Recycled-Content Newsprint Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who must comply with these regulations?

A: Any of the following:

Newsprint printers or publishers (consumers): Businesses that consume newsprint in the printing process.

Newsprint suppliers: Businesses that supply newsprint to either newsprint printers or publishers or to those businesses that will supply it to a business that will use newsprint in California. This includes manufacturers who supply to suppliers or to consumers.

Newsprint manufacturers: Businesses that produce newsprint, whether based in the United States or in another country, which will be shipped to and used in California.

See Section 17954...

Q. For the purposes of this program, what is considered recycled-content newsprint (RCN)?

A. Printers and publishers, suppliers, and manufacturers: In California, newsprint is considered RCN only if it is made out of at least 40 percent postconsumer waste paper fiber by weight.

Q: What does the law require:

Printers and Publishers: (1) ensure that 50 percent of all newsprint that is consumed in a calendar year (January through December) is RCN, (2) annually certify to the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) by March 1.

See Section 17956 and 17958 (Consumer Certification and Requirements)

Suppliers: Certify the metric tons of RCN and non-RCN in every shipment to a printer/ publisher or other supplier.

See Section 17960 (Supplier Requirements)

Manufacturers: (1) certify the metric tons of RCN contained in each shipment made to a printer/publisher, (2) annually certify to the CIWMB by March 1 the metric tons of postconsumer waste paper and/or deinked pulp received or produced at each of the mills producing newsprint for use in California, (3) annually certify to the CIWMB the metric tons of RCN, by grade, which were produced at each of the mills, which were shipped for use in California.

See Section 17962 (Manufacturer Requirements)

Q: What documentation must I have to verify compliance?

A. Documentation requirements are different for printers and publishers, suppliers, and manufacturers as outlined below.

Printers and Publishers:

• All newsprint printers/publishers must have the following purchase information for both RCN and non-RCN newsprint:
• A copy of every shipment order, bill of lading, invoice, purchase order, or other evidence of shipment;
• A copy of the annual Newsprint Consumer Certification Form, CIWMB 430 (MS Word, 195 KB) that the printer/publisher sends to the CIWMB; and
• A copy of any supplier certification the printer or publisher has received.

See Section 17958 (Consumer Requirements)

If a publisher/printer could not attain the RCN use requirement and sought an exemption from the CIWMB, the following types of documentation may be used to support the request:

• If the RCN grade available did not meet the standards for brightness, opacity, or machine cross-tear strength, the printer/publisher should receive a technical specification from the manufacturer of that newsprint certifying that the newsprint does not meet the standards. These standards are set every year by the CIWMB by testing all newsprint manufacturers who send in samples of each grade they sell.
• If the RCN grade was not available at a comparable price , the publisher/printer must keep invoices for the newsprint it purchased for its use AND copies of the quoted prices, which it received for the RCN it did not buy during that particular reporting period. Documentation may include written quotes, telephone logs, faxes or e-mails, etc.
• If the RCN grade was not available in a reasonable time, the publisher/printer must keep documentation of the order dates, quoted delivery times and actual receipts of orders. Documentation may include invoices, bills of lading, telephone logs, faxes or e-mails.

See Section 17964 (Quality Standards), Section 17966 (Comparable Price), and Section 17968 (Reasonable Time)

Suppliers: Every shipment of newsprint to a printer/publisher or a supplier requires a certification, which includes the following:

• The supplier’s name, mailing address and phone number.
• The name and physical address of the printer or publisher or supplier to whom the newsprint shipment is being sent.
• The name of the newsprint grade and the date(s) of shipment.
• Total, in metric tons, by grade, of RCN shipped.
• Total, in metric tons, by grade, of newsprint containing less than 40 percent postconsumer waste paper shipped.
• If the shipment contains no RCN, the supplier shall so certify.

See Section 17960 (Supplier Requirements)

Manufacturers: Manufacturers of RCN must keep copies of any certification it sends to printers/publishers, suppliers, or the CIWMB.

See Section 17962 (Manufacturer Requirements)

Q: How long must I maintain the records supporting the certification?

A: Three years for all printers/publishers, suppliers and manufacturers.

See Section 17958 (Consumer Requirements), section 17960 (Supplier Requirements), or section 17962 (Manufacturer Requirements).

Q: Some commercial printers have clients that provide the newsprint it uses in its presses. Should the commercial printer be the business that reports the newsprint on its’ Newsprint Consumer Certification Form #430?

A: YES! If the business uses newsprint, whether the commercial printer or its customer purchases it, then the commercial printer must report it on its Form 430.

See Section 17952 (Purpose and Definitions)

Q: What reasons are acceptable for a publisher/printer not meeting the RCN use requirement?

A: There are only three acceptable reasons for a printer/publisher not meeting the RCN use requirement and they are:

• The RCN did not meet the quality standards established by the CIWMB.
• The RCN was not available at a comparable price to newsprint which is not RCN.
• The RCN was not available in a reasonable time.

These situations must be specific to the grade of newsprint for which the printer/publisher is seeking exemption.

See Section 17972 (Failure to Meet Goals), Section 17964 (Quality Standards), Section 17966 (Comparable Price), and Section 17968 (Reasonable Time)

Q: I am a newsprint publisher/printer. What if I do not comply with these RCP use requirements?

A: On their annual report, a printer/publisher needs to document ALL newsprint suppliers they have contacted to obtain RCN in order to note their good faith efforts. Listing all newsprint suppliers or producers the printer/publisher contacted to purchase RCN is required.

See Section 17972 (Failure to Meet Goals)

If no good faith effort has been attempted and documented, any publisher/printer who does not comply with the statutory requirements may subject to civil penalties of up to $1,000.00.

See Section 17974 (Penalties)

Q: Does the CIWMB compile a report of accomplishments for each certification year?

A: Yes. Anyone interested in obtaining the report can contact the staff listed below.

Last updated: April 03, 2008