostable fiber products.
This bill, on and after January 1, 2027, would prohibit a person from selling or offering for sale a
product in this state that is labeled with the term “compostable” or “home compostable” that is made wholly or partially of plastic, as defined.
Existing law requires a compostable bag that meets an ASTM standard specification described above to comply with certain labeling requirements.
This bill would repeal those labeling requirements.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF