Regulation - LGIC
Proposed amendments to the producer responsibility regulations for tires, batteries and electrical and electronic equipment made under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016
Regulation Number(s):
N/A
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016
Summary of Decision:
Ontario is reducing red tape for the tire, battery and electrical and electronic equipment industries while ensuring that the environment and consumers are protected.
There are currently five producer responsibility regulations under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 (RRCEA), including:
• 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)
• the Hazardous and Special Products (HSP) Regulation (O. Reg. 449/21)
• the Blue Box Regulation (O. Reg. 391/21)
We have amended the producer responsibility regulations for:
• tires
• batteries
• electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)
Many of the changes that reduce burden (e.g. removing or reducing the audit requirements related to supply data reporting, management outcomes and visible fees for tire producers) will come into effect upon filing.
Other changes are proposed to come into effect on January 1, 2023 (e.g. reduced requirements for small producers under the Tires and Batteries Regulations).
In addition to reducing burden for producers of tires, batteries and EEE, some of the amendments will also reduce burden for the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority, which is responsible for overseeing Ontario's producer responsibility framework.
These changes will help divert more waste from landfills and increase consumer accessibility across the province, including small municipalities, territorial districts and First Nation communities.
There are currently five producer responsibility regulations under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 (RRCEA), including:
• 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)
• the Hazardous and Special Products (HSP) Regulation (O. Reg. 449/21)
• the Blue Box Regulation (O. Reg. 391/21)
We have amended the producer responsibility regulations for:
• tires
• batteries
• electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)
Many of the changes that reduce burden (e.g. removing or reducing the audit requirements related to supply data reporting, management outcomes and visible fees for tire producers) will come into effect upon filing.
Other changes are proposed to come into effect on January 1, 2023 (e.g. reduced requirements for small producers under the Tires and Batteries Regulations).
In addition to reducing burden for producers of tires, batteries and EEE, some of the amendments will also reduce burden for the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority, which is responsible for overseeing Ontario's producer responsibility framework.
These changes will help divert more waste from landfills and increase consumer accessibility across the province, including small municipalities, territorial districts and First Nation communities.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
The regulatory amendments are expected to result in an overall cost reduction to business. The changes to the Tires Regulation could reduce direct costs to business by as much as $502,026 annually; for the Batteries Regulation there is an expected cost reduction of $2,264 per year; and changes to the EEE Regulation are not expected to have any direct cost impacts to business.
There are no direct compliance cost implications to other parties as a result of the proposed amendments, including RPRA, consumers, the government and municipalities.
The proposed changes will result in burden count reductions for all three regulations, with a reduction of one burden count for the Tires Regulation, a reduction of four burden counts for the Batteries Regulation and a reduction of one burden count for the EEE Regulation.
In addition to reducing burden, the regulatory amendments are expected to improve oversight efficiency, increase transparency, align administrative and technical provisions between the regulations and remove outdated provisions.
There are no direct compliance cost implications to other parties as a result of the proposed amendments, including RPRA, consumers, the government and municipalities.
The proposed changes will result in burden count reductions for all three regulations, with a reduction of one burden count for the Tires Regulation, a reduction of four burden counts for the Batteries Regulation and a reduction of one burden count for the EEE Regulation.
In addition to reducing burden, the regulatory amendments are expected to improve oversight efficiency, increase transparency, align administrative and technical provisions between the regulations and remove outdated provisions.
Further Information:
Link to Environmental Registry
Proposal Number:
21-MECP041
Posting Date:
November 29, 2021
Summary of Proposal:
Ontario is proposing changes to reduce unnecessary administrative requirements for the tire, battery and electrical and electronic equipment industries while ensuring that the environment and consumers are protected. This is a part of our ongoing commitment to ensure Ontario's producer responsibility framework is achieving its intended results without creating unnecessary burdens for businesses in those sectors.
Contact Address:
Effective Date:
December 9, 2022
Decision:
Approved