The federal government has created new reporting requirements under its new Federal Plastics Registry. The registry is being phased in over a few years, however phase 1 requires Canadian brand owners to report on plastic packaging placed on the market by September 29, 2025, for the 2024 calendar year. Generally speaking, farms that are required to participate in Ontario’s modernized blue box program, will also be required to submit packaging data to this registry. Click here to learn more information about the registry. The portal to submit the required data to Environment and Climate Change Canada is here: https://rfp-fpr.ec.gc.ca/en/.

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association has developed a guidance document to support brand owners in navigating the registry and its requirements. The final page of the document outlines the ability to request an extension of the reporting deadline, which could be useful under the tight timelines to report.

The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) remains concerned about the implications of the federal plastics registry, including the increased administrative and cost burdens being created for fruit and vegetable farmers and the value chain. These concerns are being actively raised with the federal government.

“While we hope the federal government will reconsider the creation of this red tape, the sector should prioritize compliance with these requirements to avoid non-compliance consequences, including fines,” says Gordon Stock, senior policy advisor, OFVGA. 

For more detail, link to the CPMA’s “Navigating the Federal Plastics Registry”: https://cpma.ca/docs/default-source/industry/sustainability/en-cpma-guidance-document-re-fpr-reporting-(sept-2025)final.pdf

Source:  Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers’ Association September 11, 2025 member’s note.