Frequently Asked Questions

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• Program: Batteries

  Topic: Producer , Registration

  Toggle the submenu If I am already registered with the Authority under a different Regulation, do I have to register again to comply with the Batteries Regulation?

  Yes. You are still required to register with the Authority Registry even if you already have an existing account.

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• Program: Batteries

  Topic: Producer , Registration , Reporting

  Toggle the submenu As a producer, am I required to provide an audit report with my battery supply data?

  There is no audit verification requirement for the first two supply data reports submitted to the Authority. Therefore, data submitted for single-use batteries supplied in 2018, 2019, and 2020, as well as rechargeable batteries supplied in 2018 and 2019 will not have to be verified in accordance with the Registry Procedure – Verification and Audit.

  As shown in the table below, under section 15 of the Battery Regulation, the first supply data report for which there are audit and verification requirements will be submitted in 2022. This supply data report is for single-use batteries supplied in 2021 and rechargeable batteries supplied in 2020.

   

  

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• Program: Batteries

  Topic: Producer , Registration

  Toggle the submenu How can I determine if my product is obligated as a battery under the Batteries Regulation?

  The Batteries Regulation applies to the following types of batteries sold separately in Ontario (e.g., not embedded in products):

  • Single-use (primary) batteries weighing 5 kg or less and sold separately from products; and
  • Rechargeable batteries weighing 5 kg or less and sold separately from products.

  Examples of single-use and rechargeable batteries that fall under the Batteries Regulation are button cells, AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, lantern batteries, sealed lead-acid batteries, and replacement batteries for products (for example, drill, cell phone, laptop) that weigh under 5 kg or less.

  The regulation does not apply to the following:

  • Batteries sold with or in products (for example, batteries sold with or in drills, cell phones, laptops, toys, vapes, fire alarms); or
  • Batteries over 5 kg (for example, car batteries, forklift batteries, stationary batteries).

  For more information, see the Compliance Bulletin: What batteries have to be reported?

  If you have questions about what items are and are not covered under the Batteries Regulation, contact the Compliance and Registry Team at registry@rpra.ca or (647) 496-0530 or toll-free at (833) 600-0530.

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• Program: Batteries

  Topic: Producer , Registration

  Toggle the submenu Am I a battery producer?

  You are considered a battery producer under the Batteries Regulation if you market batteries into Ontario and meet the following requirements:

  • Are the brand holder of the battery and have residency in Canada;
  • If there is no resident brand holder, have residency in Ontario and import batteries from outside of Ontario;
  • If there is no resident importer, have residency in Ontario and markets directly to consumers in Ontario (e.g., online sales); or
  • If there is no resident marketer, does not have residency in Ontario and markets directly to consumers in Ontario (e.g., online sales).

  Even if you do not meet the above definition, there may be circumstances where you qualify as a producer. Read the Batteries Regulation for more detail or contact the Compliance and Registry Team for guidance at registry@rpra.ca or (647) 496-0530 or toll-free at (833) 600-0530.

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• Program: Batteries , ITT/AV , Tires

  Topic: General

  Toggle the submenu What is a volunteer organization?

  A volunteer organization is a person who:

  • Is a brand holder who owns a brand that is used in respect of batteries or EEE;
  • Is not a resident in Canada;
  • Has registered with the Authority; and
  • Has entered into a written agreement with a producer for the purpose of carrying out one or more producer responsibilities.

  A volunteer organization is not a producer but can take on the registration and reporting responsibilities for producers in relation to its brand. Under the Regulation, producers remain responsible for meeting their management requirements and cannot pass off their obligations through voluntary remitter agreements or any other commercial agreement.

  Any brand holder or producer who is interested in making any agreement as indicated (or described) above, should contact the Compliance Team at registry@rpra.ca, 647-496-0530 or toll-free at 1-833-600-0530.

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

  Topic: About the Authority

  Toggle the submenu How will the Authority ensure my information is secure?

  In accordance with the legislation (Resource Recovery Circular Economy Act 2016, section 57), the Authority is required to comply with strict confidentiality requirements. The Authority has also developed an Access and Privacy Code that applies to its day-to-day operations.

  The Registry has been developed according to cybersecurity best practice principles. This includes VPN-based restrictions, staff training on all cybersecurity policies, staff access to the Registry on a strict role-requirement basis, and registry interface security features (example: two-factor authentication).

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

  Topic: About the Authority

  Toggle the submenu What will the Authority do with my information and will it be public? What data is released to the public and how will it be used internally?

  The Authority recognizes the commercially sensitive nature of the information that parties submit to the registry. The Authority is committed to protecting the commercially sensitive information and personal information it receives or creates in the course of conducting its regulatory functions. In recognition of this commitment, the Authority, in addition to the regulatory requirements of confidentiality set out in the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act 2016 (section 57), has created an Access and Privacy Code that applies to its day-to-day operations, including the regulatory functions that it carries out.

  Obligated material supply, collection, and resource recovery data will only be made public in aggregate form, to protect the confidentiality of commercially sensitive information.

  The Authority will publish the names and contact information of all registered businesses – producers, service providers (collectors, haulers, processors, etc.), and producer responsibility organizations. The public will also have access to a list or method to locate any obligated material collection sites, as this information becomes available.

  As part of its regulatory mandate, the Registrar will provide information to the public related to compliance and enforcement activities that have been undertaken.

  The information that is submitted to the Registry will be used by the Registrar to confirm compliance and to track overall collection and management system performance. It will also be used by the Authority to update its policies and procedures and by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks for policy development.

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

  Topic: About the Authority

  Toggle the submenu What is the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority?

  The Authority is the regulator designated by law to oversee the operation and wind up of current waste diversion programs under the Waste Diversion Transition Act, 2016. The Authority provides oversight, compliance, and enforcement activities with respect to regulations made under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016.

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

  Topic: About the Authority

  Toggle the submenu What is Individual Producer Responsibility?

  Individual Producer Responsibility (IPR) means that producers are responsible and accountable for collecting and managing their products and packaging after consumers have finished using them.

  Under the regulation, producers are directly responsible and accountable for meeting mandatory collection and recycling requirements for end of life products. With IPR, producers have choice in how they meet their requirements. They can collect and recycle the products themselves, or contract with producer responsibility organizations (PROs) to help them meet their requirements.

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

  Topic: Collector , Hauler , Processor , Producer , Reporting , Retreader

  Toggle the submenu Why is there an executive attestation requirement?

  Brand holders and producers that supply products and packaging are required by legislation to meet individual mandatory collection and resource recovery requirements and may face compliance and enforcement consequences for failing to do so. The executive attestation ensures that executives responsible for managing the brand holder’s or producer’s business are aware of these requirements and can ensure that appropriate measures are put in place to achieve compliance with the regulations.

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