Federal Plastics Registry

The Federal Plastics Registry (FPR) is Canada’s national system to track plastics from production to end-of-life. It was created to support Canada’s Zero Plastic Waste agenda by:

• Reducing plastic pollution
• Providing clear, consistent data nationwide
• Helping businesses and communities make informed sustainability decisions
• Standardizing data collection across provincial and territorial Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs

The FPR provides accessible, consistent, and robust plastic data that will cover more categories than currently captured through domestic EPR programs.

You must report if you place more than 1,000 kg of plastic packaging, single-use/disposable products, or electronics into the residential market each year.

Producers defined as:

• Brand owners or intellectual property holders who reside in Canada
• If the brand owner is not in Canada, the first person to manufacture/import the product
• If there is no resident importer or distributor, the retailer that places plastic products on the market

Small businesses below the 1,000 kg threshold are exempt.

Businesses must report the following information:

• Quantities of plastics (in kg) manufactured, imported, or sold
• Resin types and sources (virgin fossil-based, bio-based, post-consumer recycled, post-industrial recycled)
• Category and subcategory of plastic products or packaging
• End-of-life outcomes (collected for diversion, recycled, reused, repaired, remanufactured, refurbished, composted, incinerated, or landfilled)
• Waste stream designation (residential or industrial/commercial/institutional)
• Province/territory where products were placed on the market
• Calculation methods used to determine quantities

Reporting is being implemented in phases:

Phase 1 (2025):

• Reporting deadline: September 29, 2025
• Data year: 2024
• Scope: Plastic packaging (filled and unfilled), electronic and electrical equipment, and single-use or disposable products destined for the residential waste stream only

Phase 2 (2026):

• Adds plastic resins, remaining product categories, and industrial/commercial/institutional (ICI) waste streams

Phase 3 (2027):

• Adds additional end-of-life data for more categories

Phase 4 (2028):

• Full lifecycle reporting for all plastic types

The FPR allows three acceptable calculation methods, in descending order of accuracy:

1. Specific Component Identification Method

   • Use actual weights of plastic components
   • Most accurate method
   • Formula: (Quantity sold) × (Weight per component) = Total plastic weight

2. Average Bill of Materials (ABOM) Method

   • Group similar products and determine average plastic content
   • Apply average to total units sold
   • Useful for multiple similar products

3. Fixed-Factor Calculation Method

   • Use pre-set conversion factors (e.g., percentage by weight)
   • Multiply factor by total units sold
   • Less precise but acceptable when detailed data unavailable

Note: You must identify and document which calculation method you used in your submission.

Yes, but only for truly confidential information. To request confidentiality, you must provide a rationale explaining why, such as:

• The information constitutes a trade secret
• Disclosure would likely cause material financial loss or prejudice your competitive position
• Disclosure would interfere with contractual or other negotiations

Information generally NOT expected to be confidential includes:

• Province/territory where plastic products were placed on the market or collected
• Category and subcategory of plastic products
• Whether plastics belong to residential or ICI waste streams

The Government of Canada may review confidentiality claims and may disclose information if it serves to protect the environment or is necessary for administration or enforcement of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).