MEMA EPR Workshop
Key Highlights
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the history, development, and current state of EPR laws in the U.S. and Europe.
- Learn about specific reporting and compliance requirements relevant to automotive suppliers and manufacturers.
- Explore legal considerations and potential liabilities associated with EPR implementation across the supply chain.
- Discover lessons from European EPR frameworks and how they can inform U.S. compliance strategies.
- Understand the operational and business implications of EPR for both OEM and aftermarket sectors.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is rapidly becoming an important compliance issue for both OE and Aftermarket automotive manufacturers and suppliers. As states across the U.S. consider and implement EPR laws—and as Europe continues to develop its own producer responsibility frameworks—companies across the automotive supply chain need to understand what these requirements mean for their businesses.
The MEMA Center for Sustainability is pleased to host an important EPR workshop led by K Zaremba Consulting, SAP, and Steptoe & Johnson.
This event will take place from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on October 27, 2026, either on Zoom or at the MEMA Southfield Office in Southfield, Michigan.
The program will provide an overview of the history and development of EPR, with a focus on the laws emerging in U.S. states and lessons from Europe. Presenters will explain the compliance and reporting requirements companies may face, explore key legal considerations, and discuss the potential implications for both OE and aftermarket suppliers.
What You’ll Learn:
- The EPR landscape: An overview of EPR, how these programs have developed, and why they are gaining momentum in the U.S.
- State laws and requirements: A look at existing and emerging state-level EPR legislation and what automotive suppliers need to know.
- Reporting and compliance: Understanding what companies may need to report, how reporting works, and the data needed to support compliance.
- Legal implications: Key legal and regulatory considerations, including how EPR requirements may affect responsibilities across the supply chain and an update on current litigation.
- Lessons from Europe: A look at the history and evolution of EPR in Europe and what U.S. companies can learn from those experiences.
- OE and aftermarket impacts: What EPR could mean for original equipment and aftermarket suppliers, including potential operational and business considerations.
Whether your company is already subject to an EPR requirement or is trying to understand what may be coming next, this workshop will provide the context and practical insights needed to navigate this rapidly changing area.
Presenters:
- Kirsten Zaremba, Founder, KZaremba Consulting
- John Martin, National Practice Lead – Sustainability, SAP
- Randall Whitlatch, Member, Steptoe & Johnson
Who Should Attend:
Automotive manufacturers and suppliers, including OE and aftermarket companies, as well as professionals involved in environmental compliance, regulatory affairs, sustainability, legal, supply chain, product management, and corporate strategy. This is a must-attend workshop for anybody in the automotive supply chain to gain an understanding of EPR risks, compliance, and Fee reporting.