The American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) will host a dedicated Packaging Forum on March 4, 2026, aimed at helping furniture manufacturers, importers, retailers and packaging suppliers prepare for the rapid expansion of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) packaging laws across the United States. The one-day event will take place at the Conference Center at Guilford Technical Community College in Colfax, North Carolina.

EPR packaging legislation requires companies to take financial and operational responsibility for the packaging materials they place on the market, including the waste generated once products reach consumers. As of early 2026, seven U.S. states — Oregon, Colorado, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, California and Washington — have already passed or begun implementing EPR packaging laws, with additional states expected to follow.

These regulations introduce new obligations ranging from registration and data reporting to fee payments and potential penalties. For the furniture industry, which relies heavily on bulky, multi-material protective packaging, EPR compliance represents a significant operational and financial challenge.

The AHFA forum will provide a detailed overview of how current and upcoming EPR laws apply specifically to furniture shipping and protective packaging. Sessions will examine common packaging components such as corrugated cartons, molded foams, plastics and protective films, and identify where companies face the highest compliance risks.

In addition to outlining regulatory timelines and expected costs, the forum will highlight emerging packaging alternatives designed to reduce environmental impact and regulatory exposure. Topics include packaging redesign, material substitution, right-sizing strategies and improved data collection to better track packaging volumes by state.

According to Alex Williams, AHFA manager of sustainability and regulatory compliance, the event builds on industry discussions that intensified in 2025 as EPR rules began moving from theory to enforcement. He noted that previous AHFA regulatory sessions revealed specific packaging components that could trigger higher fees under EPR schemes, reinforcing the need for targeted changes rather than broad assumptions.

Invited speakers include representatives from the Circular Action Alliance, which is responsible for implementing EPR packaging programs in several U.S. states. Additional presenters include experts from rePurpose Global, EFP LLC and Multi-Wall (Signode), covering compliance platforms, reporting tools and engineered protective packaging solutions.

An industry panel will focus on best practices for complying with EPR regulations, with an emphasis on accurate packaging data collection, internal coordination and long-term compliance planning. The tentative agenda runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes lunch.

The Packaging Forum is open to manufacturers, importers, retailers, shippers and packaging suppliers. Registration costs $99 for AHFA member company employees and $199 for non-members. With EPR packaging laws reshaping packaging design, sourcing and reporting across the furniture sector, the forum aims to equip companies with practical guidance to prepare for the regulatory landscape beyond 2026.