Ontario is proposing a series of amendments that impact four producer responsibility regulations, each with the aim of increasing flexibility and simplifying requirements for producers, while ensuring protection for the environment and consumers.
Public consultation for the amendments under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016, addresses tires, batteries, electronic equipment and hazardous products.
The proposed changes to Ontario’s producer responsibility framework are designed to ease compliance while ensuring that waste reduction and diversion targets are met. Public consultations on the amendments will allow stakeholders to provide feedback until October 20 before they are finalized.
The changes involve four key regulations: the Tires Regulation (O. Reg. 225/18), the Batteries Regulation (O. Reg. 30/20), the Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) Regulation (O. Reg. 522/20), and the Hazardous and Special Products (HSP) Regulation (O. Reg. 449/21).
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Collection Network Flexibility
Several changes are being proposed to allow producers more options in how they meet their collection network requirements. For example, producers would be permitted to offset required collection sites in one municipality by establishing them in neighboring areas. They could also hold more collection events instead of setting up traditional sites, and all municipal collection sites, including those open seasonally, would count as permanent sites.
Additionally, amendments would provide producers more time to adjust their networks following population updates and ensure that population density is accurately reflected in the number of required sites. A notable adjustment for the HSP Regulation is the option for producers to meet collection requirements by relying on existing municipal networks rather than setting up new ones.
Reducing Administrative Burden
The government is also aiming to streamline administrative processes. Proposed changes include removing the recycling efficiency rate requirements for certain materials, adjusting exemptions for small producers based on supply tonnage, and easing record-keeping and reporting obligations. These changes are intended to make compliance easier for producers and reduce red tape, according to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
Regulation-Specific Adjustments
Each regulation would also see specific changes. For example, the Tires Regulation would see a revised management target starting in 2025 and a higher weight threshold for regulated tires, meaning smaller tires would no longer be counted in reporting requirements. The Batteries Regulation would extend the deadline for reaching a 50% management target from 2025 to 2030.
In the EEE Regulation, producers would no longer be able to count the weight of refurbished products as double for reporting purposes, simplifying the process.
The Hazardous and Special Products Regulation would see changes such as reclassifying refillable pressurized containers and shifting responsibility for managing antifreeze and oil filters to vehicle brand holders.
