Canada’s new environmental stewardship regulation, published under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 (CEPA), aims to create a comprehensive Federal Plastics Registry. This initiative mandates detailed reporting on plastic products starting in 2024.

1. Background

The new regulation will gather extensive data on plastic production, usage, and disposal in Canada, creating a database of information crucial for developing strategies to reduce plastic waste and enhance recycling efforts. By understanding the lifecycle of plastics from production to disposal, policymakers can create more effective environmental policies.

2. Who Is Affected?

Any person who produces, manufactures, imports, or places qualifying plastics on the market in Canada must report annually. Additionally, any person who generates packaging and plastic product waste at their industrial, commercial or institutional facility and all service providers for the management of qualifying plastics are required to report annual data. Exceptions exist for those manufacturing, managing, or producing under 1,000kg of plastic per year.

3. Deadlines

Affected companies must report comprehensive data annually. The data required for each subcategory of plastic varies by year, as a phased-in approach will be used.

• 2024 Data: Must be submitted by September 29, 2025.

• 2025 Data: Must be submitted by September 29, 2026.

• 2026 Data: Must be submitted by September 29, 2027.

• 2027 Data: Reporting requirements for 2027 and beyond will be announced in a future information-gathering notice.

The 2025 deadline requires reporting on packaging, single-use or disposable plastic products, and electronic and electrical equipment.

3. What Plastics are Affected?

The regulation covers a broad spectrum of plastic products, with additional categories and data collection required each year until 2027. Some categories of affected plastics include:

• Textiles and apparel

• Plastic resins

• Packaging

• Electronic and electrical equipment

• Single-use or disposable plastic products

• Agriculture and horticulture

• Tires

• Transportation

• Construction

• Fishing and aquaculture

Reporting phases based on category and year are deliniated by the Government of Canada here.

4. Data to be Reported

Required information varies based on the entity’s relation to the plastics. Some reporting requirements include:

• Type and source of plastics (listed by by resin, category and subcategory) used in manufacturing.

• Quantities of plastics produced, collected, recycled, processed into chemicals, and sent to final disposal.

• Methods used to determine these quantities.

5. How Snaplinc Can Help

Compliance is time-consuming and complicated; Snaplinc provides comprehensive compliance services to take the guesswork out of your sustainability strategy. Our team supports clients in:

• Data Collection and Management: Gathering and organizing the necessary data on plastic resins and products.

• Regulatory Compliance Audits: Conducting audits to ensure all data meets regulatory standards and requirements.

• Training and Workshops: Educating internal teams on compliance processes and reporting protocols.

• Reporting Assistance: Preparing and submitting accurate reports through the Environment and Climate Change Canada online portal.

• Confidentiality Requests: Submission of confidentiality requests to maintain trade secret privacy.

• Ongoing Support: Providing continuous guidance and updates as this regulation evolves and changes through 2027.

By leveraging these services, clients can ensure timely, accurate, and compliant reporting, mitigating the risk of financial or reputational penalties, all while developing a solid sustainability strategy.

6. How to Report Data

Submissions must be made through the designated online portal. Entities are required to maintain records of the submitted information, including calculations and measurements, for three years from the submission date. The Minister will make at least part of the collected information publicly available; confidentiality requests can be made if the information meets criteria in Section 52.

6. Conclusion

Non-compliance with these new reporting requirements will be penalized under the broader Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. Entities involved in the production and management of plastics should prepare to comply with these new requirements, ensuring accurate and timely data submission to avoid penalties—and contribute to Canada's sustainability goals.

Photos by Bekky Bekks and Jahongir Ismoilov