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

2 Topics to be Covered national pollutant release inventory OverviewOverview Legal FrameworkLegal Framework Reporting to the NPRIReporting to the NPRI Consultation and Ongoing ImprovementConsultation and Ongoing Improvement

3 The NPRI national pollutant release inventory National Pollutant Release Inventory (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.

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

5 Development of the NPRI national pollutant release inventory Reporting requirements were established in 1992 by a multistakeholder advisory committee, with representatives from industry, environmental organizations and governments.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.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 which was the first reporting year.178 substances were listed for which was the first reporting year.

6 Legal Framework for the NPRI national pollutant release inventory 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.

7 Enforcement and Compliance national pollutant release inventory 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

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

9 Consultation - A Key to Success national pollutant release inventory 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.

10 Consultation - A Key to Success national pollutant release inventory Some key components of the NPRI consultative process include:Some key components of the NPRI consultative process include: involvement of stakeholders from industry, environmental organizations and governments;involvement of stakeholders from industry, environmental organizations and governments; consensus is sought where possible, positions are noted where consensus cannot be reached;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;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;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; andclear rules and timelines provided at outset; and the NPRI Work Group develops a report to take to wider (public) consultations.the NPRI Work Group develops a report to take to wider (public) consultations.

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

12 In Summary national pollutant release inventory Canada’s PRTR, the NPRI, is a very important tool for the Canadian governmentCanada’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 mandatoryThe 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 successConsultation during development, implementation and ongoing modification of a PRTR is vital to success