Canada Packaging EPR: May 31 Reporting and Compliance Steps
Canada’s provincial packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs continue to mature, and for most provinces with established systems, the May 31 annual reporting deadline is the central compliance milestone in 2026.
This update breaks down the provincial deadlines, explains what materials and companies fall in scope, and outlines what producers should do now to be ready for the 2026 compliance cycle.
Packaging EPR Annual Reporting Deadlines Across Canada
British Columbia — May 31, 2026
British Columbia’s long-standing provincial packaging EPR program requires obligated producers to report the amount of packaging and paper products supplied in the previous calendar year to a PRO, such as Recycle BC, by May 31 annually.
What Producers in BC Must Do
- Register with a PRO as a producer.
- Prepare and submit 2025 packaging supply data to a PRO by May 31, 2026.
Alberta — May 31, 2026 and June 30, 2026
Alberta’s packaging and printed paper EPR program, administered through ARMA and PROs such as Circular Materials, sets an annual reporting deadline of May 31 for 2025 data.
What Producers in Alberta Must Do
- Ensure registration with the Alberta Recycling Management Authority and chosen PRO.
- Submit 2025 packaging supply data to a PRO by May 31, 2026.
- Submit an additional packaging supply data report to ARMA by June 30, 2026.
Saskatchewan — May 31, 2026
Saskatchewan’s packaging EPR regulations require annual submissions of supply data to a PRO, such as SK Recycles, by May 31, aligning with other provinces.
What Producers in Saskatchewan Must Do
- Report 2025 packaging and paper supply to a PRO by May 31, 2026.
Manitoba — May 31, 2026
Manitoba’s Multi-Material Stewardship program transitions toward full EPR; obligated producers must report the prior year’s packaging and paper supply to a PRO, such as MMSM, by May 31 annually.
What Producers in Manitoba Must Do
- Confirm registration with MMSM or another designated PRO.
- Submit 2025 packaging supply data to a PRO by May 31, 2026.
Ontario — May 31, 2026
Under Ontario’s fully transitioned Blue Box EPR system (fully transitioned January 1, 2026), producers are required to submit annual packaging and paper supply data to the Resource Productivity & Recovery Authority (RPRA) and to a PRO, such as Circular Materials, Landbell Canada, Ryse Solutions, or EnviroFocus Inc., by May 31 for the prior year’s volumes.
What Producers in Ontario Must Do
- Register with RPRA and a PRO of choice.
- Prepare and submit 2025 Blue Box material data to a PRO by May 31, 2026.
- Prepare and submit 2025 Blue Box material data to RPRA by May 31, 2026.
New Brunswick — May 31, 2026
New Brunswick’s transition to a packaging EPR model requires producers to report annual supply data to a PRO, such as Circular Materials, by May 31 for the previous calendar year.
What Producers in New Brunswick Must Do
- Register with Recycle NB and a PRO.
- Submit 2025 packaging supply data to a PRO only by May 31, 2026.
Yukon — May 31, 2026
Yukon’s newer EPR regulations require annual reporting of packaging supply data based on the previous year’s volumes to a chosen PRO, such as Circular Materials, by May 31 through the PRO portal.
What Producers in Yukon Must Do
- Register with a PRO or comply directly under the Yukon EPR regulation.
- Submit 2025 packaging and paper supply data to a PRO by May 31, 2026.
Nova Scotia — May 31, 2026
Nova Scotia is implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging, paper products, and packaging-like products under N.S. Reg. 139/2023. Producers are required to register with Divert NS, with May 31 being the annual reporting deadline to a PRO, such as Circular Materials, and to Divert NS for obligated producers.
Key Dates for Nova Scotia Packaging EPR
- Prepare and submit 2025 packaging supply data to a PRO by May 31, 2026.
- Prepare and submit 2025 packaging supply data to Divert NS by May 31, 2026.
Québec — May 31, 2026
Québec’s packaging EPR framework under Éco Entreprises Québec (EEQ) now requires annual reporting of packaging supply data based on the previous year’s volumes by May 31.
What Producers in Québec Must Do
- Prepare and submit 2025 packaging supply data to EEQ by May 31, 2026.
Other Important Deadlines
Federal Plastics Registry Update: Phase 2 and 3 Delayed
Producers should also monitor Canada’s Federal Plastics Registry (FPR), administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). ECCC recently confirmed that reporting for Phases 2 and 3 will be delayed following stakeholder feedback on complexity and implementation challenges. The existing Notice will be amended to reflect this delay for the 2024, 2025, and 2026 calendar years, allowing additional time to streamline requirements and improve data quality.
Phase 1 reporting remains unchanged. Producers of plastic packaging, electronics, and single-use or disposable plastics destined for the residential waste stream must continue reporting under the current Notice, including submission of 2025 data by September 29, 2026.
ECCC has indicated that a Notice of Intent is expected in Winter 2026, followed by a new Notice in Summer 2026 setting out future reporting requirements.
How RLG Supports Canadian Packaging EPR Compliance
Meeting Canadian packaging EPR obligations requires strong data foundations and ongoing regulatory awareness. It isn’t always easy, even within established programs, and that’s where RLG can help
RLG’s Horizon Scanning tracks provincial deadlines like May 31 and highlights rule changes as they emerge. EPR Assessments determine in-scope SKUs and uncover weaknesses in supplier data. Packaging Data Health Services improve data quality for accurate reporting, and Environmental Compliance Management brings multiple provincial requirements into a single, coordinated approach.
Book a confidential, fifteen-minute discovery call with RLG to build a practical compliance roadmap ahead of the May 31 deadline.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Laws are subject to interpretation and change without notice, so always consult with professional advisors and refer to primary sources. Content is accurate as of publication date but may not be regularly updated.
Editor’s note: This article has been reviewed by EPR expert Redmond Naval.
