Solid waste: compostable products.

Subdivision (g)(1)(D) was simplified: it now only requires that a product labeled 'compostable' or 'home compostable' be labeled in a manner that distinguishes it from noncompostable products upon reasonable inspection by consumers and solid waste processing facilities. The specific green-color and text-size labeling options were removed from this general requirement.

A new subdivision (g)(1)(E) was added requiring that a PLASTIC product meeting an ASTM standard specification for compostability must be labeled with the word 'compostable' in one of two specific ways: either uniformly green with 'compostable' on one side at least one inch tall, or 'compostable' on both sides with green lettering at least one inch tall or lettering at least one-half inch tall within a contrasting green band at least one inch tall.

The specific visual labeling mandate (green color scheme, minimum text height) now applies only to plastic products meeting ASTM compostability standards. Non-plastic compostable products are no longer subject to those specific visual requirements and only need to be distinguishable from noncompostable products.

The old subdivision (E) regarding products being designed for recovery of desirable organic wastes was renumbered to subdivision (F).

The fiscal committee review status changed from 'no' to 'yes,' indicating the bill has now been reviewed by the fiscal committee.

A typo in the short title was corrected: 'Section 42357 of of' changed to 'Section 42357 of.'

Removed the redundant phrase 'and processing' at the end of the labeling requirement in subdivision (g)(1)(D), which previously read 'during receiving and processing and processing.'

Removed a duplicate subparagraph label '(E)' that appeared between the plastic product labeling requirement and the organic waste recovery requirement, correcting the lettering so the latter is properly labeled '(F).'

Corrected typo in the legislative digest from 'productis' to 'product is' and removed a redundant 'and processing' phrase in the digest summary.

Added 'compostable except in California' to the list of prohibited labeling terms in Section 42357(b)(1), meaning products cannot be sold with that label even though they may technically meet compostability standards elsewhere.

Expanded the labeling requirement in Section 42357(g)(1)(D) from a general standard (distinguishable upon reasonable inspection) to specific visual requirements: either uniformly green with 'compostable' lettering at least one inch tall on one side, or 'compostable' on both sides with green lettering at least one inch tall or lettering at least half an inch tall within a contrasting green band at least one inch tall.

Added new Section 42357.1 requiring the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to conduct a study on health effects of degraded compostable plastics and their additives, evaluate toxicity characteristics and safe levels, identify data gaps, provide biennial status updates, and post the final report on its website.

Removed the explicit 'January 1, 2024' effective date from the third-party certification requirement in Section 42357(g)(1)(A), changing it from a dated trigger to a condition based solely on whether an approved certification entity has existed for at least one year prior to sale.

The fiscal committee designation changed from 'no' to 'yes,' indicating the amendment introduced a state fiscal impact (likely related to the new OEHHA study mandate).