Tracker · Canada
Packaging Regulation in Canada
Every packaging rule in Canada that we have sourced so far: EPR, taxes, bans, recycled-content and reuse targets, labelling and deposit return, with dates, rates and the official text.
In short
As of 13 October 2026
As of 13 October 2026, Strategic Packaging Insights tracks 6 packaging rules in Canada: 6 in force and 0 adopted but not yet applying. Extended producer responsibility for packaging is in force (British Columbia packaging and paper product EPR (Recycle BC)).
Key facts
Packaging rules in Canada at a glance
- Latest change: British Columbia packaging and paper product EPR (Recycle BC) (B.C. Ministry of Environment and Parks, 17 September 2025).
- By type: 3 EPR, 2 Ban and 1 Reporting.
In force now in Canada
EPR (3)
British Columbia packaging and paper product EPR (Recycle BC)
SPI summary Under Schedule 5 of B.C.'s Recycling Regulation, producers of residential packaging and paper products fund a stewardship program run by Recycle BC, operating since 2014. The province approved Recycle BC's current plan on 17 September 2025; plans are reviewed every five years, with the next review due by 15 April 2028.
From the source “I hereby approve the plan submitted on August 19, 2025 and enclosed with this letter.”
Materials: All packaging
B.C. Ministry of Environment and Parks · British Columbia · B.C. Government: Recycle BC plan and approval 2025
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · History (4)
- Changed: SPI summary
- Verified
- Changed: quote
- Added
EPRIn forceEnactedSourcedQuebec modernized selective collection (EPR) system
SPI summary Quebec's regulation respecting a system of selective collection makes producers of containers, packaging, printed matter and newspapers responsible for their recovery through a designated management body, Éco Entreprises Québec. The modernized system took effect on 1 January 2025.
From the source “The modernized selective collection system took effect on January 1, 2025.”
Materials: All packaging
Gouvernement du Québec (MELCCFP) · Quebec · Applies from 1 Jan 2025 · Ministère de l'Environnement du Québec: Modernized Selective Collection
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · History (3)
- Changed: SPI summary, rate note, source, source link, quote
- Verified
- Added
EPRIn forceEnactedSourcedOntario Blue Box Regulation (O. Reg. 391/21) full producer responsibility
SPI summary Producers of packaging and paper products became fully responsible for Ontario's Blue Box program on 1 January 2026 after a 2023-2025 transition. September 2025 amendments set best-efforts obligations for 2026-2027 and allow up to 15% of requirements via energy-from-waste.
From the source “As of January 1, 2026, Ontario's Blue Box Program has completed the transition to full producer responsibility of packaging, paper products and packaging-like products and municipalities are no longer responsible for operating or funding the program.”
Materials: Plastic, Paper and board, Metal, Glass
Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks / RPRA · Ontario · Applies from 1 Jan 2026 · RPRA: Ontario completes transition to producer-run Blue Box program
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · History (4)
- Changed: rate note
- Verified
- Changed: quote
- Added
EPRIn forceEnactedSourced
Ban (2)
B.C. Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation
SPI summary Since 15 July 2024 businesses in B.C. may not sell or distribute single-use food service ware made of polystyrene foam, PVC, PVDC, biodegradable or oxo-degradable plastic, with some exemptions to 2028 and 2030; compostable plastic shopping bags and take-out containers are also banned. Restrictions on food service accessories began on 20 December 2023.
From the source “As of July 15, 2024 businesses can no longer distribute or sell single-use (disposable) food service ware in B.C. made with certain hard-to-recycle plastics”
Materials: Single-use plastic
B.C. Ministry of Environment and Parks · British Columbia · Applies from 15 Jul 2024 · B.C. Government: Food service ware regulation factsheet
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · History (3)
- Changed: SPI summary, rate note
- Verified
- Added
BanIn forceEnactedSourcedSingle-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations (SOR/2022-138)
SPI summary Bans manufacture, import and sale of plastic checkout bags, cutlery, certain foodservice ware, ring carriers, stir sticks and straws. Sale bans apply from 20 December 2023 (20 June 2024 for ring carriers and packaged flexible straws) and export bans from 20 December 2025. The Federal Court of Appeal upheld the toxic listing on 30 January 2026; a Supreme Court leave application is pending.
From the source “The Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations remain in force.”
Materials: Single-use plastic
Government of Canada (ECCC, Health Canada) · Applies from 20 Dec 2022 · Canada.ca: Single-use plastics prohibition regulations overview
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · History (3)
- Changed: SPI summary, rate note
- Verified
- Added
BanIn forceEnactedSourced
Reporting (1)
Federal Plastics Registry reporting (CEPA s.46 notice)
SPI summary Producers of plastic products, including packaging, must report quantities placed on the Canadian market under a CEPA section 46 notice, starting in September 2025 on 2024 data. Phase 2 and 3 reporting has been postponed and a new notice covering 2027-2029 is planned.
From the source “Reporting for Phases 2 and 3 of the Federal Plastics Registry has been postponed.”
Materials: Plastic
Environment and Climate Change Canada · Canada.ca: Federal Plastics Registry
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · Verified by the SPI team on 13 Oct 2026 · History (3)
- Verified
- Changed: rate note
- Added
ReportingIn forceEnactedVerified
Timeline of packaging rules in Canada
| Adopted | Rule | Type | Status | Applies from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Sep 2025 | British Columbia packaging and paper product EPR (Recycle BC) British Columbia | EPR | In force | — |
| 1 Jan 2025 | Quebec modernized selective collection (EPR) system Quebec | EPR | In force | 1 Jan 2025 |
| 15 Jul 2024 | B.C. Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation British Columbia | Ban | In force | 15 Jul 2024 |
| 20 Apr 2024 | Federal Plastics Registry reporting (CEPA s.46 notice) | Reporting | In force | — |
| 22 Jun 2022 | Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations (SOR/2022-138) | Ban | In force | 20 Dec 2022 |
| 3 Jun 2021 | Ontario Blue Box Regulation (O. Reg. 391/21) full producer responsibility Ontario | EPR | In force | 1 Jan 2026 |
How Canada compares
| Jurisdiction | Rules | In force | EPR | Taxes | Bans | Next deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Austria | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Brazil | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| Canada | 6 | 6 | Yes | 0 | 2 | — |
| Chile | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| China | 3 | 3 | — | 0 | 1 | — |
| Colombia | 2 | 2 | Yes | 0 | 1 | — |
| European Union | 18 | 6 | — | 1 | 1 | 12 Aug 2028 |
| France | 3 | 3 | — | 0 | 1 | — |
| Germany | 2 | 2 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| India | 4 | 4 | Yes | 0 | 1 | — |
| Indonesia | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Ireland | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Japan | 2 | 2 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| Kenya | 2 | 2 | Yes | 0 | 1 | — |
| New Zealand | 2 | 1 | — | 0 | 1 | — |
| Philippines | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| Poland | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Portugal | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| South Africa | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| Spain | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 0 | — |
| United Arab Emirates | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 1 | — |
| United Kingdom | 7 | 5 | Yes | 1 | 2 | 1 Oct 2027 |
| United States | 13 | 11 | Yes | 0 | 3 | — |
| Vietnam | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
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About the SPI Regulation Tracker
- Purpose
- To show packaging teams which rules on packaging and packaging waste apply where, from when, and at what rate, with the official text one click away.
- Coverage
- 79 rules in 25 jurisdictions: extended producer responsibility, packaging taxes, bans, recycled-content and reuse targets, labelling, deposit return, design and reporting rules. Coverage is growing and is not complete for any jurisdiction.
- Data sources
- Official journals and gazettes, legislatures, ministries, regulators and the bodies that run each scheme. Each rule names its source, links to it and quotes it.
- SPI Methodology
- An analyst finds the rule in its source, records the facts (authority, dates, rate, materials) and copies a short quote. The SPI summary and SPI note are our reading of the source and are labelled. A second SPI team member then re-checks the rule against the source; it is then marked Verified. Any later change to the facts sends it back to Sourced and is logged in its history.
- Limitations
- Not legal advice. 33 of 79 rules have had a second check so far. Rates and dates can change after the date a source was consulted, and secondary legislation, guidance and local rules may not be listed. Always rely on the official text.
- Access
- Free to read and to download as CSV, with weekly change alerts by e-mail. For a mapping of the rules to your own products and markets, request a briefing.
- Corrections
- Found an error or a missing rule? Write to sales@strategicpackaginginsights.com with the rule ID and the source. Corrections are logged in the rule history.
Questions
Does Canada have packaging EPR?
Yes. In force: British Columbia packaging and paper product EPR (Recycle BC) (British Columbia), Quebec modernized selective collection (EPR) system (Quebec) and Ontario Blue Box Regulation (O. Reg. 391/21) full producer responsibility (Ontario). Each rule is listed on this page with its authority, dates and official source.
Is there a packaging tax in Canada?
We have not yet recorded a packaging tax or levy in force in Canada as of 13 October 2026.
Which packaging items are banned in Canada?
Bans in force: B.C. Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation (British Columbia) and Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations (SOR/2022-138).
What are the rows in this tracker based on?
Each rule links to the source it was taken from, usually the legal text in an official journal or gazette or the page of the ministry, regulator or agency that runs it, with a short quote from that source. 33 of the 79 rules have also been re-checked against the source by a second SPI team member and are marked Verified; the others are marked Sourced. Always confirm against the linked text before relying on a rule.
What is the difference between the source quote and the SPI summary?
The quote is copied from the official source. The SPI summary and any SPI note are our own reading of it, written in plain language, and are labelled as such.
What do the statuses mean?
Enacted rules are law: in force (applies now), adopted (passed, but obligations start later), expired or withdrawn. Proposed rules are formal proposals or drafts that are not yet law.
Is this legal advice?
No. The tracker summarises official texts so you can see what applies and when. Always check the linked legal text, or ask us for a compliance briefing for your products and markets.
How current is a row, and what changed?
Each rule shows the date its source was consulted and a history of every change made to it since it was added. Rules are added and changed as the SPI team finds them, and a weekly source check re-opens the sources behind open points such as pending implementing acts, court cases and fee announcements.
Ask the SPI team
Which rules apply to your packs?
Tell us your products, materials and markets. An analyst maps the obligations, fees and deadlines that apply, with every source.
Prefer email? Write to sales@strategicpackaginginsights.com.
- Q1
Which packaging rules apply to us in each market we sell in?
We map each market's EPR, tax, ban, recycled-content, labelling and deposit rules against your materials and formats, and show which are in force, adopted or only proposed.
- Q2
What could EPR fees and plastic taxes cost us next year?
We apply published fee tables and tax rates to your tonnages and recycled content, and show the result as scenarios with every rate sourced.
- Q3
Can you tell us when a rule changes?
Yes. The free tracker alerts cover rule changes by country; a monitoring retainer adds monthly notes on what the changes mean for your portfolio.