Frequently Asked Questions

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  • When paying fees to RPRA,  you can select from one of the following payment methods:

    • Bank withdrawal (pre-authorized debit)
    • Credit card
    • Electronic data interchange (EDI; also commonly known as ACH or EFT)
    • Electronic bill payment
    • Cheque

    For instructions on how to submit payment by the method you chose, read one of the following FAQs:

    To note, Registry invoices are considered due on receipt. Invoices are in CAD funds and payments must be sent in CAD.

  • We recommend using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge or Apple Safari when accessing the Registry. If you are experiencing an issue with the Registry, try clearing your cache or updating the browser to the latest version.

    If you are using a different browser, the Registry will not function.

  • Program fees are charges that producers obligated under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016, are required to pay to RPRA annually to recover its operational costs, including costs related to building and operating the registry, providing services to registrants, and compliance and enforcement activities.

    All current and past fee schedules can be found here.

  • To register as a PRO, contact the Compliance and Registry Team at registry@rpra.ca or call 647-496-0530 or toll-free 1-833-600-0530.

  • To create a Registry account with the Authority, you will need to provide:

    • CRA Business Number (BN)
    • Legal Business Name
    • Business address and phone number
    • Address of where you work (if different from the main office)
    • Contact information for your billing contact (this may also be added later)
  • For regulatory purposes, we need to know your legal name — the name you are incorporated under.  We also need to know your business operating name if it is different from your legal business name to add to our published list of registrants. The list of registrants will be available on our website to allow registrants to interact with one another and to provide information to the public.

    For example, if you are a registered collector and your legal name is 123456789 Ontario Ltd. and your business operating name is “Jack’s Garage,” a member of the public looking for a place to drop off used tires will need to know the name you are operating under to identify your location.

  • As the Regulator responsible for enforcing regulations under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016, the Registrar uses their discretion for when it is necessary to give registrants more time to collect the information needed for registration and/or reporting.
  • RPRA does not vet PROs before listing them on the website. Any business that registers as a PRO will be listed. Producers should do their own due diligence when determining which PRO to work with.

  • A person is considered a producer under the HSP Regulation if they supply oil filters, oil containers, antifreeze, solvents, paints and coatings, pesticides, fertilizers, pressurized containers or refillable propane containers and: 

    • are the brand holder and has residency in Canada 
    • import from outside Ontario and has residency in Ontario 
    • markets directly to consumers in Ontario (e.g., online sales) and has residency in Ontario 
    • markets directly to consumers and does not have residency in Ontario 

    A person is considered a producer under the HSP Regulation if they supply mercury-containing barometers, thermometers or thermostats and: 

    • are the brand holder and has residency in Canada 
    • are the Brand holder of barometers, thermometers or thermostats marketed to consumers in Ontario that do not contain mercury 

    A person is considered a producer under the HSP Regulation if they supply fertilizers and: 

    • are the brand holder and has residency in Canada 

    Even if you do not meet the above definitions, there may be circumstances where you qualify as a producer. Contact the Compliance Team at registry@rpra.ca or 833-600-0530 if you have questions. 

    Related FAQs: 

  • If a producer is exempt in accordance with the chart below, the producer is exempt from the following requirements:

    1. Registration with RPRA
    2. Requirements related to setting up or operating a collection system
    3. Management requirements
    4. Promotion and education requirements

    Producer categories use the average weight of material (in tonnes) supplied in Ontario in the three previous calendar years. If you have questions on how to calculate your average weight of supply, contact the Registry Support Team at registry@rpra.ca.

  • 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

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

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

  • Account Admins must add any new, or manage existing, Primary Contacts under the program they wish to give them access to in order for the Primary Contact to be able to submit a report (e.g., permissions to view and complete reports).

    To Manage contacts on your Registry account, please see the following steps:

    1. Log into your account
    2. Once you are logged in, click on the drop-down arrow in the top right corner and select Manage Users
    3. Under Actions, click Manage to update preferences of existing users
    4. Click Add New User to add an additional contact to your account
    5. To give reporting access to a Primary Contact, select the program from the drop-down that you would like to grant them access to
  • 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.

  • 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
    Type of HSPAverage weight of supply in respect of the previous calendar year (tonnes)
    Oil Filters3.5
    Antifreeze20
    Oil Containers2
    Paints and Coatings10
    Pesticides1
    Non-refillable Pressurized Containers3
    Refillable Pressurized Containers8
    Solvents3

    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.

  • No, only producers are required to pay RPRA program fees.  The decision to make producers pay fees and cover the Authority’s costs was made to reflect the fact that the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 (RRCEA) is based on a producer responsibility framework. Although producers may hire service providers to help meet their obligations, the responsibility remains with the producer.

  • RPRA considers an aerosol container to be a non-refillable receptacle that contains a product and a propellant under pressure, and that is fitted with a release device allowing the contents to be ejected as solid or liquid particles in suspension in a gas, or as a foam, paste, powder, liquid, or gas.

  • 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.
  • 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.

  • If you select credit card as your method of payment, this method of payment is done through your Registry account.

    Follow these steps to complete your payment:

    1. When you are in the payment method section in the Registry, select credit card as your preferred method.
    2. Input your credit card details.
    3. Click submit and payment will process automatically.

    Please note:

    • Registry invoices are considered due on receipt.
    • Invoices are in CAD funds and payments must be sent in CAD.
    • Once your transaction has been approved, your payment will be reflected in your Registry account immediately.

    If you have questions relating to fee payment, contact our Compliance and Registry Team at registry@rpra.ca or call 647-496-0530 or toll-free at 1-833-600-0530.

  • If you select bank withdrawal as your method of payment, this authorizes the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority to make a one-time withdrawal for the Registry invoice payment from the account you provided.

    Bank Withdrawal – Important Terms:

    • You have authorized RPRA to make one-time debits from your account. RPRA will obtain your authorization before any additional one-time or sporadic withdrawal is debited from your account. You have agreed that this confirmation may be provided at least three (3) calendar days before the first payment is withdrawn from your account. You have waived any and all requirements for pre-notification of the account being debited.
    • Your payments are being made on behalf of a business.
    • Your agreement may be cancelled provided notice is received thirty (30) days before the next withdrawal. If any of the above details are incorrect, please contact us immediately at the contact information below. If the details are correct, you do not need to do anything further and your Pre-Authorized Debits (PAD) will be processed. You have certain recourse rights if any debit does not comply with these terms. For example, you have the right to receive a reimbursement for any PAD that is not authorized or is not consistent with this PAD Agreement. To obtain more information on your recourse rights, contact your financial institution or visit www.payments.ca.

    Please note:

    • Registry invoices are considered due on receipt.
    • Invoices are in CAD funds and payments must be sent in CAD.
    • It may take 1-2 weeks for the involved banks to process your payment.

    If you have questions relating to fee payment, contact our Compliance and Registry Team at registry@rpra.ca or call 647-496-0530 or toll-free at 1-833-600-0530.

  • If you select electronic bill payment as your method of payment, this method of payment is done through your online banking account, using the bill payment functionality. It is available at major Canadian banks (e.g., TD, RBC, BMO, Scotiabank, etc.).

    Follow these steps to complete your payment:

    1. Log in to your bank account.
    2. Go to the bill payment section and choose to add a payee.
    3. Search for and select “RPRA” as the payee.
    4. Once “RPRA” is selected, enter your registration number as the account number to make your payment. Your registration number can be found on your invoice.

    Please note:

    • Registry invoices are considered due on receipt.
    • Invoices are in CAD funds and payments must be sent in CAD.
    • It may take 1-2 weeks for your payment to be reflected in your Registry account once you have completed it.

    If you have questions relating to fee payment, contact our Compliance and Registry Team at registry@rpra.ca or call 647-496-0530 or toll-free at 1-833-600-0530.

  • If you select cheque as your method of payment, follow these steps to complete your payment:

    1. Make your cheque payable to “Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority”
    2. Enter your Invoice Number on the memo line of the cheque
    3. Please send your cheque to*:
      • Resource Productivity Recovery Authority
      • PO Box 46114, STN A
      • Toronto, ON
      • M5W 4K9

    *As of January 20, 2023, the address for mailing cheques to RPRA has been revised. Please update your records and send cheques to the above address going forward.

    Please note:

    • Registry invoices are considered due on receipt.
    • Invoices are in CAD funds and payments must be sent in CAD.
    • It may take 2-4 weeks for your payment to be reflected in your Registry account once you have mailed your cheque due to mail and cheque processing times.

    If you have questions relating to fee payment, contact our Compliance and Registry Team at registry@rpra.ca or call 647-496-0530 or toll-free at 1-833-600-0530.

  • If you select electronic data interchange (EDI) as your method of payment, this is an electronic payment through your bank, also commonly known as EFT or ACH.

    Follow these steps to complete your payment:

    1. Submit your payment using RPRA’s banking information provided on your invoice.
    2. Be sure to reference your Invoice Number when you submit this payment to your bank so that we will be able to identify your payment.

    Please note:

    • Registry invoices are considered due on receipt.
    • Invoices are in CAD funds and payments must be sent in CAD.
    • It may take 1-2 weeks for your payment to be reflected in your Registry account once you have completed it.

    If you have questions relating to fee payment, contact our Compliance and Registry Team at registry@rpra.ca or call 647-496-0530 or toll-free at 1-833-600-0530.

  • No. Effective February 6, 2023, RPRA will no longer accept requests for extensions to registration or reporting deadlines. Obligated parties should make every effort to ensure they meet all submission deadlines as part of their obligations under their associated regulation.

    For more guidance, read the Late Registration or Report Submissions Compliance Bulletin.

  • Producers are obligated parties under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act and are ultimately responsible for their data submitted through RPRA’s Registry. Producers can choose to contract with an external consultant to support their data submission, but third parties have limited permissions in the Registry as they are not regulated parties.

    A producer can choose to assign a primary or secondary user profile in their Registry account to an external consultant. An external consultant may submit supply data reports and/or pay registry fees on the producer’s behalf.

    External consultants cannot submit and/or sign registration, executive attestations, account admin changes or supply data adjustment documentation on behalf of a producer. External consultants cannot be account admins, nor can they manage a PRO within the Registry on behalf of a producer.

  • 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. 

    Type of HSPAverage weight of supply from the previous three calendar years (tonnes)
    Oil Filters3.5
    Non-refillable pressurized containers3
    Antifreeze20
    Oil Containers2
    Paints and coatings10
    Pesticides1
    Refillable pressurized containers8
    Solvents3

    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. 

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