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Canada Federal Plastics Registry (FPR)

Canada Federal Plastics Registry (FPR): Canada’s Federal Plastics Registry introduces mandatory reporting on plastics placed on the market

Maílis Carrilho
Written by Maílis Carrilho
Updated on December 15th, 2025

Summary

The Federal Plastics Registry (FPR) is a mandatory national reporting system established under subsection 46(1) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). It requires producers, importers, and other entities that manufacture, import, or place specified plastic products and packaging on the Canadian market to report detailed annual data on plastics by type and quantity. Reporting helps create a national plastics inventory to support evidence-based policy and measures to reduce plastic waste and pollution. The Registry is phased in over multiple years, expanding product categories and data scope over time. Non-compliance with reporting obligations, or providing false or misleading information may lead to penalties under CEPA.

Details

Jurisdictions
  • Canada
Exemptions

Reporting to the Federal Plastics Registry is mandatory for entities meeting the defined scope thresholds.

Criteria_

Data submission must follow prescribed formats, timelines, and classification standards.

Record retention requirements apply for verification and enforcement purposes.

Exceptions:

Small producers or entities below defined thresholds may be excluded or subject to reduced reporting.

Certain plastic categories or activities may be phased in over time rather than immediately covered.

The Registry focuses on reporting obligations and does not itself impose bans or recycling targets.

Deep dive

2 min read
Updated Dec 15, 2025

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What’s Required

Producers, importers, and certain service providers must submit periodic reports covering:

  • Quantities and types of plastic products placed on the Canadian market.

  • Packaging formats, resin types, and end-use categories.

  • Information on plastic waste management, diversion, and recovery, where applicable.

  • Accurate recordkeeping to substantiate reported data.

Important Deadlines

  • April 20, 2024: Canada Gazette notice issued establishing FPR reporting requirements for calendar years 2024–2026.

  • September 29, 2025: Phase 1 reporting deadline for data on plastics (including plastic packaging, electronic and electrical equipment, and single-use or disposable products) for calendar year 2024.

  • September 29, 2026: Phase 2 reporting deadline for data on plastics for calendar year 2025, expanding scope (e.g., plastic resins, additional product categories).

  • September 29, 2027: Phase 3 reporting deadline for data on plastics for calendar year 2026, with deeper reporting requirements including waste streams and end-of-life data.

Entities must retain all records and supporting documentation used for reporting for three years after each reporting deadline.

Current Status

  • The Federal Plastics Registry is in force with phased reporting requirements.

  • Initial reporting phases prioritize packaging and single-use plastics, with expansion to additional categories over time.

  • The Registry operates as a national data foundation for future plastics policy measures.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

  • Failure to report, inaccurate reporting, or recordkeeping violations are enforceable under CEPA.

  • Penalties may include fines, compliance orders, and other enforcement actions.

Examples of Known Violations

  • A consumer goods company placing plastic packaging on the Canadian market must report annual quantities by resin type and packaging category.

  • A packaging importer must consolidate supplier data to ensure complete and accurate registry submissions.

Resources


Maílis Carrilho
Added by:
Maílis Carrilho
Sustainability Research Analyst
Maílis Carrilho is a Sustainability Research Analyst (Intern) at Net Zero Compare, contributing research and analysis on climate tech, carbon policies, and sustainable solutions. She supports the team in developing fact-based content and insights to help companies and readers navigate the evolving sustainability landscape.
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Added on Dec 17, 2025 by Maílis Carrilho · Updated on Dec 15, 2025