Questions about the HSP program?
We have answers! Read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here.
A person is considered a producer under the Hazardous and Special Products (HSP) Regulation if they supply oil filters, oil containers, antifreeze, solvents, paints and coatings, pesticides, pressurized containers (non-refillable and refillable) or refillable propane containers into Ontario and one of the following applies:
- Are the brand holder and have residency in Canada
- Have residency in Ontario and import from outside of Ontario
- Have residency in Ontario and markets directly to consumers in Ontario (e.g. online sales)
- Does not have residency in Ontario and markets directly to consumers in Ontario (e.g. online sales)
A person is considered a producer under the HSP Regulation if they supply oil filters and antifreeze in new vehicles sold in Ontario and one of the following applies:
- Are the vehicle manufacturer and have residency in Canada
- Have residency in Ontario and import new vehicles for sale in Ontario
- Have residency in Ontario and supply directly to consumers in Ontario
- Does not have residency in Ontario and supply directly to consumers in Ontario
A person is considered a producer under the HSP Regulation if they supply mercury-containing barometers, thermometers or thermostats into Ontario and one of the following applies:
- Are the brand holder and have residency in Canada
- If there is no resident brand holder, the brand holder of barometers, thermometers or thermostats supplied to consumers in Ontario that do not contain mercury
A person is considered a producer under the HSP Regulation if they supply fertilizers into Ontario, and
- They are the brand holder, and have residency in Canada
Even if you do not meet the above definitions, there may be circumstances where you qualify as a producer.
Note: There are exemptions under the HSP Regulation for category A and B. If an HSP producer meets the exemption threshold for a material type, they are not required to register or report to RPRA. The exemption thresholds change each year, and a producer must confirm each year whether they are below the threshold. Learn more about determining if you are an exempt HSP producer.
What are my obligations under the HSP Regulation?
*Refillable pressurized containers are now under category E.
**Effective in 2025, and going forward, processors of Category A materials are no longer required to calculate or report on their recycling efficiency rate (RER). Producers (or PROs on their behalf) are no longer required to work with processors that meet specified RERs. In 2027, producers of Category B materials (but not pesticides) and Category C materials must use a processor who met, at a minimum, an average RER specified in the HSP regulation, in the calendar year two years prior for the type of HSP.
Click the headings below to learn more about your obligations as a producer for each material. Materials that have the same requirements are grouped together, with differences identified below.
Working with PROs
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.
A PRO is a business established to contract with producers to provide collection and management and administrative services to help producers meet their regulatory obligations under the HSP Regulation, including:
- Arranging the establishment or operation of HSP collection and management systems (hauling, recycling, reuse, or refurbishment services).
- Establishing or operating a collection or management system
- Implementing a promotion and education program
- Preparing and submitting reports
PROs operate in a competitive market and producers can choose the PRO (or PROs) they want to work with. The terms and conditions of each contract with a PRO may vary. View the list of registered PROs here.
Upcoming Important Dates
Obligated material(s) | Requirement | Deadline |
---|---|---|
Producers of oil filters, non-refillable pressurized containers, oil containers, antifreeze, pesticides, solvents, paints and coatings | Register with RPRA, unless exempt | On or before July 31 of the first calendar year in which the producer exceeds the threshold outlined here. |
Producers of mercury-containing barometers, thermometers and thermostats, fertilizers, refillable propane containers, and refillable pressurized containers | Register with RPRA | Within 30 days of meeting the definition of a producer. Learn more here. |
Supply reporting (producers to report) | ||
All producers | Submit annual Supply Report, which reports on the list of brands supplied into Ontario in 2024. | July 31, 2025 |
Small* producers of oil filters, non-refillable pressurized containers, oil containers, antifreeze, pesticides, solvents and paints and coatings | Submit annual Supply Report, which reports on the total weight of HSP materials supplied into Ontario in 2024. | July, 31, 2025 |
Large* producers of oil filters, non-refillable pressurized containers, oil containers, antifreeze, pesticides, solvents and paints and coatings | Submit annual Supply Report, which reports on the weight of HSP materials supplied into Ontario in 2024. Submit a Supply Data Verification Report completed by a verifier/qualified person. | July 31, 2025 |
Producers of mercury-containing barometers, thermometers and thermostats, fertilizers, and refillable propane containers | Submit annual Supply Report, to confirm if revenue in Ontario was above or below $2 million in 2024. | July 31, 2025 |
Producers of refillable pressurized containers | Contact RPRA to get guidance on how to submit your supply report. | July 31, 2025 |
Performance reporting (producers or a PRO on their behalf) | ||
All producers, or a PRO on their behalf (except fertilizers**, and refillable propane containers) | Submit annual Performance Report, which reports the total weight of HSP that was collected, and the weight of materials recovered from processing in 2024. RPRA will require a Performance Audit Report in 2025, however the report will not be submitted in the Registry with the Performance Report. RPRA will communicate directly with producers and PROs when the Resource Recovery Performance Audit Procedure is finalized. Learn more. **Fertilizer producers or a PRO on their behalf are required to submit a performance report only with promotion and education. | July 31, 2025 |
All (except refillable propane containers and refillable pressurized containers) | Submit promotion and education report based on activities in 2024. | July 31, 2025 |
Unless otherwise stated, all information must be submitted through RPRA’s Registry. *For the purposes of supply reporting verification, view this FAQ to determine if you are a small or large HSP producer. |
Wind up of the MHSW Program
The Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste (MHSW) Program was operated by Stewardship Ontario, who was responsible for hazardous waste recycling in Ontario, and Industry Stewardship Organizations, Automotive Materials Stewardship, Product Care Association and SodaStream, reported under the program. The program ended on September 30, 2021, and on October 1, 2021, HSP moved to the individual producer responsibility framework. Learn more.
We are here to help you understand your requirements
To learn more about the HSP Regulation or to view past webinars and presentations, visit our Learning Series webpage on Understanding Ontario’s New Hazardous and Special Products Regulation.
If you have questions relating to the HSP Regulation, contact our Compliance Team at registry@rpra.ca or 1-833-600-0530 for support.