Federal Plastics Registry – New update!

by | May 1, 2024 | Canadian Quality Assurance, Canadian Regulatory, Federal Plastics Registry

Government of Canada is seeking information about their plastic management strategies from companies for the purpose of conducting research, creating an inventory of data, formulating objectives and codes of practice, issuing guidelines or assessing or reporting on the state of the environment.

A section 46 information-gathering notice was published on April 22, 2024 which is authorized under CEPA to allow the Minister to collect the relevant data from the industry to develop the Federal Plastics Registry.

The following is requested from companies (including resin manufacturers, service providers, and producers of plastic products):

  • An annual report on the quantity and types of plastic they manufacture, import, and place on the market.
  • Report on the quantity of plastic collected and diverted, reused, repaired, remanufactured, refurbished, recycled, processed into chemicals, composted, incinerated, and landfilled.
  • Report on the amount of plastic waste generated on their industrial, commercial, and institutional premises.

To gather and provide accessible, consistent and robust plastic data, a Canada-wide Action Plan on Zero Plastic Waste has been introduced to ensure that the federal, provincial, and territorial governments commit to developing and maintaining Canada-wide data on how plastic moves through the economy.  Exemptions for annual reports are in place for small producers placing less than one tonne of plastic on the market.

Federal Plastics Registry’s reporting guidelines are to be declared in phases to allow sufficient time and flexibility for those obligated to report. The reporting requirements are as follows:

September 2025 – Reporting on plastic placed on the market in three categories (Packaging, Electronic and electrical equipment and Single-use or disposable plastic products) for the 2024 calendar year.

2026 – Further reporting requirements for the remaining categories including plastic waste generated at industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities, plastic collected at end-of-life to be introduced in 2026.

2027– Additional reporting requirements on plastics collected and sent for diversion and disposal for more categories will be added.

The reporting requirements plan for further years will be covered in future information-gathering notices.