Manufacturers Reminded of Ontario’s New Provincial Strategy for Resource Recovery and Waste Reduction

The Canadian Province of Ontario is introducing a strategy for resource recovery and waste reduction based on the Waste-Free Ontario Act of 2016. This piece of legislation enacted the:
• Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act (2016) (RRCEA)
• Waste Diversion Transition Act (2016),

The RRCEA is a piece of legislation that promotes a circular economy, making it one of the first in North America. It promotes:

• Resource recovery
• Reduction in landfill waste

The intention of the RRCEA is to:

• Minimize raw materials use
• Maximize the useful life of materials and other resources through resource recovery
• Minimize waste generation from end of life of products and packaging

The legislation defines obligations and identifies responsibilities relating to the collection and management of products with regards to reuse, recovery or recycling. Resource recovery will be used to remove useful materials and resources from end of useful life electrical and electronic (EE) products. Waste reduction by minimizing the creation of waste at the end of life by making these material considerations part of product design.

The designation of materials and products will be through regulations made under the RRCEA. The first set of materials and products include:

• Small appliances
• Electrical tools
• Batteries
• Fluorescent bulbs and tubes
• Mattresses
• Carpets
• Clothing and other textiles
• Furniture and other bulky items

The Waste Diversion Transition Act (2016) will be enforced from July 1, 2020, following the repeal of the current Waste Diversion Act (2002) and the ending of the current Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES) program. This not-for-profit organization led program currently administers the recycling procedures for certain EE products in the province.

The Waste Diversion Transition Act (2016) will replace the OES program but, in contrast to the OES program, the new Act will place the obligation for reuse, recovery and/or recycling on the operator responsible for placing the product on the market in Ontario. This is similar to the WEEE Directive in the European Union.

The Waste Diversion Transition Act (2016) will:
• Promote the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste
• Provide for the operation of waste diversion programs
• Promote the orderly completion of current waste diversion programs and industry funding organizations in order to allow responsibility for waste to be governed under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 or otherwise

Stakeholders are advised to check the terms of the new Ontario regulations to ensure their products remain compliant.

SGS Electrical and Electronic Product Services
SGS’s global network of accredited testing laboratories and specialized teams of local experts offer a range of services to manufacturers and retailers in the electronics industry. They understand regulations and standards for every product and target market and can help reduce risk, improve efficiency and ensure compliance. Learn more about SGS’s Electrical and Electronic Product Services [www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail/electrical-and-electronics]

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Ontario Introduces Provincial Strategy for Resource Recovery and Waste Reduction SafeGuardS. [www.sgs.com/en/news/2018/07/safeguards-10518-ontario-introduces-provincial-strategy-for-resource-recovery-and-waste-reduction]

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For further information contact:

David Linder
RSTS Technical Manager Electrical & Electronic Products
Tel: +1 973-461-7901
Email: crs.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 95,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,400 offices and laboratories around the world.

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This release was published on openPR.