Canada’s Federal Plastics Registry: Phase 1 Deadline Is Fast Approaching

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Chemicals

Plastic bottles and trash floating in the ocean

25 Jun 2025

As part of Canada’s ambitious effort to combat plastic pollution, the Federal Plastics Registry has been introduced as a key initiative to monitor and track the lifecycle of plastics. By collecting annual data, the government can work towards its goals of reducing plastic pollution, improving recycling systems, and fostering innovation in sustainable packaging solutions.

With the Phase 1 reporting deadline set for 29 September 2025, companies across Canada must be prepared to comply with the requirements outlined in the Section 46 Notice (published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on 20 April 2024) to avoid penalties and support Canada’s environmental goals.

What Is Phase 1 Reporting and Who Does It Apply To?

Phase 1 focuses on gathering data for plastic products that typically end up in household waste streams. The data collected and reported as part of this phase will be from the 2024 calendar year.

The Phase 1 reporting requirements apply to any Canadian company that imports, manufactures, or places quantities of plastic packaging, electronic and electrical equipment, or single-use or disposable products on the Canadian market in an amount equal to or above 1,000 kg per calendar year. This includes resin manufacturers, service providers, and producers of plastic products.

What Needs to Be Reported?

The Phase 1 reporting requirements vary depending on where a company falls in the supply chain, but generally companies will need to report on the:

Category and subcategory of packaging or plastic products;
Resin type in packaging or plastic products;
Resin source in packaging or plastic products;
Quantity (kg) of each resin in packaging or plastic products; and
Calculation methods for determining quantity.

Reporting for the Federal Plastics Registry is online through the Regulatory Services Platform (RSP).

Intertek Assuris is Here to Help!

Intertek Assuris understands that preparing for the Federal Plastics Registry reporting deadline can be challenging, requiring knowledge of specific calculation methods and communication along the supply chain. If you need support with your upcoming reporting deadline, contact our experts at Intertek Assuris. We’re here to help.

References:

Federal Plastics Registry: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/managing-reducing-waste/reduce-plastic-waste/federal-plastics-registry.html

Section 46 Notice: https://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2024/2024-04-20/html/notice-avis-eng.html

Sandra Dowlat

Scientific & Regulatory Affairs Consultant 2 Chemicals Group, Intertek Assuris

Sandra Dowlat is a Scientific & Regulatory Affairs Consultant 2 and has been with Intertek Health Sciences Inc. since 2007. Working with numerous clients, Ms. Dowlat’s primary focus and role includes providing clients with timely and cost-effective regulatory strategies under the various new and existing chemical notification program, the management and preparation of New Substance Notifications, and support with the Canadian Chemical Management (CM) initiatives under the Chemicals Management Plan.