Environment and Climate Change Canada: Red Tape Reduction Plan and Progress Report 2025

Executive summary

The bottom line

Environmental rules matter. They protect our air, land, water, nature, and communities. They protect our homes and families from being exposed to harmful substances. But that’s not all they do. Environmental rules also support clean growth and open new markets for Canadian businesses. Clear and stable regulations reduce uncertainty, helping businesses plan for the future and make confident investment decisions. Environmental rules are about building a healthier, more sustainable future—for everyone.

How we design environmental rules also matters. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has long been committed to making continuous improvements to reduce red tape, ensuring that every regulatory requirement delivers a meaningful benefit. This is our starting point—but we’re going further. Canadians should know that we’re not just improving the rules we have in place right now. We’re modernizing our entire regulatory toolbox, from how we make decisions to digital service delivery, and we’re laying the groundwork to make the most of new and emerging technologies.

We’re changing how we work. Red tape review is about efficiency, responsiveness, and building a system that works better for everyone. Internally, we’re streamlining processes to deliver faster, smarter, and more flexible regulations—without compromising environmental protections, regulatory predictability and meaningful consultation. By engaging constructively in the regulatory process, the regulated community, rights holders, and stakeholders make our regulations better and more efficient.

Context: why environmental regulations are important

Pollution negatively affects human health, places a burden on the health care system, degrades the environment and has an adverse impact on the economy.

ECCC’s air pollution regulations (for example the Multi-Sector Air Pollutants Regulations, vehicle and fuel standards, and regulations limiting industrial releases of volatile organic compounds such as benzene) reduce risks for a wide range of health problems, including asthma, lung cancer, heart disease, heart failure, and premature deaths. Air pollution regulations also reduce acid rain and smog, helping to keep our forests healthy.

Federal wastewater regulations keep raw and undertreated sewage out of the waterways that Canadians swim in, fish from, and rely on for healthy ecosystems.

Plastics regulations reduce litter in our neighbourhoods, prevent harmful effects to wildlife, and keep plastic out of oceans, lakes, and rivers. Regulations that limit harmful substances like lead, mercury, and asbestos in everyday products help protect our health, our families, and wildlife from the damages these toxic materials can cause.

The Migratory Birds Regulations protect loons, geese, songbirds, and other species Canadians see and enjoy every day. ECCC also has regulations to stop illegal wildlife products such as ivory from entering into Canada.

ECCC administers over 130 instruments that apply to over 47,000 organizations. These include regulations, codes of practice, release guidelines, pollution prevention planning notices, and others. Of these, 88 are regulations that address areas of chemicals management, air pollution, greenhouse gases, water pollution, wildlife and conservation.

ECCC regulations play a critical role in:

• protecting our environment, our homes, and human health from harmful substances
• conserving Canada’s nature and wildlife
• enabling industry to participate competitively within Canada and on the world stage

Understanding red tape and compliance burden

Throughout this report, we use the term “red tape” to refer to the processes and requirements that add unnecessary or disproportionate burden without providing comparable benefits. The term “administrative burden” is used interchangeably with red tape and includes planning, collecting, processing and reporting information, completing forms and retaining data required by the federal government. Reducing red tape or administrative burden means that we will be looking at elements that we can streamline, modernize or eliminate without undermining the core protective purpose of the regulations.

“Compliance burden” is the overall effort associated with complying with regulations, including administrative burden as well as the substantive changes or investments that businesses make to meet the standards in regulations.

There are also opportunities for us to reduce administrative burden within our internal processes. We are currently undertaking an internal audit to evaluate our processes that support the development, implementation and review of regulations. Once completed, the audit results will identify actions that we can take to improve efficiency, coordination and regulatory performance.

Red tape reduction is part of our ongoing commitment to regulatory excellence

As a major federal regulator, ECCC has made numerous efforts over the years to streamline our regulations and eliminate overlap with other jurisdictions.

In the last 10 years, we have entered into 11 equivalency agreements with provinces and territories on various regulations where provincial and territorial regulatory regimes achieve the same or better environmental outcomes. The federal regulatory requirements do not apply in those jurisdictions, avoiding duplication for regulated parties.

We recently implemented digital and automated reporting for six vehicle and engine emissions regulations. We worked with Canada Border Services Agency’s Single Window Initiative to make import declaration processes easier. Supporting streamlined processes reduces business costs without impacting environmental protection.

The Certain Products Containing Toxic Substances Regulations are an example of an approach that we are using to reduce complexity and streamline requirements without reducing protections. This approach includes multiple substances of concern in products in one generic products regulation. It prevents the need for multiple regulations with similar purposes, reducing the number of instruments businesses need to be familiar with to understand and comply with requirements.

Regulatory red tape can also come from legislative authorities, which establish the rules that govern when and how we regulate and may limit if and how much we can adjust and adapt our regulatory approaches. When regulatory changes alone are not enough to address the issue, legislative changes may be needed.

For example, during the previous Parliament, the Government of Canada introduced various legislative changes under Bill S-6, An Act respecting regulatory modernization. Bill S-6 proposed changes to 29 federal laws, including two statutes under the authority of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change: the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act and the Species at Risk Act. These changes were aimed at reducing regulatory red tape and included enabling faster alignment with international actions on wildlife species instead of requiring regulatory changes that create unnecessary delays and uncertainty about the applicability of international rules. While Bill S-6 did not become law, ECCC will continue to consider these and other similar possible legislative changes to further reduce red tape.

The above examples highlight various ways we have been reducing regulatory burden while ensuring effective environmental protection. We know there are opportunities for further improvements, many of which are supported by lessons learned from working with regulated parties over time.

Delivering on our commitment to reduce red tape

ECCC takes a risk-based approach to regulatory decision-making, focusing on the biggest threats, and accounting for both benefits and costs of intervention. But risk isn’t static. As the world changes—through shifting economics, new industries, new technology, and evolving science—our understanding and calculation of risk changes too. More opportunities can be found by updating how we assess and respond to evolving risks.

This report outlines our recent and upcoming initiatives to further reduce red tape across our regulations over the short, medium and long term, as well as their achieved and expected outcomes.

This report categorizes our initiatives under the following five themes:

• system-wide improvements: actions that transform how we do business and embed red-tape reduction into our day-to-day regulatory practices so that every stage, from design to review, consistently reflects our commitment to simplicity, efficiency, and better outcomes
• service delivery: actions that enhance how regulated parties interact with us, including how they submit information and how we communicate regulatory decisions
• administrative efficiency: actions that improve clarity and certainty of regulatory requirements, reduce complexity and simplify processes
• regulatory effectiveness: actions that balance regulatory responsibilities with level of risk and support environmental protection, innovation, and economic growth
• regulatory alignment: actions that improve our alignment with domestic and international partners to facilitate trade and reduce duplicative or conflicting requirements

These initiatives will provide a range of benefits to industry and stakeholders, including time and cost savings as well as enabling new opportunities for innovation. Overall, the initiatives will help us ensure that:

• regulatory services are accessible, efficient, and client-focused through the modernization of tools and processes, and improvements that increase operational efficiency and reduce paperwork for businesses
• regulatory requirements and processes are easy to follow and understand through efforts to streamline them, enhance clarity and predictability and improve how and when businesses receive regulatory decisions  
• regulatory policies are fit for purpose and support priorities by addressing outdated requirements and calibrating them to appropriate, science-based thresholds, enabling new products and services to go to market and improving how and what actions are authorized (for example through permits and licenses)
• regulations support partnerships and deliver strong outcomes beyond policy alignment by removing duplication and overlap between regulatory regimes and enabling efficient and reliable supply chains
• departmental processes and systems integrate a sustained focus on reducing red tape by ensuring that regulatory decision-making, policies, processes and resources consistently reflect best practices and provide regular opportunities to review and adjust requirements

This report includes initiatives at various stages of implementation that have or are expected to contribute to reducing regulatory red tape. It includes initiatives that have been completed in the past year, those that are currently underway, and some that ECCC plans to pursue in the coming years.

For any proposed regulatory changes, ECCC follows the Government’s standard process for updating or creating new regulations. The webpage on how new laws and regulations are created provides more information on this process. In many cases, the actions identified in this report will require further engagement with stakeholders and with key partners.

Recognizing that some of these proposed actions may have impacts on Indigenous Peoples’ rights and interests, we are committed to meeting our Constitutional obligations and to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. This includes the obligation to consult and cooperate with Indigenous Peoples to ensure that federal laws and regulations are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Moving forward

Theme: system-wide improvements

Initiatives under this theme transform how we do business. They embed red-tape reduction into our day-to-day regulatory practices so that every stage, from design to review, consistently reflects our commitment to simplicity, efficiency, and better outcomes.

Initiatives actively underway

1. Transform how we serve our regulated community through Regulatory Services Modernization

Summary

ECCC’s Regulatory Services Modernization initiative is creating more streamlined and standardized approaches for designing, developing and implementing regulatory activities. We are modernizing the way that regulated parties comply with regulations by removing outdated and manual processes, reducing duplication, improving consistency across regulations, and improving service delivery and data management.

Context

Regulated parties have expressed concerns about complicated, outdated, and inconsistent processes that make it difficult for them to comply with regulations. We are aware that these are critical areas for improvement, for example:

• reporting for regulations is not centralized
• over 80% of reports still use outdated formats like mail, fax, or emailed PDF documents
• legacy processes at ECCC can contain unclear requirements, leading to delays, duplicate reporting, and poor service delivery
• data storage and management are not centralized

Regulatory Services Modernization is an ECCC initiative to develop consistent and efficient ways to carry out regulatory work and processes. It focuses on improving how we manage data and how we interact with external stakeholders. We aim to improve service delivery to people and businesses, reduce administrative burden, make regulations more effective, and increase alignment with key partners in Canada and abroad.

Actions

Our Regulatory Services Modernization initiative consists of four key actions:

• Regulatory Services Platform
• Regulatory standardization
• Data management
• Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) Registry modernization

Regulatory Services Platform: We launched the Regulatory Services Platform in June 2025 to offer a single, accessible digital service for regulated parties. The new platform provides a centralized way for regulated parties to submit electronic forms and data, as well as the ability to access the status of submissions at any given time. This platform simplifies processes, reduces administrative burden and saves costs for businesses. We launched the platform for use on three instruments and we intend to expand its use to more instruments (adding up to 15 instruments per year). We will continue improving functionality and user experience over this time. For more details, please see item 8 of this report on the Regulatory Services Platform.

Regulatory standardization: We are clarifying the language and processes used to define and implement common regulatory activities such as permits, reports, and notifications. This will improve consistency and help regulated parties better understand their obligations, particularly when they are subject to more than one of our regulations. It will also increase efficiency in the design and development of regulations.

Data management: We are modernizing the ways we collect, store, manage, and use data. We are formalizing our roles and processes related to data, modernizing our databases and quality-checking tools to produce data that is trusted, discoverable, and accessible. This will support the use of data for timely decision-making and in protecting the environment. 

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) Registry modernization: We are working to improve access to public regulatory information under CEPA and to centralize data that is currently spread out across numerous web sites and resources. For example, this would include centralizing the list of chemical substances and the applicable requirements and instrument(s) we use to that manage them in one place. We are developing a solution that is standardized, reliable and scalable so that regulated parties can access a single service to quickly find the information that they need. This will help regulated parties understand their obligations and comply with regulations.

Timeline

Ongoing

Outcomes

These actions will enable us to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and deliver better services to regulated parties and Canadians. Moving forward, regulated parties can expect reduced administrative burden, improved user experience, easier access to information, and greater transparency in their interactions with ECCC. 

The Regulatory Services Modernization initiative fundamentally changes how data is collected and managed. The standardized collection of data will form the basis of future AI-based tools to improve the management of environmental pollution and conservation through data analysis and more rapid information on results from regulatory measures.

2. Expand and modernize ECCC’s Instrument Choice Framework to select the best actions

Summary

Regulations are not the only instruments that ECCC can use to achieve results. We will update and expand our process for reviewing and selecting the instrument or mix of instruments employed to achieve public policy outcomes in an effective and cost-efficient way.

Context

Regulations are important instruments for achieving policy objectives, such as protecting the environment. Regulations are often not the only effective instrument and can be costly to develop and implement to both government and industry.

ECCC’s Instrument Choice Framework is a systemic approach to choose the instruments that are most likely to achieve objectives or address identified risks. The Framework brings together a multidisciplinary team to consider the environmental effectiveness, economic considerations, acceptability and compatibility of rules across jurisdictions, and international alignment considerations. This approach provides an early check-in point to determine potential impacts of new regulations or requirements. It also supports the consideration of other instruments that may be less burdensome yet still effective, such as voluntary measures and agreements.

Actions

Over the next two years, we will update and expand this Framework so that it can be more widely used across the Department. The update will include additional resources and considerations for flexible and alternative approaches, such as:

• the use of less burdensome and resource-intensive instruments to achieve cost-effective results
• enhanced economic analysis to better understand costs and benefits early on
• consideration of which minister is best placed to take action to better support horizontal efforts across the Government of Canada

Timeline

Medium-term (within the next two years) and ongoing

Outcomes

Non-regulatory instruments can usually be developed much more quickly than regulations, which can lead to quicker achievement of objectives. Non-regulatory instruments can also be designed and implemented with greater flexibility in collaboration with key stakeholders. In addition, they can be used before a regulation is made to ensure that outcomes and requirements are technically feasible and effectively designed.

When public policy and industry objectives are already aligned, regulations may result in unnecessary burden with no or little additional benefit. In these cases, less burdensome instruments could be explored.

For example, we selected a pollution prevention planning notice to manage the risks associated with diisocyanates (TDIs) which are substances determined to be toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The notice resulted in a 55% reduction of actual or estimated on-site releases of this substance, and a 94% reduction of predicted TDI concentration. The notice successfully achieved its objectives as all facilities reduced their releases, or remained under the limits, without the additional burden that new regulations may have created.

Broader use of the Instrument Choice Framework early on in decision-making would provide more opportunities to ensure that rules contribute meaningfully towards protections and do not create new sources of regulatory burden.

3. Modernize Regulatory Stock Review to focus reviews on high-priority areas

Summary

We are improving our regulatory stock review process to focus on high priority areas and review regulations on a sector-wide or themed basis. This will allow us to address issues that are important to the industry in a more timely and efficient way.

Context

ECCC's Regulatory stock review plan sets out the planned reviews of our regulations. The current plan provided an ambitious approach to review the large number of regulations we administer. Since the current plan was put in place, we have faced various challenges and have not achieved the progress expected at this point in time. Many reviews were delayed because of competing priorities, outdated IT systems, and system backlogs.

We have recently reviewed our approach to regulatory reviews and we are making adjustments to support a timelier review process that adapts to current realities and delivers results.

Actions

ECCC is developing a new approach to reviewing our regulations by focusing on high priority areas, rather than reviewing regulations one at a time. We will publish a new regulatory stock review plan by spring 2026. The new plan will outline the initial themes and priority areas that we plan to assess over the next several years, plus other regulatory reviews planned during this time.

Some examples of review themes include:

• enabling digital modernization across all ECCC regulations
• improving clarity and consistency to better support industry compliance and address requirements that contribute to preventable administrative non-compliances, reducing the need for enforcement actions
• reducing overlap and duplicative requirements within ECCC regulations

We will provide an opportunity every year for stakeholders to engage on the review areas set out in the plan. In addition, we will publish annually the key findings from completed reviews and consult with stakeholders on the findings and proposed recommendations.

Timeline

Short-term (by spring 2026) and ongoing

Outcomes

We expect that our new approach will help bring meaningful and positive changes to industry. A sector-wide or theme-based review will allow us to better identify and address cumulative burdens from overlapping regulations, duplicate or outdated requirements, and obsolete regulations.

It will also help create consistency across related sectors. The open opportunity for consultation on the reviews will provide a broader context for feedback and provide opportunities to propose integrated solutions rather than reacting to isolated changes.

We will work more efficiently to prioritize reviews and develop recommendations that will lead to better regulations. Recommendations made from these reviews will allow us to address these targeted issues in a timely and consistent way across all relevant regulations.

Together, these changes will help reduce administrative burden, save costs, improve clarity and consistency, and make Canadian businesses more competitive while maintaining or improving environmental protections.

4. Amend multiple regulations through a single regulatory initiative

Summary

ECCC is taking a new, more efficient approach to implementing administrative changes that reduce red tape across multiple regulations. Starting this year, we plan to initiate regular amendment processes that bundle red tape changes wherever possible. This will help keep our regulations up to date and improve internal efficiencies at the same time.

Context

To support the Government of Canada’s regulatory modernization agenda and commitment to reducing administrative burden, we are working on ways to triage and update our regulations in a timelier manner.

Currently, a number of regulations require changes to correct minor issues such as outdated references or methods, and discrepancies between English and French versions or other ambiguous language that impact regulatory clarity. The administrative nature of the changes does not always merit a separate regulatory initiative. When taken individually, these changes are often put on hold for lengthy periods of time, until a more pressing amendment to the relevant regulation is required. This results in regulations that are out of date and potentially causing uncertainty as it relates to compliance with regulatory requirements.

Actions

To ensure that these types of administrative and non-controversial amendments can be pursued in a timely manner, we will initiate a centralized process to combine changes across several regulations under a single regulatory initiative. To be as efficient as possible, similar amendments will be grouped together. We will aim to finalize the first three bundles of amendments by publishing them in Canada Gazette, Part II, within 18 months.

We will evaluate the effectiveness of the approach over this time and work with federal central agencies with responsibilities in the regulatory process to identify ways to accelerate these types of initiatives.

Timeline

Medium-term (within the next two years)

Outcomes

Grouping similar initiatives into a single regulatory initiative will allow us to streamline processes and achieve results that benefit regulated parties in a timelier manner. This approach will mean that regulated parties in Canada can expect clearer, more consistent, and up-to-date language in our regulations to happen faster. This will improve accessibility and usability, reduce administrative burden, and make it easier for regulated parties to comply with requirements.

5. Increase cooperation and reduce overlap through equivalency and administrative agreements

Summary

ECCC can enter into agreements with other jurisdictions in Canada to stand down or collaboratively administer federal regulations. These agreements reduce overlap in regulatory regimes, which reduces administrative burden for regulated parties.

Context

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Fisheries Act both allow the federal government to enter into agreements with other jurisdictions in Canada, including provinces, territories and Indigenous governments.

There are two types of agreements:

• Equivalency agreements: when other jurisdictions have regulatory regimes that are deemed to deliver equivalent environmental outcomes and an equivalency agreement is in force, then the federal regulatory requirements do not apply. This reduces regulatory duplication where there is no meaningful benefit
• Administrative agreements: when ECCC and other jurisdictions agree to work together in the implementation of regulatory regimes. In this situation, regulations continue to apply, however, administrative burden to industry is reduced. For example, this can be done by using common reporting tools, single points of contact, sharing of information, and regionally targeted support for federal regulations

Actions

A recent example of a federal-provincial agreement is the renewal of an equivalency agreement with the province of Alberta for the Regulations Respecting Reduction in the Release of Methane and Certain Volatile Organic Compounds (Upstream Oil and Gas Sector). Once finalized, this agreement would continue the Canada-Alberta equivalency agreement that has been in place since 2020, which is set to expire in October 2025. Finalizing a new agreement will allow industry to continue to comply only with provincial regulations, leading to reduced administrative burden and potential cost savings. Equivalency agreements for the federal oil and gas methane regulations also stand down these federal regulations in British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

In addition, the federal-provincial-territorial Environmental Occurrences Notification Agreements, in place since 2011, streamline the emergency notification system and reduce duplication of effort for persons who are required to notify federal and provincial/territorial governments of an environmental emergency or environmental occurrence, such as an oil or chemical release. Under the agreements, authorities operating 24 hours a day for the provinces and territories receive notifications and transfer this information to ECCC. This means that polluters only need to contact one authority to comply with multiple federal and provincial/territorial regulations. A process to renew the agreements for another 5-year period is currently underway. 

Timeline

Ongoing

Outcomes

ECCC continues to be open to discuss bilateral agreements, whether they are equivalency or administrative agreements. We welcome opportunities to explore increased cooperation that leads to reduced regulatory duplication, delivering cost savings for Canadian industry and other regulated parties.

6. Make timely decisions for major projects in Canada

Getting major projects built in Canada is a priority. Federal departments and agencies have been reviewing policies and practices to accelerate decision-making and improve the delivery of project assessments, permits, licenses, and authorizations for major projects.

Under the instruction of the Cabinet Directive on Regulatory and Permitting Efficiency, and coordinated by the Clean Growth Office in the Privy Council Office, we have been working with other federal departments to develop permitting plans, coordinate Crown consultations and increase collaboration with proponents to improve coordination on major projects.

We have developed guidance to reduce the burden on project proponents, including guidance on the scope and level of detail of information to be provided, and extending the single-window approach to permitting to improve coordination and integration of permitting processes with impact assessment processes.

On June 26, 2025, the Building Canada Act received royal assent, empowering the government to accelerate nation-building projects in consultation with Indigenous Peoples. We are committed to supporting the implementation while protecting environmental integrity and Indigenous rights, and building relationships and opportunities for economic partnerships with Indigenous Peoples.

In the Speech from the Throne, the government committed to establishing a Major Federal Projects Office to achieve project reviews and decisions within two years. ECCC will support the Office and collaborate with partners across government to enable this outcome with our own policies, practices, and regulations.

This includes examining potential targeted legislative amendments with the view to enhancing certainty and compliance predictability for project proponents while reducing administrative burden. Additionally, this includes developing proposals to support the outcome of two-year project reviews.

Theme: service delivery

Initiatives under this theme are examples of actions that ECCC is taking as part of its regulatory services modernization activities, which enhance how regulated parties interact with ECCC.

Recently completed initiatives

7. Modernize import reporting for vehicles

Summary

ECCC has implemented digital and automated reporting for six vehicle and engine emissions regulations. We have also worked with Canada Border Services Agency’s Single Window Initiative to make various types of documentation processes easier and more efficient for regulated parties.

Context

We administer six vehicle and engine emissions regulations that require regulated parties to submit import declarations. These regulations are:

• Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations
• On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations
• Off-road Compression-Ignition (Mobile and Stationary) and Large Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations
• Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations
• Heavy-duty Vehicle and Engine Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations
• Marine Spark-Ignition Engine, Vessel and Off-road Recreational Vehicle Emission Regulations

In the past, regulated parties submitted certain documents using PDF forms that needed physical signatures and scanning. It was also a slow internal process as ECCC staff had to manually enter data. Incorrect report submissions also required a lot of back-and-forth communication with those submitting forms.

Actions

We have continued to increase the use of digital and automated reporting templates and tools for regulated parties to submit documentation under these six regulations. These templates offer various improvements, enabling:

• secure digital authentication to remove the need to print, physically sign and scan the forms
• real-time data validation to reduce common submission errors
• compliance categories (such as EPA-certified, Canada-unique) with validation features to reduce errors in submissions

In addition, ECCC participated in Canada Border Services Agency’s Single Window Initiative. This initiative allows regulated parties to submit import information that satisfies requirements for multiple federal departments through a single digital interface.

Timeline

Completed

Outcomes

For the businesses subject to the six regulations, the automated reporting templates significantly reduce administrative burden. They can now file documentation digitally, spend less time on reporting, and receive real-time alerts when filling out forms to help avoid common errors. The Single Window Initiative allows regulated parties to submit import information that satisfies requirements of multiple federal departments through a single digital interface. Regulated parties will also spend less time communicating with government officials to clarify or correct errors. The Single Window Initiative simplifies the regulatory process and saves time and money for businesses.

These modernized tools also help ECCC become efficient in administering these regulations, reducing costs and improving our service to Canadians.

Together, these changes support a more modern, efficient, and user-friendly regulatory system. They support the government’s broader efforts to modernize service delivery and increase coordination between departments to reduce duplication and make it easier for businesses to comply with rules.

Initiatives actively underway

8. Expand the impact of ECCC’s new single, accessible digital service for regulated parties

Summary

ECCC launched the Regulatory Services Platform in June 2025, which offers a single, accessible digital service with simplified processes for regulated parties to reduce their administrative burden and costs. We aim to add more regulations and other instruments to the platform in the coming years and continue making improvements.

Context

The reporting for regulations and other instruments is not centralized, and many regulated parties still use formats such as mail, fax, or emailed PDF documents to submit data and reports to ECCC.

These outdated ways of reporting create inconsistencies and make it difficult and expensive for regulated parties to comply with regulations. They also make us less efficient as staff must manually enter data and information, increasing the possibility of human error. To address these issues, we are taking a phased approach to build a modern, digital, and centralized tool that focuses on the needs of the users.

Actions

We initially launched the new Regulatory Services Platform in June 2025 for three instruments:

• Clean Electricity Regulations
• Reduction in the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds (Storage and Loading of Volatile Petroleum Liquids) Regulations
• Voluntary Landfill Gas Survey

We are taking a phased approach to gradually expand this platform to include more regulations and instruments. We plan to add six more instruments to the platform by 2026:

• Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations
• Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit
• Migratory Bird Abandoned Nest Registry
• Pollution Prevention Planning
• Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations
• Federal Plastics Registry

We intend to continue to make improvements to the system and add up to 15 instruments to the platform every year.

Timeline

Ongoing

Outcomes

This modern, digital platform brings many benefits to regulated parties, as they can:

• follow a consistent process when subject to ECCC regulations
• access clearer regulatory information
• have organizational accounts that allow data sharing and centralized records
• transfer files more easily
• submit data and reports faster
• experience faster processing time due to digitalization
• have real-time automated checks that remind the user of incomplete information and help reduce common errors
• spend less time communicating with the government to clarify or correct errors

Early feedback shows the platform is easier to use, allows users to have faster access to regulatory services, and saves them time when reporting to ECCC.

We will continue to strengthen this platform and improve service delivery for more regulated parties as we add more instruments every year.

Theme: administrative efficiency

Initiatives under this theme improve clarity and certainty of regulatory requirements, reduce complexity and simplify processes.

Recently completed initiatives

9. Consolidate requirements for multiple toxic products

Summary

ECCC is enhancing protections against refined coal tar-based sealant products and streamlining the management of multiple toxic substances under one regulation, Certain Products Containing Toxic Substances Regulations.

Context

ECCC is taking a more efficient approach to protect the environment and human health from the risks posed by multiple substances that have been determined to be toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. We are doing this by developing a single regulation to manage multiple substances and products, with the possibility to add more substances in the future rather than develop unique regulations for each substance. This approach creates consistency and familiarity for industry, minimizes regulatory burden, and makes it easier for industry to understand their obligations.

Actions

In March 2025, ECCC published the Certain Products Containing Toxic Substances Regulations (CPCTS Regulations). The CPCTS Regulations protect the environment and human health from multiple toxic substances in the following products:

• certain sealant products containing coal tars and their distillates
• certain sealant products containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• certain cleaners, paints, paint strippers and solvents containing 2-butoxyethanol

ECCC also repealed the 2-Butoxyethanol Regulations and incorporated them into the new CPCTS Regulations.

Timeline

Completed

Outcomes

By managing toxic substances and products under a single regulation, we are following best regulatory practices and minimizing regulatory burden on regulated parties through consistent and predictable requirements. Instead of complying with different regulations for different substances, a single regulation can serve as a “one-stop shop” to find the rules for multiple products and substances.

Stakeholders will only need to become familiar with the requirements of one regulation instead of many. This could help reduce duplicate requirements across different regulations. Fewer consultations will be required. Consultations will only be required to add new substances and products into the Regulations; they will no longer need to discuss general provisions of the Regulations, such as record keeping and permits. Overall, this will reduce administrative burden and bring predictability and consistency for industry.

This approach will also reduce costs for the government and make ECCC more efficient in managing the risk of toxic substances and products in a timely way that will better protect the environment and human health.

10. Repeal the Renewable Fuels Regulations and incorporate into the Clean Fuel Regulations

Summary

ECCC modernized fuel regulations by repealing the 2010 Renewable Fuels Regulations and incorporating them into the 2022 Clean Fuel Regulations.

Context

The 2010 Renewable Fuels Regulations required fossil fuel producers and importers to have a certain average amount of renewable fuel content, based on the volume of gasoline, diesel fuel and heating distillate oil that they produced or imported into Canada for use in Canada.

In 2022, ECCC published the Clean Fuel Regulations to modernize our approach to regulating low carbon fuel content by:

• providing more flexibility 
• encouraging innovation across the fuel lifecycle
• encouraging development and deployment of cleaner fuels and technologies
• modernize how these requirements are implemented

Once the new approach was in place, the Renewable Fuels Regulations were no longer an effective or efficient instrument for addressing renewable fuels content, and were duplicative of new requirements. 

Actions

In September 2024, we completed the modernization efforts by repealing the Renewable Fuels Regulations, following the coming into force of the minimum volumetric requirements in the Clean Fuel Regulations.

Timeline

Completed

Outcomes

These actions have modernized Canada’s approach to regulating low carbon fuel content, supported improved processes, and significantly reduced administrative burden for the industry.

Initiatives actively underway

11. Enhance verification clarity and guidance of the Clean Fuel Regulations

Summary

ECCC is improving and clarifying the verification requirements of the Clean Fuel Regulations and providing more guidance to help stakeholders comply with the rules. We are also looking to better align our verification standard with international jurisdictions to minimize duplication and make it easier for businesses to operate in multiple countries.

Context

The Clean Fuel Regulations require producers and importers of gasoline and diesel to reduce the lifecycle carbon intensity of the gasoline and diesel they produce or import into Canada, for use in Canada. The Regulations use a performance-based lifecycle approach and establish a credit market. The credits represent reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that are created, traded and used for compliance. Fuel suppliers and other voluntary participants are required to use third-party verifiers to confirm whether they are conforming with the requirements related to credit creation and trading, applications and compliance reporting.

Regulated parties have said that it can be difficult to meet these requirements, and they have asked for more timely and consistent guidance to support them. They would like clearer expectations, more predictability, less duplication across programs, and better alignment with other jurisdictions. They have also said that accredited verification bodies have variations in their verification practices.

Actions

To address these concerns, ECCC published guidance documents to clarify verification requirements and processes. We created a centralized inquiry response process to answer stakeholder questions in a more timely and consistent manner. We continue to seek stakeholder feedback to help guide future updates in guidance materials and in verification methods.

We hold annual meetings with all accredited verification bodies to discuss lessons learned, ensure their alignment in verification methods, and promote continuous improvement.

Finally, when the Regulations are amended, we support aligning the Regulations’ verification requirements with the requirements of international jurisdictions where feasible, to reduce duplication and to make it easier for companies to operate in multiple countries.

Timeline

Ongoing

Outcomes

Over the next few years, these actions will:

• streamline the verification process across the fuel sector
• reduce the time and effort needed by stakeholders to develop compliant reports
• improve response times for stakeholder questions
• reduce delays for application approvals due to incomplete submissions
• increase consistency across verifications, and
• improve alignment with other jurisdictions

Regulated parties will have more support and guidance to help them meet regulatory requirements, which will make it easier to comply with the requirements. Overall, these actions will reduce barriers to participate in the Clean Fuel Regulations and strengthen confidence in the integrity of the system.

12. Modernize the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations

Summary

ECCC is repealing and replacing the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations to modernize requirements, enhance clarity and reduce burden on industry.

Context

The Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012 prohibit the manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale or import of 22 substances, or groups of substances, as well as products containing them. These substances, or groups of substances, have been determined to be toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.

The Regulations were first published in 1996. Over the years, the Regulations have been amended or repealed and replaced nine times to add substances, remove substances, or remove exemptions. These actions have made the Regulations overly complicated, creating uncertainty for compliance purposes and adding unnecessary administrative burden.

ECCC needed to streamline and simplify the regulations, remove uncertainty and reduce burden for the industry, while continuing to protect the environment and human health from toxic substances.

Actions

In 2022, we proposed new Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations to replace the 2012 regulations. We have consulted with stakeholders to seek comments and have incorporated feedback in the development of the new Regulations.

We are aiming to publish the final Regulations in the short term. The new regulations are expected to come into force six months following publication and will repeal and replace the current 2012 Regulations.

Timeline

Short-term (by spring 2026)

Outcomes

Once in force, the new Regulations will:

• protect the environment and human health by further restricting five substances and adding two new substances
• simplify the current Regulations by consolidating substance-specific requirements and removing unnecessary references to other Regulations
• remove unnecessary reporting requirements for certain substances
• clarify permit application clauses and provide more time for stakeholders to apply for permits
• specify measurable and feasible thresholds for determining incidental presence for the listed substances that are harmonized with other jurisdictions, and
• implement a modern reporting system

These changes will streamline and simplify the process, remove uncertainty, and reduce administrative burden for the industry.

13. Simplify requirements under the Multi-Sector Air Pollutants Regulations, Part I for industrial boilers and heaters

Summary

ECCC is amending the Multi-Sector Air Pollutants Regulations to simplify testing requirements. This will make it easier and more affordable for operators of industrial boilers and heaters to demonstrate compliance with the Regulations. 

Context

Part 1 of the Multi-Sector Air Pollutants Regulations regulates industrial nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from boilers and heaters. ECCC has found that the test procedures in Part 1 of the Regulations are not adequate for certain industrial boiler and heater configurations and may lead to unsafe testing conditions. As a result, at least 41 boilers and heaters could be out of compliance with the Regulations unless they get replaced or undergo a significant overhaul. This would result in excessive costs for the industry with little return, while impacting industrial productivity.

Actions

To address these concerns, we are developing amendments to simplify the testing options to be more affordable and easier for the industry to comply with rules. In March 2025, we published the proposed amendments to the Multi-Sector Air Pollutants Regulations. We are aiming to publish the final amendments in the short term.

Timeline

Short-term (by spring 2026)

Outcomes

Once the amendments are in force, regulated parties will be able to test existing equipment configurations without needing equipment overhaul, replacement or a redesign of equipment configurations. This will make it easier for the industry to comply with the regulations and save significant costs without an impact on productivity.

These changes would directly benefit the operators of at least 41 industrial boilers and heaters in Canada and would likely benefit as many as 218 of those regulated units based on the most recent data available.

14. Use streamlined non-regulatory instruments in the rubber product manufacturing sector

Summary

ECCC sometimes chooses voluntary instruments to manage environmental risks and to reduce regulatory burden on the industry where it makes sense. Examples of voluntary instruments include a code of practice for the chemicals, plastics and rubber sectors and proposed release guidelines for the rubber manufacturing sector.

Context

We use an internal process called the Instrument Choice Framework to help select the most suitable instrument or mix of instruments when determining how we will address policy issues and manage identified risks (see item 2 in this report to learn more). It helps ensure that we choose actions that can be effective, efficient, and appropriate for the specific risk.

Based on a comprehensive assessment completed using ECCC’s Instrument Choice Framework, a combination of two voluntary instruments was selected to address the risks related to substances used in the rubber product manufacturing sector that have been determined to be toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. In this specific case, we decided to use a code of practice and a set of release guidelines.

Actions

The code of practice and release guidelines were both designed using a sector-based approach to cover multiple substances often used in the sector. We developed these instruments with significant engagement from the industry to ensure acceptability and feasibility.

The final Code of Practice for the Environmentally Sound Management of Chemical Substances in the Chemicals, Plastics and Rubber Sectors was published in February 2024. The code of practice complements the release guidelines and sets out best management practices applicable to the use of the substances noted. The code of practice is directly incorporated into the proposed release guidelines.

The proposed Release Guidelines for Chemicals Used in the Rubber Product Manufacturing Sector were published in March 2025. The release guidelines include recommendations for concentration targets, sampling and reporting for two initial chemicals used in the manufacturing of rubber products, BENPAT and TMTD. Other substances could also be added in the future to support streamlined, consistent and predictable expectations for the management of chemicals in the rubber product manufacturing sector. We are aiming to publish the final release guidelines in the short term.

Timeline

Short-term (by spring 2026)

Outcomes

The streamlined sector-based approach will create consistency and make it more efficient for industry as they will be able to refer to one set of guidelines to cover multiple chemicals used in their sector. The voluntary instruments have been developed with significant engagement from the industry and are expected to represent low administrative burden compared to a regulatory approach. The voluntary approach can also reduce ECCC’s costs and make us more efficient in risk-managing these substances.

Proposed initiatives

15. Consolidate requirements for fuel quality in Canada

Summary

ECCC is proposing to consolidate five regulations that control the quality of fuels into a single regulation. This will make it easier and less costly for industry to comply with fuel requirements in Canada.

Context

Transportation is the one of the largest sources of smog-forming air pollutants in Canada. We currently have five fuel regulations that control the quality of gasoline and diesel fuel produced or imported for sale in Canada. They establish standards for lead, phosphorus, benzene and sulphur in gasoline, and sulphur in diesel fuel. These regulations help reduce emissions from vehicles and engines, which in turn improve air quality for Canadians.

The five regulations are:

• Benzene in Gasoline Regulations
• Fuels Information Regulations, No. 1
• Gasoline Regulations
• Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations
• Sulphur in Gasoline Regulations

We have identified an opportunity to consolidate all five fuel regulations to reduce regulatory burden on industry and government. In preliminary discussions, we learned that industry is supportive of consolidating the regulations and would like to be engaged further on this initiative.

Actions

We plan to review these fuel regulations and explore options to consolidate them. We intend to remove redundant, inconsistent, unnecessary and out-of-date requirements by replacing them with a single set of provisions, exemptions, exclusions, definitions, and reporting requirements.

We plan to begin engagement with regulated parties and stakeholders in fall 2025. The action to consolidate these regulations and streamline requirements is expected to take several years to complete. We also plan to leverage the new ECCC Regulatory Services Platform (see item 8 in this report to learn more) to develop an electronic reporting system as part of this initiative. 

In addition, we will consider a permanent trading system or other flexibilities for compliance with the sulphur in gasoline concentration limits. We will also consider provisions to comply with Canada’s international obligations in marine shipping.  

Timeline

Longer term (beyond the next two years)

Outcomes

We expect that this consolidation will increase efficiency for both industry and government. We will be able to remove duplicate and inconsistent reporting requirements, simplify provisions in the regulations, and consolidate reporting forms. These actions will reduce administrative burden for industry, as they will be able to fill fewer reporting forms, submit data in a more streamlined manner, and have more aligned deadlines. It will become easier and less costly to comply with regulations.

At the same time, these efforts will maintain fuel quality standards and maintain the protection of air quality for Canadians.

16. Reduce burden under the Environmental Emergency Regulations

Summary

ECCC is reviewing the Environmental Emergency Regulations and exploring options to reduce administrative burden and duplication for regulated parties regarding reporting, environmental emergency plans, propane exclusions, and complex flammable mixtures.

Context

The Environmental Emergency Regulations, 2019 protect the environment by requiring businesses to plan for and manage environmental emergencies. The Regulations help reduce the frequency and severity of accidental releases of hazardous substances into the environment.

We have reviewed the Regulations to determine how effective they are in meeting their objectives. In addition, industry, academia and non-governmental organizations have expressed concerns with the Regulations in the following areas:

• lack of relief for propane use at homes, farms, outfitters, and small applications where the risk is more limited
• duplicate requirements for environmental emergency plans
• difficulties in reporting complex flammable mixtures, and
• data submission requirements

Our goal is to minimize regulatory burden, while still offering the same level of protection for the environment and the health and safety of Canadians.

Actions

Regarding propane use: We are looking to gather scientific evidence to determine if it is possible to reduce requirements under the Regulations without significantly increasing risks to Canadians and to the environment. We have received recommendations from key stakeholders and will consider this information as we explore options for possible amendments.

Regarding duplicate requirements for environmental emergency plans: Regulated parties have said that there are duplicate requirements for environmental emergency plans between the Environmental Emergency Regulations, Canada Energy Regulator, Transport Canada, and the Alberta Energy Regulator. The Regulations allow for certain exclusions for plans submitted to Transport Canada and the Canada Energy Regulator. The Regulations also allow regulated parties the flexibility to use plans developed under provincial or territorial authorities if the plans meet requirements. We are exploring options to further simplify requirements and reduce duplication.

Regarding complex flammable mixtures: Key stakeholders have expressed concerns that the Regulations require the oil and gas industry to report individual chemical substances of complex flammable mixtures. This can create confusion when first responders access such data. To help address this issue, we have developed class-based grouping for gas and liquid flammables that aligns with the Globally Harmonized System, an internationally recognized classification system. Amendments to the Regulations are required to make this change.

Regarding the requirement to submit a notice under Schedule 3: Regulated parties are currently required to submit several notices under Schedules 2, 3, and 4 of the Regulations. While notices under Schedules 2 and 4 remain important, the notice under Schedule 3 serves a limited purpose and we are considering removing it.

ECCC will be looking to advance proposed amendments to the Regulations that address these issues over the next two to three years.

Timeline

Longer term (beyond the next two years)

Outcomes

Once the amendments that address these issues are in force, it is expected that the amended Regulations would:

• provide exemptions to the Regulations for a number of propane facilities
• further reduce duplication in requirements for environmental emergency plans
• regarding complex flammable mixtures:
  • reduce the burden to report them
  • allow first responders to access more useful data and information when responding to chemical accidents
  • ensure that any new flammable substances or mixtures that enter the Canadian market are automatically captured by the Regulations and no longer need to undergo a separate Canadian risk assessment
• remove the need to submit a notice under Schedule 3 for a few thousand facilities in Canada

These changes would reduce administrative burden, save costs, and make the industry more competitive.

17. Modernize the New Substances Notification Regulations (Organisms)and the New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers) (co-led by Health Canada)

Summary

ECCC is working with Health Canada to modernize new substances notification regulations for organisms and for chemicals and polymers to reduce inefficiencies, increase flexibility and provide clearer guidance to industry.

Context

In Canada, industry needs to follow regulatory requirements to bring new substances into the Canadian marketplace. These new substances include chemicals, polymers and genetically modified or other living organisms.

However, some of these requirements do not reflect recent advances in science and technology. This can create barriers for innovation.

Action

Together with Health Canada, ECCC plans to engage with industry to amend the New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers) and the New Substances Notification Regulations (Organisms). Proposed amendments would help reduce barriers to entry into the Canadian market by addressing inefficiencies, and better capture advances in science and technology.

Timeline

Longer term (beyond the next two years)

Outcomes

Amending the regulations would reduce regulatory burden by streamlining notification requirements and would provide more timely access to safe chemicals, polymers and products of biotechnology. The proposed amendments would also include increased flexibility to allow alternatives to animal testing for new substances.

18. Improve reporting and guidance under the Chromium Electroplating, Chromium Anodizing and Reverse Etching Regulations

Summary

ECCC is working on improving reporting tools and guidance for the Chromium Electroplating, Chromium Anodizing and Reverse Etching Regulations. This will make it easier for regulated parties to comply with the Regulations and reduce their administrative burden. 

Context

The 2009 Chromium Electroplating, Chromium Anodizing and Reverse Etching Regulations aim to control air emissions of hexavalent chromium from facilities that work on chromium electroplating, chromium anodizing and reverse etching.

Many of the regulated parties are small business owners. They face challenges to comply with the Regulations because of the technical complexity and the lack of a reporting system. Also, many regulated parties provide hand-written information to ECCC which then needs manual data entry. This has the potential to create human errors and may lead to additional follow-ups with ECCC to clarify or correct information.

Currently, the Regulations only allow one control method to comply with requirements. This is not consistent with industry practice and potentially offers less protection for the environment and human health.

Actions

We are working on proposed amendments to the Regulations to address outdated requirements and align them with industry practice to allow the use of more than one control method. The proposed amendments will also clarify the language on representative operative conditions and dilution air to address concerns expressed by industry. We are aiming to publish a discussion document on the proposed amendments in 2026.

Regarding the reporting system, we have developed and shared reporting templates with regulated parties, encouraging them to provide data in Excel format. This is expected to reduce administrative burden for regulated parties and also make us more efficient in our work. We will continue to make improvements on how things are reported. In addition, we are exploring options to leverage ECCC’s new Regulatory Services Platform (see item 8 in this report to learn more) to further reduce the time, cost, and effort required to submit data and information under the Regulations.

Finally, we have developed guidance documents to clarify certain areas of the Regulations to make it easier for regulated parties to understand the rules. We will continue to develop more guidance in the future to support understanding and compliance by regulated parties (for example, on how to account for dilution air).

Timeline

Longer term (beyond the next two years)

Outcomes

These changes will help streamline the reporting process, making reporting easier for regulated parties and saving them time and effort. Once the proposed amendments are finalized, the regulated parties will be able to use more than one control method to comply with the regulations. Clarifying the regulatory language will also address some of the concerns that industry has raised. Finally, these changes will make ECCC more efficient in administering the Regulations.

19. Consolidate requirements for lead wheel weights

Summary

ECCC is planning to repeal the Prohibition of the Manufacture and Importation of Wheel Weights Containing Lead Regulations and integrate them into the Certain Products Containing Toxic Substances Regulations. We will also update and clarify requirements to reduce burden for industry.

Context

Lead is a toxic metal that can harm the environment and human health. The 2023 Prohibition of the Manufacture and Importation of Wheel Weights Containing Lead Regulations (Lead Wheel Weights Regulations) prohibit certain products containing lead. The Regulations help protect the environment and human health from lead.

In 2025, ECCC published the Certain Products Containing Toxic Substances Regulations (CPCTS Regulations). The CPCTS Regulations have a flexible framework to regulate toxic substances in specific product categories and can be expanded and adapted over time.

This presents an opportunity for ECCC to integrate the Lead Wheel Weights Regulations into the 2025 CPCTS Regulations. Potential benefits include:

• reducing the total number of regulations that industry must follow
• reducing administrative burden
• clarifying certain provisions of the lead regulations
• ensuring there is a level playing field in the Canadian market

Actions

ECCC plans to repeal the Lead Wheel Weights Regulations and integrate updated requirements related to lead wheel weights into CPCTS Regulations by 2028.

Timeline

Longer term (beyond the next two years)

Outcomes

This action would help clarify regulatory requirements and reduce administrative burden for the industry. By maintaining a regulatory approach, we will also help ensure a level playing field across industry, and prevent backsliding based on the experience of other jurisdictions that failed to transition to lead-free weights due to the absence of a prohibition. It will also maintain the environmental protections of the existing regulation. Finally, this action would increase efficiencies for ECCC by reducing the number of separate regulations we administer that could address the same risks.

20. Improve how we protect critical habitat

Summary

ECCC is proposing to improve the way we protect the critical habitat of species at risk by developing new Critical Habitat Protection regulations. This initiative would allow more timely conservation efforts, lead to fewer separate regulations, increase efficiency, and reduce administrative burden and costs.

Context

The Species at Risk Act requires the government to protect critical habitat of threatened or endangered species on federal lands. Currently, for each individual species, ECCC needs to create a protection order (which are regulations made under section 58 of the Act) to protect the species’ critical habitat.

The current process is inefficient, costly, and time-consuming. We have experienced challenges in putting protection orders in place within the 180-day statutory deadline. We currently have a backlog of 98 species that require protection orders.

Actions

We plan to take a more efficient approach to protecting the critical habitat of these species on federal lands. We are working to develop new Critical Habitat Protection regulations to include multiple endangered or threatened species, except for migratory birds not on federal lands. The new regulations would automatically protect critical habitat on federal lands once it is identified and published in recovery strategies.

We plan to engage partners and stakeholders throughout the development of the new regulations. This work is expected to take two years or more to complete.

Timeline

Longer term (beyond the next two years)

Outcomes

We expect that the new Critical Habitat Protection regulations will significantly reduce the number of protection orders (regulations) under the Species at Risk Act. This will allow us to act faster to protect critical habitat and address the backlog of protection orders, ensuring effective regulatory protections for these species.

The regulatory regime will be more efficient, save costs, and require fewer consultations, which in turn reduces administrative burden on Indigenous rightsholders as well as on partners and stakeholders.

Theme: regulatory effectiveness

Initiatives under this theme balance regulatory responsibilities with level of risk and support environmental protection, innovation, and economic growth.

Initiatives actively underway

21. Repeal the Secondary Lead Smelter Regulations that are no longer relevant

Summary

ECCC is repealing the Secondary Lead Smelter Release Regulations that are no longer relevant.

Context

In the 1970s and 1980s, a major concern in Canada was the release of lead into the environment from secondary lead smelters. At the time, there were up to 51 such facilities in Canada. The provinces and municipalities that had these facilities did not have regulations to control their lead emissions. This is why the federal government developed the Secondary Lead Smelter Release Regulations in 1976. The Regulations have helped protect the environment and human health by reducing concentrations of lead and particulate matter emissions.

However, the Regulations are no longer relevant today. There are six remaining secondary lead smelter facilities in Canada. These facilities are now subject to provincial regulations and municipal by-laws that are as stringent or more stringent than the federal regulations. Instead of providing necessary protections, the federal regulations now pose unnecessary administrative burden on these companies.

Actions

In November 2023, ECCC published a draft notice to repeal the Secondary Lead Smelter Release Regulations in Canada Gazette, Part I. We are aiming to complete the repeal of these regulations.

Timeline

Short-term (by spring 2026)

Outcomes

This action would remove duplication between the federal regulations and regulatory rules in other jurisdictions. The remaining six facilities will continue to be subject to provincial regulations and municipal by-laws.

22. Increase flexibility under the PCB Regulations

Summary

ECCC is amending the PCB Regulations to give regulated parties the flexibility to meet regulatory requirements for the use and storage of equipment containing PCB (Polychlorinated biphenyls). This will address unique circumstances that were not foreseen when the Regulations came into force.

Context

PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls) are a group of chemicals that can be harmful to human and animal health. The PCB Regulations set deadlines for regulated parties to end their use of equipment that contains PCBs. The Regulations also limit how long PCBs can be stored prior to destruction.

Some regulated parties have faced challenges in meeting these deadlines. As a result, we have identified the need to provide flexibility in unique circumstances that were not foreseen when the Regulations came into force.

Actions

ECCC published proposed amendments to the PCB Regulations in December 2023. These amendments will add deferrals that will allow facilities to continue using certain PCB-containing equipment beyond the current deadline of December 2025.

Timeline

Short-term (by spring 2026)

Outcomes

These amendments are expected to come into force in December 2025 and will continue to provide flexibility as long as conditions are met. Facilities that could benefit from this deferral may include nuclear facilities, the Department of National Defence, museums, and electrical facilities. These amendments will allow regulated parties to defer costs of replacing or modifying the equipment to a future date.

Because it is still prohibited to release PCBs into the environment, these amendments are not expected to impact the environment or human health.

23. Implement the Disposal at sea agreement with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation

Summary

ECCC and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation entered into a co-management agreement for the Disposal at Sea Program in Burrard Inlet, grounded in the recognition of rights, reconciliation and mutual stewardship. This partnership has strengthened trust, improved clarity in processes and decision making, and resulted in more predictable permitting processes for project proponents. Applying both Indigenous and Western knowledge to the management of the Point Grey site has resulted in improvements that benefit both nations.

Context

The federal government regulates the disposal of substances into the ocean to prevent pollution and protect marine ecosystems. Under the Disposal at Sea Program, ECCC reviews and issues permits for the deposit of certain materials into designated marine disposal sites.

Many applications involve large volumes of dredged material proposed for disposal at the nearby Point Grey site, which is within the traditional territory of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Burrard Inlet holds deep cultural, ecological, and spiritual significance for the Nation, whose creation story begins in the Inlet; the first Tsleil-Waututh grandmother was created from the sediment.

Recognizing the Nation’s stewardship responsibilities and rights, ECCC sought a more respectful and collaborative approach to managing disposal activities in these waters.

Actions

ECCC and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation signed an agreement to jointly manage the Disposal at Sea permitting process, scientific review, and environmental monitoring in Burrard Inlet. This agreement affirms the Nation’s role as a co-governor and long-standing steward of the territory since time out of mind and commits both parties to developing shared recommendations to the Minister grounded in mutual respect and recognition of rights and responsibilities.

The partnership enables both governments to enact their jurisdiction collaboratively and reduces the need for repeated consultations on individual permits. ECCC and Tsleil-Waututh Nation have co-developed a site management plan and a novel joint decision-making process. Applications that raise concerns for the Nation are flagged for immediate joint review, while quarterly reviews and ongoing communication ensure a smooth, collaborative process.

Timeline

Ongoing

Outcomes

This reconciliation-based partnership has led to a more efficient and predictable permitting process, while upholding the Crown’s legal duty to consult. It has reduced regulatory uncertainty for project proponents and strengthened trust in the Disposal at Sea Program. The efficiencies gained reflect the deeper relationship and shared commitment to protecting the health of Burrard Inlet.

24. Divert ocean waste materials towards reuse projects

Summary

ECCC is working to promote the reuse of substances, such as dredged sediments, that are currently intended for disposal at sea. Proponents would no longer need to apply for the Disposal at sea permit under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 if materials go toward reuse projects. This would save time and costs for proponents, support innovative solutions, reduce ocean pollution, bring major benefits to the environment, economy and communities, and enhance Canada’s climate change adaptation.

Context

Every year in Canada, millions of tons of dredged sediment and other waste materials are disposed into the sea, with a permit under the Disposal at Sea program.

There are opportunities to divert these materials from disposal to reuse. For example, they can be used to rebuild beaches, create or restore habitats, or build infrastructure that protects communities from flooding. Reusing materials that would otherwise be deposited into the sea helps to reduce marine pollution, foster a growing sustainable economy, and enhance our adaptation to climate change.

This would also reduce administrative burden and save costs for project proponents, as they would no longer need to apply for a Disposal at Sea permit.

Actions

ECCC is working on a new policy framework to support and promote the reuse of these materials.

We plan to develop a streamlined review and approval process for project proponents so that they receive clear information and directions. We will provide clarity to proponents on the need for a Disposal at sea permit. We may also provide advice on any mitigation measures for their projects to minimize environmental harm and maximize the benefits.

Timeline

Longer term (beyond the next two years)

Outcomes

When project proponents redirect their waste materials toward reuse projects, they can save time and money by not having to apply for the Disposal at Sea permits under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.

Fewer materials will be disposed into our oceans, leading to less ocean pollution and reducing impacts on marine ecosystems and species. This will also reduce the need and cost for long-term monitoring at disposal at sea sites. Local communities may benefit from various infrastructure projects that reuse these materials. Finally, the reuse of materials fosters a growing sustainable economy in Canada and enhances our adaptation to climate change. 

Proposed initiatives

25. Review the Multi-Sector Air Pollutants Regulations to implement base-level industrial emission requirements

Summary

ECCC is currently working to review parts of the Multi-Sector Air Pollutants Regulations to reduce air pollution emissions while reducing burden and costs for industry.

Context

Fossil fuel combustion is the largest source of pollutants that lead to acid rain and smog. In 2012, the federal government committed to work with provinces and territories through the Air Quality Management System to reduce air pollution and improve air quality in Canada. This work includes the co-development of base-level industrial emission requirements that apply major industrial sectors as well as four types of equipment used across Canada. These requirements are intended to ensure that major industries in Canada meet a consistent base level performance of reducing air pollution.

The federal government is responsible for establishing these requirements in federal instruments, such as regulations and non-regulatory instruments. The Multi-Sector Air Pollutants Regulations were published in 2016 and put in place base-level industrial emissions requirements for equipment types as well as for the cement sector.

The Regulations take a multi-sector and multi-pollutant approach that recognizes provincial and territorial actions to minimize duplication and reduce burden on industry. The Regulations were also designed to facilitate the addition of new pollutants or sectors as well as update emission requirements rather than developing new regulations for these purposes.

Actions

We are currently working to review parts of the Regulations to address issues that were not foreseen at the time of publishing, clarify requirements, provide flexibility to industry and make incremental improvements.

Over the next two years, we will consult stakeholders on the review and development of proposed regulatory amendments. Any proposed amendments following the review would aim to address the issues raised while continuing to contribute to reducing air pollution emissions.

Timeline

Longer term (beyond the next two years)

Outcomes

Amendments made as a result of the review are expected to increase clarity, streamline requirements, provide flexibility to industry and make it easier for them to comply with the Regulations, significantly reducing burden and cost. Potential updates to further reduce air pollution from sectors while minimizing economic impacts may also be considered.

The Regulations will continue to create consistency and a level playing field for industry, as the same minimum requirements will apply regardless of where they are located in Canada.

These Regulations have reduced air emissions from major industrial sectors in Canada and will continue to improve air quality for Canadians.

26. Modernize the Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations to support new economic activities

Summary

ECCC is modernizing the Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations to support new economic activities and reduce administrative burden and costs.

Context

The Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations, pursuant to the Fisheries Act, came into force in 1992.The Regulations limit the deposit of deleterious (harmful) substances from pulp and paper mills into Canadian waters that would otherwise not be allowed under the Fisheries Act’s pollution prevention provisions. This helps to manage threats to fish, fish habitat, and to human health from fish consumption.

Over time, some methods in the Regulations have become outdated. In addition, the industry is diversifying to produce new, non-traditional products or “bio-products”, which are not captured by the current Regulations.

Actions

ECCC is modernizing the Regulations to:

• widen the scope to support more economic opportunities such as non-traditional products  
• streamline requirements
• update analytical methods
• introduce new provisions that allow us to risk manage future substances of concern in pulp and paper mill effluent under one regulation

ECCC is working toward the publication of proposed modernized regulations, which is expected to take more than two years to complete.

Timeline

Longer term (beyond the next two years)

Outcomes

These modernization efforts will support the pulp and paper industry to innovate and seek new economic opportunities, such as developing non-traditional products. They will reduce administrative burden and costs to the industry by streamlining requirements and allowing mills to use analytical methods that cost them less. ECCC will also consider opportunities to enhance environmental protections, including incentivizing energy and waste efficiency.

27. Amend the Spill Treating Agents Regulations to permit the use of new substances to treat oil spills

Summary

ECCC is proposing to amend the Regulations Establishing a List of Spill Treating Agents to allow the use of new spill-treating agents that can be used to treat oil spills from offshore petroleum exploration and production activities.

Context

The Regulations Establishing a List of Spill-treating Agents (Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act) allow the use of spill-treating agents to treat oil spills. Spill-treating agents include many types of products that change the behaviour of spilled oil. These help clean up after oil spill incidents by helping to disperse and biodegrade the oil in the environment.

Only the spill-treating agents listed in the Regulations can be authorized for use and only where it is determined that doing so would have a net benefit to the environment. The current spill-treating agents listed in the Regulations are no longer available in the Canadian market, leaving a significant gap in authorized products to help responders during an oil spill.

Actions

ECCC is exploring options to amend the Regulations to increase their effectiveness by allowing the use of new spill treating agents to treat oil spills from offshore petroleum exploration and production activities.

We have assessed some spill-treating agents and will only consider allowing those that are:

• effective in treating oil spills, and
• have a low risk of environmental toxicity when used properly

ECCC intends to engage with partners, stakeholders and the public by 2026, and develop amendments based on the feedback we receive.

Timeline

Longer term (beyond the next two years)

Outcomes

The proposed amendments would increase the effectiveness of these Regulations by allowing the responsible energy regulators to authorize additional spill-treating agents to respond to future oil spills. This will help treat oil spills more effectively and lead to a healthier marine environment.

Theme: regulatory alignment

Initiatives under this theme improve our alignment with domestic and international partners to facilitate trade and reduce duplicative or conflicting requirements.

Recently completed initiatives

28. Phase out mercury-containing lamps in Canada

Summary

ECCC has recently amended the Products Containing Mercury Regulations to gradually phase out the most common types of mercury-containing lamps in Canada. This will help us better protect human health and the environment from mercury, while also aligning our rules with international jurisdictions.

Context

Mercury is a naturally occurring toxic metal that has broad uses in everyday objects. There are global efforts to phase-out mercury under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a global treaty that protects human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury.

In 2025, ECCC published the Products Containing Mercury Regulations to prohibit the import and manufacture of all products containing mercury, with some exemptions. This is part of the Government of Canada’s commitment reduce risks from mercury-containing products to human health and the environment.

To limit burden and to create a level playing field, the Regulations were designed to ban almost every mercury-containing product. Some specific exemptions are included in the Regulations for essential products that did not have viable alternatives (either due to technology or costs). Examples of these exemptions include dental amalgam, certain lamps, and scientific instruments.

Actions

In 2024, we amended the Regulations to fulfill Canada’s international commitments under the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The amendments came into force in June 2025 and will gradually phase out the most common types of mercury-containing lamps. These changes support Canada’s National Strategy for Lamps Containing Mercury and accelerate a transition toward mercury-free products.

Timeline

Completed

Outcomes

The recent amendments to the Regulations further aligned our rules with other international jurisdictions, including the United States and the European Union. This makes it easier to do business in different countries by creating consistent rules with key trading partners.

By prohibiting certain mercury-containing lamps in Canada, we also help to reduce the risk of mercury releases into the environment and reduce risks of harming human health. The move to a prohibition will also reduce future reporting requirements for industry as they phase-out their use of mercury-containing lamps. A co-benefit of the phase-out is that it encourages industry to transition from fluorescent lamps to LED lamps, which are more energy efficient, cost-effective and longer lasting.

29. Consolidate regulations for the electricity sector through a phased approach

Summary

ECCC is implementing a phased approach to consolidate all three regulations for the electricity sector into the Clean Electricity Regulations.

Context

In Canada, there are currently three federal regulations that govern the electricity sector under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. Each of the regulations has a unique approach to how they address emissions. They were designed in an integrated way to achieve net zero emissions in the electricity sector by 2050.

The three regulations are:

• Reduction of Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Coal-fired Generation of Electricity Regulations (2012, later amended in 2018) to phase out unabated coal by 2030
• Regulations Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Natural Gas-fired Generation of Electricity (2018), which set efficiency standards for new natural gas power generation, and
• Clean Electricity Regulations (2024), which set annual emissions limits on carbon dioxide pollution from almost all electricity generation that use fossil fuels starting in 2035 and achieving a net zero grid by 2050

Given that ECCC’s goal is to establish one regulation for the entire electricity sector by 2050, there are opportunities to reduce administrative burden for regulated parties, such as through the use of equivalency agreements.

Actions

Based on feedback from key interested parties, we developed a phased approach to first regulate the most polluting electricity generation—coal followed by unabated natural gas. We will then eventually consolidate emissions standards for all fossil-fuel electricity generation into the Clean Electricity Regulations by 2050. During this transition period (from 2025 to 2050), a regulated entity is subject to only one emission standard under one of these three federal regulations in the electricity sector.

Starting from 2035, the annual emissions limit for electricity generation in the Clean Electricity Regulations will come into force. This will repeal the Reduction of Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Coal-fired Generation of Electricity Regulations.

In 2050, all covered electricity generation will be required to comply with the annual emissions limit in the Clean Electricity Regulations. This will repeal the Regulations Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Natural Gas-fired Generation of Electricity.

Timeline

Completed

Outcomes

This phased approach will reduce the number of regulations for the electricity sector, while helping Canada achieve a net-zero electricity grid and move towards a net-zero economy by 2050.

If there is duplication between federal regulations and provincial/territorial regulations, we remain open to enter into agreements with the provinces or territories to remove the duplication and reduce administrative burden for the sector.

Proposed initiatives

30. Simplify export control notification requirements for substances

Summary

ECCC is proposing to amend the Export of Substances on the Export Control List Regulations to simplify export control notification requirements. This is expected to reduce burden and costs for exporters and make businesses and international trade more competitive.

Context

The Export of Substances on the Export Control List Regulations work in conjunction with the Export Control List found in the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 to control the export of certain chemical substances and pesticides. They help fulfill Canada’s obligations under international agreements for the sound management of these substances.

When new substances are added to the Export Control List, they are automatically subject to the Regulations and become controlled for export under the Act. To export substances that are on the Export Control List, the Act requires exporters to provide prior notification of the proposed export in accordance with the Regulations. There are no exemptions to this requirement, even when an export would not be subject to any requirements under international agreements.

Stakeholders from the automotive, aerospace, and chemical manufacturing sectors have expressed concerns about the burden of notifying before every export and the amount of information required in these notifications. They have requested a simpler process for situations where their exports are not subject to international obligations. 

Actions

ECCC has completed a review of the Regulations and held consultations with Canadian exporters to identify issues, better understand current burden, and to propose solutions to these issues. Industry and Indigenous partners have expressed their support of proposals that reduce administrative burden and improve the clarity and readability of the Regulations.

We propose to amend the Regulations and modify the notification requirements to:

• shift to annual notifications, and
• simplify the notification process and reduce the amount of information required for exports not subject to international obligations

Timeline

Longer term (beyond the next two years)

Outcomes

We expect that these proposed changes will allow exporters to:

• simplify their paperwork
• reduce the frequency of their notifications
• spend less time and effort tracking compliance
• proceed with exports more quickly (no longer need to wait 7 to 15 days before each export)

These changes will reduce administrative burden, save costs, and make businesses more efficient and competitive in international trade.

They will also allow the government to save costs and work more efficiently while continuing to protect the environment and human health and fulfill international obligations.

31. Align rules with certain U.S. States on VOC concentration limits for architectural coatings

Summary

ECCC is proposing to amend the Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Concentration Limits for Architectural Coatings Regulations to better align them with the latest rules in certain U.S. states. This will make it easier for businesses to market their products in both countries and further improve air quality for Canadians.

Context

The Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Concentration Limits for Architectural Coatings Regulations were published in 2009. At the time of publication, the Regulations were based on the regulatory requirements set by the Ozone Transport Commission (a multi-state organization comprised of 13 states in north-east United States). However, as time passed, regulatory limits in a number of U.S. states have become more stringent. 

We completed a review of the Regulations in 2023 and have identified ways to increase clarity and improve administration in some areas. The review also highlighted an opportunity to further reduce VOC emissions and improve air quality, by aligning with the updated rules in leading U.S. states.

Actions

In July 2022, the Government of Canada publicly committed to amending these Regulations in the Notice of intent to renew the Federal agenda on the reduction of emissions of volatile organic compounds from consumer and commercial products. ECCC also consulted with regulated parties between 2022 and 2023.

ECCC is currently considering amending the Regulations to align the Canadian rules with the latest rule changes in leading U.S. states.

Timeline

Medium-term (within the next two years)

Outcomes

Once the amendments are finalized, it will be easier for companies to market their products in both Canada and parts of the United States. This will provide greater economic opportunities for industry. Reducing VOC emission limits will also help improve air quality for Canadians. Finally, these amendments will help provide clarification and improve administration of the Regulations without introducing unnecessary costs or administrative burden for industry.

Contact us

If you have questions regarding the Environment and Climate Change Canada: Red Tape Reduction Plan and Progress Report 2025, please contact us:

By mail:

Regulatory Innovation and Management Systems,
Environment and Climate Change Canada,
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H3

By email:

ExamensReglementaires-RegulatoryReviews@ec.gc.ca