The Canadian Federal Plastics Registry

Overview

As part of Canada’s plan to move toward the goal of zero plastic waste by 2030, the Government of Canada is taking ambitious action to reduce plastic pollution and help Canadians move towards a circular economy through an evidence-based and comprehensive plan that addresses the entire lifecycle of plastics and keeps plastic in the economy and out of the environment.

This plan includes establishing a Federal Plastics Registry that will require companies (including resin manufacturers, service providers and producers of plastic products) to report annually on the quantity and types of plastic they manufacture, import, and place on the market. Producers of plastic products and service providers will also be required to report on the quantity of plastic collected for diversion, reused, repaired, remanufactured, refurbished, recycled, processed into chemicals, composted, incinerated, and landfilled.  Reporting on the amount of packaging and other plastic waste generated on industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) premises will be mandatory.

The Federal Plastics Registry sets a clear pathway to collect critical information that will inform and support the implementation of Canada’s evidence-based and comprehensive plan and help measure progress over time to prevent plastic pollution and protect the environment.

To lessen plastic waste and assist its citizens in transitioning to a circular economy, Canada has put in place some very ambitious initiatives. As a result, creating the Federal Plastics Registry is one of these actions. Under this effort, specific plastics producers and suppliers are required to file yearly reports detailing the quantity and kinds of plastics they create, import, and distribute to the market.

What is the Federal Plastics Registry?

Globally, there is great worry over plastic pollution, especially microplastic contamination. Canada is pursuing the goal of having zero plastic waste by 2030 through the implementation of various projects. Environment and Climate Change Canada announced the creation of the Federal Plastics Registry in the Canada Gazette on April 20, 2024. This notice is being sent in accordance with section 46 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), which deals with information gathering. In order to support efforts to prevent plastic pollution by keeping plastics out of the environment and within the economy, the registry intends to gather data on a national scale. Stated differently, this notice requires businesses, such as those who make resin and plastic products, to furnish the Environment Minister with information regarding particular plastic items. As a result, the Minister uses this data for reporting, environmental evaluation, goal-setting, inventory creation, and issuance of guidance.

Which Product Categories Fall Under the Plastics Registry?

The registry pertains to all resins and plastic products listed in Schedule 1 of the notice, whether manufactured in Canada, imported, or placed on the Canadian market. The categories of products affected by this notice are in the following parts:

1. Resins classified according to the North American Product Classification System (NAPCS)
2. Resins made from different sources, including fossil-based, bio-based, and recycled resins
3. Rigid and flexible plastic packaging, such as beverage containers and hazardous materials packaging
4. Other plastic products that fall under the following subcategories:

• Electronic and Electrical Equipment (EEE), including consumer equipment, telecommunication devices, appliances, lighting equipment, monitoring and control instruments, medical devices, toys, dispensers, photovoltaic panels, vehicle chargers, etc.
• Tires
• Transportation devices
• Construction materials
• Products used in agriculture and horticulture
• Fishing and aquaculture equipment
• Apparel and textiles
• Disposable or single-use items, such as food containers and personal protective equipment

Who Has to Report Under the Federal Plastics Registry?

The notice applies to:

1. A person who produces, imports, and places resins listed above (parts 1 and 2) on the Canadian market
2. Manufacturers of plastic products listed above (parts 3 and 4)
3. An individual who generates waste from packaging and plastic products within their commercial, institutional, or industrial establishment

A person offering services for managing plastics or plastic products as listed above (parts 3 and 4). These management services include collection, reuse, refurbishment, recycling, composting, incineration with or without energy recovery, processing into chemicals and fuels, and landfilling.

Notably, under this notice, there is no need to submit a report if an individual:

1. Produces, imports, or distributes fewer than 1,000 kg of packaging or plastic products annually
2. Produces less than 1,000 kg of waste from packaging and plastic products at their industrial, commercial, or institutional settings per year
3. Handle less than 1,000 kg of plastic annually through the management services.

Reporting Timelines

This notice applies to the 2024, 2025, and 2026 calendar years. The table below indicates the submission deadlines for information concerning each year and the corresponding affected categories.

What are the Reporting Requirements?

The individuals or entities falling under this notice must disclose the following information in their report:

1. The identity of plastic resins, plastic packaging, or other plastic products
2. Their source (fossil-based, bio-based, recycled, etc.)
3. Their quantity (for each calendar year), and
4. The method used to determine the quantity.

The subject individuals and entities must submit the requested information via an online portal.

Furthermore, those subject to the notice must retain copies of the information and any accompanying data for three years following the submission deadline. If the individual opts to store the information at the Canadian parent company, they must notify the Minister of the physical address of that parent company.

Moreover, confidentiality requests for submitted information are permissible, though the Minister may still disclose it under certain circumstances.

Finally, every affected individual and entity must follow the notice instructions. Non-compliance with the notice may lead to legal liabilities under the CEPA Act.