Solid waste: plastic products: labeling: compostability and biodegradability.

Existing law prohibits a person from selling a plastic product that is labeled as "compostable" or "home compostable" unless, at the time of sale, the plastic product meets the applicable ASTM standard specification for plastics designed to be aerobically composted in municipal or industrial facilities or the OK compost HOME certification. Existing law exempts from that prohibition those plastic products that meet a subsequently revised or different standard specification adopted by the department under specified conditions, or if the plastic product is labeled with a qualified claim for which the department has adopted an existing standard, and the plastic product meets that standard. Existing law authorizes the department to otherwise make a recommendation to the Legislature if ASTM International, or any other entity, develops a new standard specification or other applicable standard for either of the terms "compostable" or "home compostable" and the department determines that the new standard for the use of the term, when compared to the current ASTM standard in effect, is more stringent and more protective of public health, public safety, and the environment, and is reflective of and consistent with state policies and programs. This bill would prohibit a person from selling a plastic product that is labeled with the term "industrially compostable" unless, at the time of sale, the plastic product meets the applicable ASTM standard specification for plastics designed to be aerobically composted in municipal or industrial facilities, and would specify that the labeling prohibition for "compostable" or "home compostable" applies unless, at the time of sale, the plastic product has the OK compost HOME certification. The bill would additionally exempt a plastic product labeled with the term "industrially compostable," "compostable," or "home compostable" from the prohibition on using those terms if the plastic product meets another specification adopted by the department that is adopted or developed by ASTM International or a similar existing standards body, as provided.