Violations and Penalties

The information provided on this page is an overview of the Rigid Plastic Packaging Container (RPPC) law and regulations; it does not replace the requirements specified within them. Always refer to the full text of the regulations and Statute, to ensure full compliance.

Product Manufacturer Violations and Penalties

CalRecycle reviews a percentage of the registered product manufacturers to verify the information and compliance with the law to ensure that product manufacturers are complying with the applicable RPPC program. Non-compliant product manufacturers may be assessed penalties.

Any violation of the RPPC program is a public offense and is punishable by a fine not to exceed $100,000. In addition, violators may be subject to civil penalties of up to $50,000 per violation. Total penalties cannot exceed $100,000 annually. Violations can include, but are not limited to: late or nonsubmittal of any phase of the certification process; submittal of incomplete and/or inaccurate certifications; container compliance option violations; and/or submittal of false or misleading information.

Individual product manufacturers and container manufacturers can be found in violation. Product manufacturer violations can include, but are not limited to: late or non-submittal of any phase of the certification process; submittal of incomplete and/or inaccurate certifications; container compliance option violations; and/or submittal of false or misleading information.

Container manufacturers that provide product manufacturers with false or misleading information can be found in violation of the RPPC law. The container manufacturer will be subject to the same penalties and fines that are imposed upon product manufacturers should CalRecycle determine that a container manufacturer provided false or misleading information.

In addition to CalRecycle’s issuance of fines and penalties, submittal of false or misleading compliance certifications may result in a referral to the Attorney General for prosecution for fraud.

A complete history of past penalties assessed to date can be found below.

Penalty Assessments

Late or Nonsubmittals

All three 3 phases of the certification process are subject to penalties. If a product manufacturer fails to respond by the due date outlined in the certification cycle notice, the following penalties can be assessed.

Days LatePenalty Amount
1–30$1,000
31–60$5,000
More than 60
(Considered nonresponsive)
Up to $50,000

To avoid penalties, an extension of up to 30 days can be requested. The request for an extension must be received prior to the due date specified in the certification notice.

Incomplete/Inaccurate Certifications

Product manufacturer that submit an incomplete or inaccurate certification may be found non-compliant. Examples of incompleteness or inaccuracies include, but are not limited to:

  • Misreporting exemptions
  • Failure to account for all products
  • Failure to account for subsidiaries and divisions
  • Lack of container manufacturer’s verification of number of containers sold or weight of containers
  • Inconsistencies in information between product manufacturer and container manufacturer
  • Lack of signatures
  • Mathematical inaccuracies

This type of violation is subject to a penalty ranging between $1,000 and $50,000 in addition to civil penalties of up to $50,000 per violation. The penalty is determined by degree of non-compliance. CalRecycle will calculate penalties using reported data and the formulas found in 14CCR Section 17949 (e).

Container Compliance Option Violations

If a product’s RPPC does not comply with a claimed container compliance option, the product manufacturer may be found non-compliant. A violation of this type is subject to a penalty ranging between $5,000 and $50,000 in addition to civil penalties of up to $50,000 per violation. The penalty is determined by degree of non-compliance. CalRecycle will calculate penalties using reported data and the formulas found in 14CCR Section 17949 (e).

Submittal of False or Misleading Information

Product manufacturer or container manufacturer submitted false or misleading information can be found in violation. A violation of this type is subject to a penalty up to $100,000 in addition to referral of the case to Attorney General for prosecution for fraud. CalRecycle will calculate penalties using reported data and the formulas found in 14CCR Section 17949 (e).

Public Notice of Violations (14CCR Section 17949 (c))

On or before July 1, CalRecycle publishes the fines and penalties that have been levied for the specific certification period.

Select the applicable certification period to see the penalties assessed.

2006-2012: Compliance certifications not conducted.

2005 RPPC Certification Cycle Penalties

Company NameAgreement NumberType of PenaltyAmount of Penalty
PETCO Animal SuppliesNo agreement executed.Container Violation$42,025.23
Office MaxNo agreement executed.Container Violation$34,350.61
Sony CorporationNo agreement executed.Container Violation$50,000.00
Total: $126,375.84

2002-2004: Compliance certifications not conducted.

2001 RPPC Certification Cycle Penalties

Company NameAgreement NumberType of PenaltyAmount of Penalty
Food for LessIWMA 05-2005-07 RPPCLate Certification$1,000.00
Golden ArtistIWMA 05-2005-08 RPPCContainer Violation$5,000.00
Henkel CorporationIWMA 05-2005-10 RPPCContainer Violation
Inaccurate Certification
$1,439.23
$5,000.00
Office MaxIWMA 05-2005-15 RPPCContainer Violation$40,259.16
PETCO Animal SuppliesIWMA 05-2005-17 RPPCLate Certification
Container Violation
$5,000.00
$8,410.62
Rite-Aid CorporationIWMA 05-2005-18 RPPCLate Certification $1,000.00
Sony CorporationIWMA 05-2005-22 RPPCContainer Violation$50,000.00
Walgreen CompanyIWMA 05-2005-27 RPPCLate Certification$4,000.00
Total: $121,109.01

1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 RPPC Certification Cycle Penalties

Company NameAgreement NumberType of PenaltyAmount of Penalty
BeaconIWMA 11-2000-01 RPPCInaccurate Certification
Container Violation
$11,859.00
Holmes GroupIWMA 11-2000-02 RPPCContainer Violation
Inaccurate Certification
$15,000.00
$25,000.00
ITW DymonIWMA 05-2005-30 RPPCContainer Violation
Inaccurate Certification
$15,000.00
$1,000.00
Total: $67,859.00

For more information contact: Rigid Plastic Packaging Containers, RPPC@calrecycle.ca.gov.