Canada’s Federal Plastics Registry: Reporting Obligations, Phased Implementation, and National Scope

Established under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), the Federal Plastics Registry (FPR), is a central element in Canada’s efforts to reduce plastic waste and promote a circular economy. Administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the Registry collects standardized national data on plastics placed on the Canadian market and how they are managed at the end of their life cycle.

The FPR is designed to improve transparency and accountability across the plastics value chain as well as harmonizing reporting across jurisdictions. Unlike existing provincial extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs, which differ in scope and definitions, the FPR establishes consistent national reporting requirements. It aims to capture plastics throughout their entire lifecycle, from manufacture and import to reuse, recycling, and disposal, providing a clear picture of how plastics circulate within the Canadian economy.

Phase 1: Initial Reporting Cycle for Producers

The first phase of the FPR applies to producers (including manufacturers, importers, and sellers) of plastic packaging and selected plastic products. Reporting covers data for the 2024 calendar year, with submissions due by 29 September 2025.

The ECCC’s detailed Phase 1 reporting guidance helped companies determine their obligations, identify applicable data categories, and calculate quantities based on resin and product types.

Producers and service providers must report on all plastics placed on the market, as well as those that are collected, reused, repaired, remanufactured, refurbished, recycled, composted, incinerated, or landfilled. They must also disclose the amount of plastic waste generated on their industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) premises.

Reporting under the FPR is mandatory under CEPA, and non-compliance may result in enforcement measures.

Extension Possibility under CEPA 46(6)

Under subsection 46(6) of CEPA, the Minister of the Environment may extend the reporting date set out in a Section 46 Notice, provided that a written request is submitted before the applicable deadline. While this option is no longer available for the 2024 reporting cycle, similar provisions may apply in future phases of the Federal Plastics Registry.

Future Phases and Ongoing Compliance

The Registry is being implemented gradually to expand its scope.

• Phase 2 (reporting in 2026) will extend obligations to resin manufacturers and importers, as well as to producers of additional plastic categories not covered in Phase 1. These include construction materials, textiles, and agricultural plastics.
• Phase 3 (planned for after 2026) is expected to incorporate recyclers, waste management operators, and other service providers, capturing the movement of plastics from production to recovery and final disposal.

Each new phase builds on previously collected data, enabling the ECCC to develop a comprehensive national dataset covering the full lifecycle of plastics.

By standardizing data collection across Canada, the Registry will also help to align federal and provincial EPR programs, closing existing information gaps and supporting evidence-based policy decisions.

The ECCC encourages businesses to review the current guidance and prepare for future annual submissions as Canada advances towards its zero plastic waste target by 2030.