Pollutant Release & Transfer Registers The Canadian Government Experience

1. Pollutant Release & Transfer Registers The Canadian Government Experience National Workshop on PRTRs Santiago, Chilé - May 29, 2002

2. Topics to be Covered • Overview • Legal Framework • Reporting to the NPRI • Consultation and Ongoing Improvement national pollutant release inventory

3. The NPRI The National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) is Canada’s Pollutant Release and Transfer Register. The NPRI is an annual, national, publicly-accessible database of pollutants released on site to the environment, or transferred off site for disposal or recycling, by private and publicly-owned facilities. national pollutant release inventory

4. Purpose of the NPRI • The NPRI was established to : • Identify priorities for action • Encourage voluntary action to reduce releases and transfers • Allow tracking of progress in reducing releases and transfers • Improve public understanding of pollutant sources • Support targeted regulatory initiatives national pollutant release inventory

5. Development of the NPRI • Reporting requirements were established in 1992 by a multistakeholder advisory committee, with representatives from industry, environmental organizations and governments. • Original NPRI list of substances was derived through stakeholder consultation. Substances not used in Canada or addressed under other Canadian legislation were excluded. • 178 substances were listed for 1993 - which was the first reporting year. national pollutant release inventory

6. Legal Framework for the NPRI • Enabling legislation • The Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 (CEPA 1999) is Canada’s primary environmental legislation. CEPA 1999 Section 46 requires those subject to NPRI notice to report information that they possess or that they may reasonably be expected to have access to. • CEPA 1999 also gives authority for the Minister to establish a national inventory using the information collected above and publish it in any manner the Minister considers appropriate. national pollutant release inventory

7. Enforcement and Compliance • Reporting to the NPRI is mandatory • NPRI undertakes compliance promotion activities to help understanding of reporting requirements and improve quality of reported data • Failure to file a report by the June 1 deadline is a violation of CEPA and may be subject to enforcement action. A warning letter is sent for the first violation and repeat violators are subject to further action national pollutant release inventory

8. Assistance to Reporters • NPRI provides assistance to reporting facilities and potential reporters through: • annual guidance documents on reporting requirements and techniques; • workshops and support by Regional NPRI staff; • guidance incorporated in reporting software; and • brochures to facilities expected to meet new reporting requirements. national pollutant release inventory

9. Consultation - A Key to Success • The consultative process used to develop the NPRI and for annual changes are a key to NPRI’s success by promoting cooperation and securing buy-in from stakeholders. national pollutant release inventory

10. Consultation - A Key to Success • Some key components of the NPRI consultative process include: • involvement of stakeholders from industry, environmental organizations and governments; • consensus is sought where possible, positions are noted where consensus cannot be reached; • draft proposals including the rationale behind changes are developed by Environment Canada to initiate consultations; • the Minister of the Environment has final decision but takes into consideration, and provides a response to, stakeholder recommendations; • clear rules and timelines provided at outset; and • the NPRI Work Group develops a report to take to wider (public) consultations. national pollutant release inventory

11. NPRI Products • A National Overview Report and Regional Fact Sheets are published annually. • On-line Data Search capabilities, reports and data are available on an NPRI CD-Rom and at the NPRI website (www.ec.gc.ca/pdb/npri). • User Groups include governments and policy developers, industry, environmental organizations, the media, and community and educational groups. national pollutant release inventory

12. In Summary • Canada’s PRTR, the NPRI, is a very important tool for the Canadian government • The legislative framework for NPRI enables it to be effective by making reporting mandatory • Consultation during development, implementation and ongoing modification of a PRTR is vital to success national pollutant release inventory