Producer responsibilities and EPR plan development
Last updated on December 17, 2024Learn more about the responsibilities of a producer of a regulated product and the resources on how to create an EPR plan.
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Producer responsibilities
If you're a producer of a product regulated under the Recycling Regulation, some of your basic obligations include:
- Having an approved EPR plan and complying with the plan
- Submitting a a report annually on the plan’s performance and targets
Producers often find that creating a new agency or joining an existing agency can be a cost-effective and efficient way to meet their obligations under the regulation.
Definition of an obligated producer and EPR agency
Obligated producer
The obligated producer is typically the product manufacturer, but may also be:
- The distributor
- The brand-owner
- The importer
- The retail seller
EPR agency
An EPR agency is a corporation that a producer may appoint to undertake their regulatory duties, such as:
- Having an EPR plan
- Implementing and operating an EPR program
- Reporting on performance
The producers remain the obligated party regardless of appointing an agency.
Join an existing EPR plan or program
If you’re a producer of a regulated product and you want to join an existing EPR plan or program, contact the relevant organization to find out how to register or become a member.
Visit current EPR plans and reports for a list of current organizations with approved plans.
EPR plan development
An EPR plan demonstrates how you intend to collect and manage your regulated products.
It must include information about:
- Recovery or capture targets for collected product waste
- Collection system
- Performance measures
- Consultation with interested parties
- End-of-life management of the product
If you appoint an agency, the agency develops your EPR plan.
Guidance documents and tools to create an EPR plan
Review these guidance documents and tools to help you develop your plan:
- Paying the Costs under Recycling Regulation Section 5(1)(c)(i) and Dispute Resolution Guidance 2024 (PDF, 210KB)
- Five-Year Plan Review with No Amendments Guidance 2024 (PDF, 178KB)
- Financial Reporting for Extended Producer Responsibility Plans Guidance 2024 (PDF, 190KB)
- Stewardship Plan Submission Checklist 2016 (PDF, 736KB)
- Recycling Regulation Guide 2012 (PDF, 1MB)
Regulatory guidance
Review these documents to help you understand the Recycling Regulation:
- Small Producer Definition Policy Interpretation (PDF, 321KB)
- 2020 Amendments to the Recycling Regulation (PDF, 165KB) June 29, 2020
- Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council (PDF, 622KB) June 29, 2020
Submit an EPR plan or annual report
To submit an EPR plan or annual report email ExtendedProducerResponsibility@gov.bc.ca
EPR plan approval
EPR plans are approved by a statutory decision maker.
For example, a director appointed under the Environmental Management Act (EMA):
- The director reviews the EPR plan to confirm it meets regulatory requirements
- They decide either to approve, amend or rescind the EPR plan
- With all plan reviews, the ministry promotes continuous improvement for performance measures
- Producers are encouraged to improve measures such as collection rates and accessibility
Reporting requirements
Producers are required to report annually by posting on the internet on or before:
- April 30 for producers complying with Part 3 of the Recycling Regulation
- July 1 for producers with approved EPR plans
Reports contain information about an EPR plan or program targets and performance for the previous year.
It may include information about:
- Recovery and capture rates for product waste
- The collection system (for example, newly opened and closed facilities)
- Public educational strategies
- How collected products are recycled
EPR plan review
A producer reviews their approved EPR plans every 5 years from their initial approval date to decide if amendments are needed.
Review the current approved recycling plans and reports.
Reports, research and surveys
Related research and surveys
Consumer awareness surveys:
- 2018 Consumer Awareness Survey of EPR Programs in B.C. (PDF, 911KB)
- 2015 Consumer Awareness Survey of EPR Programs in B.C. (PDF, 866KB)
Economic and environmental impacts:
- 2016 Assessment of Economic and Environmental Impacts of EPR Programs Operating in B.C.(PDF, 1MB)
- 2014 Assessment of Economic and Environmental Impacts of EPR Programs in B.C. (PDF, 2MB)
Miscellaneous
Performance measurement:
Competition in EPR programs:
Prescriptive measures in the Beverage Container Regulation:
Report appendices
- 2012 Overview of Stewardship and EPR Job and Economic Impact Studies 2008 to 2012 (PDF, 696KB)
- 2015 Consumer Awareness Survey of EPR Programs in B.C. (PDF, 911KB)
- 2009 Design for Environment (DfE) Best Practices Lessons for B.C.’s Ministry of Environment (PDF, 390KB)
- 2008 Economic Impacts of the B.C. Recycling Regulation (PDF, 3MB)
Contact information
For more information, email ExtendedProducerResponsibility@gov.bc.ca.