Frequently Asked Questions

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• Program: Batteries

  Topic: Management activities , Producer

  Toggle the submenu How are battery producers’ minimum management requirements determined?

  A producer’s individual management requirement is determined by formulas found in section 13 of the Regulation. See the table below for details:

  Supply Report Year for Primary Batteries	Supply Report Year for Rechargeable Batteries	Formula	Performance Year
  2023	2022	[(2023+2022+2021)/3] + (2022+2021+2020)/3] × 45%	2025*
  2024	2023	[(2024+2023+2022)/3] + (2023+2022+2021)/3] × 50%	2026
  2025	2024	[(2025+2024+2023)/3] + (2024+2023+2022)/3] × 50%	2027
  2026	2025	[(2026+2025+2024)/3] + (2025+2024+2023)/3] × 50%	2028

  *For reports submitted in 2024, producers should use RPRA’s manual calculator.

  It is important to note that producers must ensure that all collected batteries are managed, regardless of what their minimum management requirement is.

  Note: Producers with a management requirement below a certain threshold may be exempt from registering with and reporting to RPRA.

  See our FAQ ‘How do I determine if I am an exempt battery producer?’ to learn more.

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• Program: Batteries , ITT/AV , Tires

  Topic: Collection systems , Management activities , PRO , Producer

  Toggle the submenu If a producer meets its collection and management requirements early, can it stop collecting and processing materials?

  No. Producers and PROs working on their behalf must operate the collection systems they have established as required by the Regulation even after their requirements are met. If a consumer is refused permission to drop off materials at a registered collection site, they can contact the Compliance and Registry Team at registry@rpra.ca, 647-496-0530 or toll-free at 1-833-600-0530.

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• Program: Batteries

  Topic: Collection systems , Producer , Registration

  Toggle the submenu As a battery producer who has registered, what other requirements do I need to meet?

  As of July 1, 2020, producers are required to establish and operate a collection system for batteries that meets the accessibility requirements in the regulation. Producers must ensure that all batteries collected are managed regardless of their minimum management requirements.

  For producers to meet their obligations, they have the choice of establishing and operating their own collection and management system or working with one or more producer responsibility organizations (PROs) that are registered with the Authority.

  Please contact the Compliance Team at 833-600-0530 or registry@rpra.ca to discuss other requirements under the Batteries Regulation.

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• Program: Batteries

  Topic: Producer , Registry , Reporting

  Toggle the submenu For annual supply reporting verification, how do I know if I am a small or large battery producer?

  For the purposes of battery supply reporting verification:

  • “Large single-use battery producer” means a battery producer with a minimum management requirement greater than or equal to 50,000 kilograms of single-use batteries in the previous calendar year.
  • “Large rechargeable battery producer” means a battery producer with a minimum management requirement greater than or equal to 5,000 kilograms of rechargeable batteries in the previous calendar year.

  To view your management requirements, log into your Registry account, download a copy of your previous year’s Supply Report and review the section with your minimum management requirements for your reporting year.

  Beginning in 2023, only large producers are required to submit a Supply Data Verification Report. Small producers will no longer be required to submit a verification report but will be subject to inspections. Review the Registry Procedure – Verification and Audit for more information.

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• Program: Batteries , Blue Box , Hazardous and Special Products , ITT/AV , Lighting , Tires

  Topic: Collection systems , Producer

  Toggle the submenu Can a producer collect products or materials that are not designated under RRCEA regulations?

  Yes, a producer, a PRO (producer responsibility organization) on behalf of a producer, or a service provider on behalf of either party, can collect any product or material (including materials or products that are not designated under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 (RRCEA)). For example, a battery producer may choose to collect batteries that weigh over 5kg; a tire producer may choose to collect bicycle tires; or a Blue Box producer may choose to collect books.

  Products or materials that are not designated under RRCEA regulations cannot be counted towards meeting a producer’s collection or management requirements under RRCEA.

  If designated materials are co-collected with materials that are not designated, a person must use a methodology or process acceptable to the Authority to account for those materials. Anyone considering this can contact the Compliance Team to discuss at registry@rpra.ca or 833-600-0530.

  For example, if bicycle tires are collected at the same time as automotive tires, they must be accounted for separately both when collected and when sent to a processor.

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• Program: Batteries , Blue Box , Hazardous and Special Products , ITT/AV , Lighting

  Topic: PRO , Producer , Registry

  Toggle the submenu Why can’t I see the Manage PRO widget to add my PRO choice?

  The Manage PRO option will appear on the dashboard below your list of supply data reports when your supply data reporting is complete and if you have management requirements. If your supply data reporting is below the supply exemption threshold you will not have management requirements, and therefore not need to assign a PRO to assist with your obligations.

  Also note that Account Admin are the only portal users that can manage your PRO’s responsibility, so this widget is not viewable to primary and secondary users.

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• Program: Batteries , Blue Box , Hazardous and Special Products , ITT/AV , Lighting , Tires

  Topic: General , PRO , Producer , Registration

  Toggle the submenu What is a free rider?

  Free riders are obligated parties that:

  • Have not registered or reported to RPRA
  • Have not established a collection and management system (if they are so required to), or;
  • Are not operating a collection and management system (if they are so required to).

  See our FAQs to understand “What is RPRA’s approach to free riders?”, and “What do I do if I think a business is a free rider?”

  To note:

  • Some producers only have requirements to register and report. Please refer to your specific program page on our website to understand producer obligations.
  • Collection and management systems may be accomplished by a producer responsibility organization (PRO) on behalf of a producer through contractual arrangements between the producer and PRO. If a PRO is managing a producer’s collection and management requirements, producers must identify that PRO to RPRA.

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• Program: Batteries , Blue Box , ITT/AV , Lighting

  Topic: Management activities , Producer

  Toggle the submenu How will RPRA determine a producer is using ‘best efforts’?

  In determining whether an obligated producer used best efforts to meet their management requirements, the Compliance Team will consider whether the producer, acting in good faith, took all reasonable steps to meet the requirements outlined in the applicable regulation.

  For example, best efforts in the context of management requirements may involve a producer regularly monitoring the volume of material being collected and managed, and implementing plans for increasing those volumes if the requirements are unlikely to be met.

  Producers can contact the Compliance Team to ask specific questions about fulfilling their obligations.

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• Program: Batteries

  Topic: Producer , Registration

  Toggle the submenu How do I determine if I am an exempt battery producer?

  A battery producer qualifies for an exemption if their average weight of supply for that calendar year is:

  • Less than or equal to 2,500 kg of rechargeable batteries, or
  • Less than or equal to 5,000 kg of primary batteries.

  Average supply weight is determined using the following formula:

  Average weight of rechargeable batteries = (Y3 + Y4 + Y5) / 3

  • Eg. 2025 average weight of supply = (2022 + 2021 + 2020) / 3

  Average weight of primary batteries = (Y2 + Y3 + Y4) / 3

  • Eg. 2025 average weight of supply = (2023 + 2022 + 2021) / 3

  Battery producers that meet the exemption criteria are exempt from:

  • Registering and reporting to RPRA.
  • Establishing a collection and management system.
  • Meeting management requirements.
  • Promotion and education requirements.

  Producers must verify that they continue to meet the exemption annually, since their average weight of supply will change from year to year.

  Exempt producers must keep records related to the weight of batteries (by category) supplied into Ontario each year and provide them to RPRA upon request.

  Producers are advised to confirm their exemption with the Compliance Team at 833-600-0530 or registry@rpra.ca.

  Also see our FAQ: ‘How are battery producers’ minimum management requirements determined?‘

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• Program: Batteries

  Topic: Management activities , Producer

  Toggle the submenu What is battery supply data used for?

  Producer supply data is used to calculate their individual minimum management requirements under the Batteries Regulation.

  To learn how calculations are formulated, visit the FAQ How are battery producer minimum management requirements determined?

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