The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has issued a series of policy statements in recent days targeting U.S. packaging legislation, EU deforestation rules and federal forest policy as regulatory and fiber supply pressures continue to intensify for the forest products sector.
On May 4, the association opposed proposed amendments to New York State’s Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA), which would establish an extended producer responsibility (EPR) system for packaging materials.
According to AF&PA, the proposed revisions would worsen shortcomings in the legislation without significantly improving paper recycling performance. The organization said the measure could increase annual household costs by as much as US$732 for a family of four.
AF&PA also criticized the inclusion of commercial packaging streams in the proposed EPR framework, arguing that these materials are already widely recycled through industrial, commercial and institutional recovery systems. The association noted that more than 80% of recovered containerboard in the United States comes from these channels, where recycling rates exceed 90%.
The statement follows warnings issued by AF&PA in late April regarding growing pressure on fiber supply linked to proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
AF&PA renews criticism of EUDR
Earlier, AF&PA joined industry associations from Canada, Australia, Japan and New Zealand in calling on the European Commission to revise aspects of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) ahead of the Commission’s review.
The organizations called for more proportionate traceability requirements based on country risk levels, along with exemptions for certain forest residues and by-products that do not contribute to deforestation. According to the groups, some provisions create disproportionate burdens for low-risk supply chains located outside the European Union.
AF&PA reinforced those concerns in a separate statement released May 4 following the EU’s latest review of the regulation.
In the statement, Heidi Brock, President and CEO of AF&PA, said the European Commission failed to introduce practical changes needed for “workable, risk-based implementation” of the EUDR for U.S. forest products manufacturers.
AF&PA argues that the regulation’s traceability and due diligence requirements do not align with U.S. fiber supply chains and could disrupt more than US$3.5 billion in forest products trade with Europe while increasing compliance costs.
The association also criticized what it described as uneven treatment between EU and non-EU operators, saying compliance relief measures remain concentrated on companies operating within the European Union.
Farm Bill welcomed by the industry
On April 30, AF&PA also welcomed passage of the U.S. Farm Bill in the House of Representatives, highlighting the legislation’s role in supporting productive forests, fiber supply and rural economies.
The association also pointed positively to the absence of amendments related to the Renewable Fuel Standard and woody biomass, which has become a recurring source of concern for the U.S. pulp and paper industry.
AF&PA said it will continue engaging with policymakers to promote policies supporting sector competitiveness and sustainable forest management.
Taken together, the recent statements illustrate AF&PA’s increasingly active role in debates surrounding packaging regulation, fiber availability, international trade and forest policy as the industry faces rising compliance costs and supply chain uncertainty.
AF&PA represents U.S. manufacturers of pulp, paper, packaging and tissue products. The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people and generates over US$435 billion in annual manufacturing output.
