Canada’s federal plastics registry is introducing mandatory reporting requirements for businesses across the plastics value chain, as authorities seek clearer data on plastic production, use and waste.
Managed by Environment and Climate Change Canada, the registry requires companies to submit annual data on plastics they manufacture, import and place on the market.
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The measure forms part of a wider policy approach to reduce plastic waste and support a circular economy.
What businesses must report
The Canada plastics registry applies to a wide range of organisations, including resin manufacturers, importers, product manufacturers and waste management firms.
Companies must report detailed data on the full lifecycle of plastics. This includes volumes produced, imported and sold, as well as how materials are collected, reused, recycled, incinerated or sent to landfill.
The reporting requirement is mandatory under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Companies that fail to comply, submit late or provide inaccurate data may face enforcement action.
The system is being introduced in stages. The first phase covers data for 2024, with reporting deadlines beginning in 2025. Later phases are expected to expand the scope to more product types and waste streams.
Why plastic waste data is being tracked
The registry aims to close gaps in national data on plastic use and disposal. It creates a central system to track plastics from production through to end-of-life.
Authorities plan to use the data to assess progress in reducing plastic pollution and to identify areas where waste management can improve. The initiative also supports Canada’s broader goal of moving towards zero plastic waste.
Standardised reporting is a central feature. Consistent data across sectors and regions is expected to improve transparency and support more informed policy decisions.
Impact on supply chains
The federal plastics registry Canada framework has direct implications for manufacturers, importers and retailers operating in the country.
Businesses must collect detailed information from across their supply chains, including input from suppliers on material composition and product design. This may require new data systems and closer coordination between partners.
The reporting threshold generally applies to organisations handling more than 1,000 kilograms of plastic each year, bringing a large number of companies within scope.
The registry does not replace existing provincial systems. It is intended to align data at a national level while local extended producer responsibility programmes continue to operate.
As future phases expand reporting requirements, companies are expected to face more detailed disclosure obligations, increasing the role of data in shaping Canada’s plastics regulation and waste reduction efforts.
