Frequently Asked Questions

Beginning October 1, 2021, producers of oil filters and non-refillable pressurized containers, or PROs acting on their behalf, are required to establish and operate a promotion and education program including the following:

• promote their collection and management services with respect to the type of HSP they are obligated for
• provide the following information on a website with respect to that type of HSP:
  • the location of each HSP collection site established or operated by the producer that is accessible to the public and the types of HSP accepted at each site
  • the location and date of each HSP collection event held by the producer and the types of HSP accepted at each event
  • a description of the collection services provided by the producer, other than HSP collection sites and HSP collection events
  • a description of how the producer manages that type of HSP after it is collected
  • create promotional and educational materials with respect to that type of HSP that include the following:
    • the website URL
    • a description of how that type of HSP is collected and managed
  • the producer shall make the promotional and educational materials available to retailers that supply that type of HSP, municipal governments and Indigenous communities, and shall solicit and consider feedback on how the promotional and educational materials can be improved
  • the producer shall promote each HSP collection event for that type of HSP in the local municipality or territorial district where it will be held for at least one week prior to the date of the event using a combination of two or more forms of media, including but not limited to:
    • local print publications
    • local print media
    • local radio
    • local signage or social media

Beginning October 1, 2021, producers, or PROs acting on their behalf, of oil containers, antifreeze, pesticides, solvents, paints and coatings are required to establish and operate a promotion and education program including the following:

• Promote their collection and management services with respect to the type of HSP they are obligated for
• Provide the following information on a website with respect to that type of HSP:
  • the location of each HSP collection site established or operated by the producer that is accessible to the public and the types of HSP accepted at each site
  • the location and date of each HSP collection event held by the producer and the types of HSP accepted at each event
  • a description of the collection services provided by the producer, other than HSP collection sites and HSP collection events
  • a description of how the producer manages that type of HSP after it is collected
• Create promotional and educational materials with respect to that type of HSP that include the following:
  • the address of the website
  • a description of how that type of HSP is collected and managed
• The producer shall make the promotional and educational materials available to retailers that supply that type of HSP, municipal governments and Indigenous communities, and shall solicit and consider feedback on how the promotional and educational materials can be improved
• The producer shall promote each HSP collection event for that type of HSP in the local municipality or territorial district where it will be held for at least one week prior to the date of the event using a combination of two or more forms of media, including but not limited to:
  • local print publications
  • local print media
  • local radio
  • local signage or social media

A hauler is a person who arranges for the transport of HSP that are used by consumers in Ontario and are destined for processing, reuse, refurbishing or disposal, but does not include a person who arranges for the transport of HSP initially generated by that person

As of October 1, 2021, producers, or PROs acting on their behalf, are required to establish and operate a system for managing HSP by satisfying their management requirements as follows:

• All oil containers, antifreeze, solvents, paints and coatings picked up from a collection site must be processed within three months from the date of the pickup
• Producers must ensure that materials are processed by an HSP processor registered with RPRA. In 2027, producers or PROs on their behalf must use a processor who met, at a minimum, the average recycling efficiency rate (RER)specified in the table below in the calendar year two years prior for the type of HSP:

• Producers of pesticides must ensure that pesticides are properly disposed of at an HSP disposal facility registered with RPRA no later than three months after the day the pesticides are collected

As an HSP producer of mercury containing barometers, thermometers or thermostats, what are my management requirements?

Producers must ensure that, no later than three months from the date of the pickup, the HSP is processed by an HSP processor who is registered with RPRA.

In 2027, producers or PROs on their behalf must use a processor who met, at a minimum, the average recycling efficiency rate (RER) specified in the table below in the calendar year two years prior:

Beginning October 1, 2021, producers or PROs acting on their behalf, of mercury-containing devices are required to establish and operate a promotion and education program that:

• Promotes their collection and management services with respect to the type of HSP they are obligated for
• Provides the following information on a website with respect to that type of HSP:
  • the presence of mercury in that type of HSP
  • how to distinguish that type of HSP from similar products that do not contain mercury
  • the hazards to human health and the environment related to mercury
  • how consumers can properly dispose of that type of HSP
  • a description of the collection services provided by the producer under this Regulation for that type of HSP
  • a description of how the producer manages that type of HSP after it is collected under this Regulation
• Creates promotional and educational materials with respect to that type of HSP that include the following:
  • the address of the website
  • a description of how that type of HSP is collected and managed
• The producer shall make the promotional and educational materials available to retailers that supply that type of HSP or similar products that do not contain mercury, municipal governments, and Indigenous communities, and shall solicit and consider feedback from those retailers, municipal governments and Indigenous communities on how the promotional and educational materials can be improved

A processor is a person who processes, for the purpose of resource recovery, HSP used by consumers in Ontario

Producers shall ensure that, no later than three months after the day the material is collected, the HSP is processed by an HSP processor who is registered with RPRA.

On and after January 1, 2023, producers or PROs on behalf of producers shall ensure that the HSP is processed by an HSP processor at a facility in respect of which the HSP processor reported an average recycling efficiency rate for that type of HSP that is at least the percentage set out in the table below.

An HSP producer qualifies for an exemption if their average weight of supply for the previous calendar year is less than or equal to the weight specified in the chart below:

See our FAQ “Am I a small, large, or exempt HSP producer?” to determine how to calculate if you are an exempt HSP producer.

HSP producers that meet the exemption criteria are exempt from:

• Registering and reporting to RPRA
• Establishing a collection and management system
• Meeting a management requirement
• 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 HSP supplied into Ontario each year and provide them to RPRA upon request.

Producers are advised to confirm their exemption with the Compliance Team at 1-833-600-0530 or registry@rpra.ca.

There have been some key changes to the producer hierarchies under the Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste (MHSW) program to those under the HSP Regulation. This may affect what a producer is obligated for and should be considered if using previously reported data.

Hierarchy change for producers in all categories (excluding those provided in new vehicles, for which a separate hierarchy applies):

• Brand holders that are resident in Canada are obligated (previously was resident in Ontario)

Hierarchy change for producers of antifreeze and oil filters supplied in new vehicles:

• Vehicle brand holders that are resident in Canada, importers and marketers are obligated

Hierarchy change for producers of oil filters, oil containers, antifreeze, pesticides, non-refillable pressurized containers, refillable pressurized containers, solvents, paints or coatings:

• Producer hierarchy’s introduction of marketers with or without residency in Ontario

See our FAQ to understand “Am I an HSP Producer?”

A disposal facility means a facility at which pesticides are disposed of.

No, products or packaging designated as Hazardous and Special Products (HSP) are not obligated under the Blue Box Regulation. For example, primary packaging for paints and coatings are HSP and therefore not obligated as Blue Box materials.

Some packaging for HSP products may still be obligated. For example, the packaging that contains an oil filter is obligated as Blue Box materials.

Consult the HSP Regulation or the Compliance and Registry Team for further information.

Paints, pesticides, solvents fertilizers obligated under the HSP Regulation along with their primary packaging must be accepted at collection sites collecting the corresponding material. For instance, empty paint cans and pesticide aerosols obligated under the HSP Regulation must be accepted at collection sites collecting paint and pesticides.

See our FAQ to understand “Under the HSP Regulation, is the packaging of antifreeze, pesticides, solvents, paints and coatings obligated?” and “Are containers that are obligated under the HSP Regulation obligated as Blue Box materials?“

When to register as a producer 

Producers of oil filters and non-refillable pressurized containers, oil containers, antifreeze, pesticides, refillable pressurized containers, solvents, paints and coatings  

If the producer’s average weight of supply in 2018, 2019, 2020 was above the threshold in the table below, the producer was required to register with RPRA by November 30, 2021. Obligated producers who have not yet registered are out of compliance with the regulation and may face compliance action by RPRA. 

If a producer was not required to register in 2021, they must register on or before July 31 of the first calendar year that they exceed the threshold in the table below. 

For assistance in calculating your average weight of supply, contact RPRA’s Compliance Team at registry@rpra.ca.  

Producers of mercury-containing barometers, thermometers and thermostats, fertilizers and refillable propane containers

If a producer met the definition of an HSP producer in 2021, they were required to register with RPRA by November 31, 2021.

If you meet the definition of an HSP producer after November 31, 2021, you must register with RPRA within 30 days. 

How to register as a producer

1. Go to RPRA’s Registry at https://registry.rpra.ca/s/login/?language=en_US 
   • Note: The Registry will not work with the Internet Explorer web browser. Google Chrome is the recommended web browser to use.
2. Click “Don’t have an Account? Create a new Account”.
3. Follow the prompts to fill out your account details. 
   • Information needed at time of registration: 
     • CRA business number, business name, address, contact information, and 
     • Name, contact information of the person who will be responsible for completing registration.
4. You’ll receive an email with a link to create your password.
5. Select the program you want to enroll in.
6. Submit a supply report with the total weight of each type of HSP that was supplied to consumers in Ontario in the previous years. 

For more information and step by step instructions on how to submit a supply report, view our supply reporting guides here. 

For the 2024 performance report, all HSP processors are not required to report on their RER.

Amendments to the Hazardous and Special Products (HSP) Regulation have changed the RER requirements for the 2025 calendar year and going forward, depending on the material category:

• Category A (oil filters and non-refillable pressurized containers):

Effective in 2025, and going forward, processors of Category A materials are no longer required to calculate or report on their RER. Producers (or PROs on their behalf) are no longer required to work with processors that meet specified RERs.

• Category B (antifreeze, oil containers, paints and coatings and solvents, but not pesticides) and Category C (barometers, thermometers and thermostats):

In 2027, producers (or PROs on their behalf) must use a processor who met, at a minimum, the average RER specified in the table below in the calendar year two years prior for the type of HSP.

• Category D (fertilizers), Category E (refillable propane containers and refillable pressurized containers), and pesticides (Category B):

These materials do not have any RER requirements.

Producers can reference the chart below to determine if they are a small, large or exempt HSP producer.

Producer categories use the average weight of material (in tonnes) supplied in Ontario in the previous calendar year.

Note that ‘⟷’ indicates a value greater than ‘Exempt’ but less than ‘Large Producer’ threshold.

Average supply weight is determined using the following formula:

Average weight of HSP supply = (Y1 + Y2 + Y3) / 3 

E.g. 2025 average weight of supply = (2024 + 2023 + 2022) / 3

As of October 1, 2021, producers are required to establish and operate a collection system that meets the accessibility requirements in the regulation. Producers must ensure that all HSP collected is managed regardless of what their minimum management requirements are.

Producers have the choice of establishing and operating their own collection and management systems or working with one or more producer responsibility organizations (PROs) registered with RPRA to meet their obligations.

Large producers have an additional requirement to provide call-in collection services. Learn more.

Please contact the Compliance Team at 1-833-600-0530 or registry@rpra.ca to discuss other requirements under the HSP Regulation.

See our FAQ to understand “Am I a small, large or exempt HSP producer?“. For more guidance, read the Hazardous and Special Products Collection Systems Compliance Bulletin.

Producers of every type of HSP are required to keep records for a period of five years from the date of the record being created.

Producers must keep records that relate to the following:

• arranging for the establishment or operation of a collection or management system
• establishing or operating a collection or management system
• information required to be submitted to the Authority through the Registry
• implementing a promotion and education program
• weight of each type of HSP within each applicable category of HSP supplied to consumers in Ontario, regardless of whether information about the weight was required to be submitted to the Authority
• any agreements that relate to the above records

Beginning in 2024, 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 Hazardous and Special Products Registry Procedure – Verification and Audit Procedure for more information.

For the purposes of HSP supply reporting verification:

“Large HSP producer” means an HSP producer whose average supply in the previous calendar year meets the large producer threshold outlined in the chart below:

If First Nation communities, municipalities or other collection site operators want to collect used HSP as a service to customers or residents, they need to ensure their sites are included in a producer’s collection network.

Most producers will be working with service providers, such as PROs, processors or haulers to operate their collection networks. To join a collection network, First Nation communities, municipalities, and collection site operators should contact a service provider registered with RPRA. View the list of registered service providers here.

Municipalities and First Nations communities can also hold collection events. Collection events are typically one to two day events where members of the public or community can drop off materials such as HSP. These communities should contact a service provider if they are interested in providing these services to their residents.

All municipalities, territorial districts and First Nation communities can contact producers or PROs to arrange a pickup once they collect a specific amount of HSP material. The minimum amount required for pickup differs by category. For further information about this option, please see our Recycling in First Nation Communities page.

Producers of HSP need to provide the following information when registering with RPRA:

• Business information (e.g. business name, contact information)
• The year you began marketing or selling HSP into Ontario
• Any PROs you are contracted with
• Your annual HSP Supply Report if you are a producer of
  • oil filters,
  • non-refillable pressurized containers,
  • oil containers,
  • antifreeze,
  • pesticides,
  • solvents, and
  • paints and coatings

• Confirmation if gross annual revenue generated from all products and services in Ontario was above or below $2 million in the previous calendar year and list of supplied brands if you are a producer of:
  • mercury-containing barometers,
  • thermometers and thermostats,
  • fertilizers, and
  • refillable propane containers

No. RPRA is a Regulator that enforces the HSP Regulation and does not provide or play a role in the reimbursement or compensation of the obligated products. Contact your PRO for further details.

As an obligated HSP producer, you are required to:

• register and report annual supply and performance data of obligated materials
• meet mandatory and enforceable requirements for collection and management
• meet mandatory and enforceable requirements for promotion and education
• meet mandatory and enforceable requirements for auditing, verification, and record keeping

These requirements vary based on material type and amount of material the producer supplies.

The HSP Regulation has 13 materials obligated under it. Materials that share the same obligations have been grouped into categories.

Category A:

• Oil Filters: a fluid filter, other than a gasoline filter, and includes,
  a) a spin-on style filter or element-style fluid filter that is sold separately or as part of a product, that is used in hydraulic, transmission or internal combustion engine applications,
  (b) a filter used for oil, diesel fuel, storage tank fuel, coolant, household furnace fuel, and
  (c) a sump type automatic transmission filter
• Non-refillable pressurized containers: pressurized containers that are used for the supply of a gas product, including propane, but cannot be refilled

Category B:

• Antifreeze: a product that contains ethylene or propylene glycol used or intended for use as a vehicle engine coolant
• Oil containers: containers that have a capacity of 30 litres or less and that are used for the supply of new lubricating oil
• Solvents: products that are liquid intended to be used to dissolve or thin a compatible substance, aresupplied in a container that has a capacity of 30 litres or 30 kg or less, and that meet one or both of the following criteria:
  • It is comprised of 10% or more of water-immiscible liquid hydrocarbons, including halogen-substituted liquid hydrocarbons
  • It is flammable and is as described in Clause 4.2 and as defined in Clause 7.2 of CSA Standard Z752-03, “Definition of Household Hazardous Waste”
• Paints and coatings: latex, oil or solvent-based architectural coatings and includes paints and stains whether tinted or untinted, non-pesticide marine paints, paints for automotive craft and industrial applications
• Pesticides: pesticides, fungicides, herbicides or insecticides that are registered under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada)

Category C:

• Barometers: barometers, intended for residential use, that contain mercury and may contain electronic components
• Thermometers: thermometers that are intended for residential use to measure body or air temperature, that contain mercury and may contain electronic components
• Thermostats: thermostats that contain mercury, and may contain electronic components

Category D:

• Fertilizers: substance or mixture of substances containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium or other plant food, manufactured, sold or represented for use as a plant nutrient and regulated under the Fertilizers Act (Canada)

Category E:

• Refillable propane containers: propane containers that can be refilled, have a water capacity of 109 litres or less and are used only for propane
• Refillable pressurized containers: pressurized containers that are used for the supply of a gas product and can be refilled

For more guidance, read the “What HSP Needs to be Reported?” Compliance Bulletin.

Under the HSP Regulation, producers are required to make reasonable efforts to establish and operate at least as many collection sites for each type of HSP in each local municipality, territorial district or reserve as the number of sites that were operated on September 30, 2021.

Producers are also required to make reasonable efforts to hold at least as many collection events for that type of HSP in each local municipality, territorial district or reserve as the number of events that were held in the 2020 calendar year.

While foam insulating containers were included under the MHSW Program, the HSP Regulation defines a non-refillable pressurized container as a pressurized container that is used for the supply of a gas product.

Foam insulation containers are used to supply an insulating foam, which is not a ‘gas product,’ and therefore they do not meet the definition of a non-refillable pressurized container under the HSP Regulation.

Amendments to the Hazardous and Special Products (HSP) Regulation have changed the RER reporting requirements, depending on the material category:

• Category A (oil filters and non-refillable pressurized containers):

Effective for the 2025 calendar year, and every year thereafter, producers (or PROs on their behalf) are no longer required to use processors that meet specified RERs.

• Category B: (antifreeze, oil containers, paints and coatings and solvents, but not pesticides) and Category C (barometers, thermometers and thermostats):

In 2027, producers (or PROs on their behalf) must use a processor who met, at a minimum, the average RER specified in the table below in the calendar year two years prior:

• Category D (fertilizers), Category E (refillable propane containers and refillable pressurized containers), and pesticides:

These materials do not have any RER requirements.

No. As of October 1, 2021, it is up to the municipality to decide if they will participate in the HSP Regulation. Those that decide to participate will need to work with a PRO or a producer.

As of October 1, 2021, producers of mercury-containing barometers, thermometers and thermostats must provide a call-in service number for communities to call to request a pickup if requested by the following representatives:

• a council of the band
• a municipality not located in the Far North
• a territorial district that is not located in the Far North
• a depot owned or operated by the Crown not in the Far North

Producers shall make reasonable efforts to collect the HSP within one year of being notified by a representative of a council of the band located on a reserve in the Far North.

As of October 1, 2021, producers, or PROs acting on their behalf, are required to establish and operate a management system and must:

• process all oil filters and non-refillable pressurized containers picked up from a collection site within three months from the date of the pickup
• ensure that materials are processed by an HSP processor registered with RPRA

Beginning January 1, 2022, producers are required to recover an amount of material based on their average supply into Ontario and report on it annually starting in 2023.

There have been some key changes to the material definitions from the Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste (MHSW) program to the material definitions under the HSP Regulation which may affect what a producer is obligated for. The following should be considered if producers opt to use previously reported data:

• Antifreeze now includes factory fill
• Solvents that are captured by the definition are obligated regardless of how they are marketed
• Paints and coatings now include:
  • All non-pesticide marine paint products, regardless of whether it was contained in an aerosol container or not
  • Aerosol automotive paints
  • Aerosol craft paints
  • Aerosol industrial paints
  • Paints and coatings meeting the definition of this material and being supplied to IC&I are now obligated
• Refillable Pressurized Containers supplied to IC&I are now obligated

The following materials include the product’s primary packaging:

• Antifreeze
• Paints and coatings
• Pesticides
• Solvents

Note: This does not include primary packaging made of corrugated and boxboard boxes, plastic film, shrink wrap or printed materials.

Oil containers, solvents, paints and coatings, fertilizers and pesticides continue to only be obligated when supplied in a container that has a capacity is less than 30 litres or 30 kilograms.

All antifreeze supplied – regardless of container size – must be reported. However, the antifreeze container is only obligated when supplied in a container that has a capacity that is less than 30 litres or 30 kilograms.

See our FAQ to understand “Are containers that are obligated under the Hazardous and Special Products (HSP) Regulation obligated as Blue Box materials?”

As of October 1, 2021, producers of refillable propane containers must establish and operate a call-in collection number for the following representatives to request a pickup:

• a council of the band
• a municipality that is not located in the Far North
• a reserve in the Far North
• a territorial district that is not located in the Far North
• a depot where refillable propane containers are collected, that is owned or operated by the Crown in right of Ontario and that is not located in the Far North

Producers of fertilizers have no collection requirements.

Producers of fertilizers have no management requirements.

Producers of refillable propane containers have no management requirements.

Beginning October 1, 2021, producers are obligated to:

• establish and operate a promotion and education program starting in 2022
• provide information on their website about how consumers can use, share and properly dispose of fertilizer with local requirements
• create promotional and education materials that include:
  • The website URL
  • A description of how consumers can use, share and properly dispose of fertilizer
• solicit, consider feedback from, and make the promotional and education materials available to:
  • Indigenous communities
  • Municipal governments
  • Retailers that supply fertilizers
• provide information to municipalities on innovative end-use options for fertilizers as an alternative to disposal

There are no promotion or education requirements for producers of refillable pressurized containers.

There are no promotion or education requirements for producers of refillable propane containers.

Yes. You are required to submit 2018, 2019 and 2020 supply data when registering with the Authority if you are a producer of oil filters, oil filters, oil containers, antifreeze, pesticides, solvents, paints and coatings, refillable or non-refillable pressurized containers and:

• supplied materials between January 1, 2018, and October 31, 2021, and
• your average weight of supply is above the threshold stated in the below table

Otherwise, a producer must register on or before July 31 of the first calendar year in which the producer exceeds the above threshold. To calculate your average weight of supply, reference the Registration Form.

Under the Batteries, EEE, HSP, and Tire Regulations, a consumer is any end user of a product. A consumer includes an individual who obtains the product for the individual’s own use and a business that obtains the product for the business’s own use.

See our FAQ to understand “Who is a consumer under the Blue Box Regulation?”

All remote and fly-in First Nation communities can access the Hazardous Special Products (HSP, formerly known as Household Hazardous Waste) producer-run program.

All other producer-run recycling programs are only accessible to communities south of the Far North Boundary.

For more information about recycling programs in First Nation Communities, visit our Recycling in First Nation Communities webpage.

Also see our FAQ: ‘What is the Far North Boundary?’