Mandatory reporting to Federal Plastics Registry

Summary#

The federal government, through Environment and Climate Change Canada, is requiring companies to report data on plastic resins and many types of plastic products for the Federal Plastics Registry for the years 2024, 2025, and 2026 under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The notice sets what data must be sent, when (with phased deadlines), how to submit it, and who can be exempt.

What it does#

• Requires certain businesses and service providers to submit data about plastic resins and plastic products for calendar years 2024, 2025, and 2026.
• Asks for basic company information, including contact details and the federal business number, plus industry codes and where products are sold in Canada.
• Requires quantities (in kilograms) by resin type and source for products manufactured in, imported into, or placed on the Canadian market. It also asks for quantities by province/territory.
• Requires end‑of‑life and waste data for many products, including amounts collected, recycled (mechanically or chemically), composted, incinerated (with or without energy recovery), converted to chemicals or fuels, reused, refurbished, remanufactured, repaired, or sent to landfill.
• Phased reporting:
  • For 2024, a narrower set of resins and product categories is due.
  • For 2025 and 2026, the scope widens to cover more resin types, almost all product categories listed, and more end‑of‑life data.
• Submission must be done through the online portal for the Federal Plastics Registry.
• Deadlines: 2024 data due no later than September 29, 2025; 2025 data due no later than September 29, 2026; 2026 data due no later than September 29, 2027.
• Companies must keep the submitted information and supporting calculations or measurements for three years.
• There is an exemption for entities that manufacture, import, place on the market, generate, or manage less than 1 000 kg of plastic products, packaging or plastic waste per calendar year.
• Businesses can request confidential treatment of submitted data under the Act, but the government may still disclose information in certain cases.
• Contact point for questions: the Federal Plastics Registry within the Plastics Regulatory Affairs Division of Environment and Climate Change Canada (email listed in the notice).

Who's affected#

• Manufacturers and importers of plastic resins and plastic products sold in Canada.
• Producers and brand owners who place plastic packaging or products on the market in Canada.
• Service providers that collect, haul, recycle, compost, incinerate, or otherwise manage plastic products and packaging.
• Generators of packaging and plastic waste at industrial, commercial, or institutional (ICI) facilities.
• Producer responsibility organizations (PROs) that report on behalf of producers.
• Small businesses and activities that are under 1 000 kg per year are exempt from reporting.
• If it is unclear whether an entity meets the criteria, the notice lists detailed categories and schedules to help decide who must report.

Why it matters#

• The data will give the government a clearer picture of what plastic resins and products are entering the Canadian market and how they are managed at end of life. That can shape future rules, recycling targets, and policies.
• Businesses that sell or handle plastics need to gather and keep technical and weight data. That can mean new record-keeping and reporting work, and possibly costs to compile accurate figures.
• The information can affect provincial Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs, industry planning, and investments in recycling and waste management.
• For the public, the registry aims to improve transparency about plastic production and waste in Canada and help the government make decisions intended to reduce plastic pollution.