The National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) reporting deadline has been changed from June 1st to July 31st, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The NPRI reporting program is managed by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and tracks data on the amount of pollutants released from Canadian industrial facilities into the environment. All levels of government, companies, organizations, researchers, and citizens can use the data to help make informed decisions on protecting the environment and developing pollution management plans.
WHO NEEDS TO REPORT?
NPRI reporting is mandatory under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.
Facilities may need to report if they meet at least one of the following conditions:
- the facility’s employees work more than 20,000 hours (about 10 full-time employees) per year
- specific activities (such as incineration, wood preservation, wastewater treatment or fuel combustion) take place at the facility
- the facility manufactures, processes, uses or releases NPRI substances above reporting thresholds
Owners and operators of facilities that meet the above requirements are required to submit an NPRI report every year.
More information is available in the Environment Canada Guide for reporting to the NPRI.
WHAT INFORMATION MAKES UP A REPORT?
NPRI reports are submitted through Environment Canada’s Single Window Information Manager (SWIM), and include the following:
- Facility information, such as location, parent companies, contact information
- Operating information such as applicable environmental permits, hours of operation, number of employees, activities conducted
- Substance information, consisting of the quantity that was released to the environment, disposed, or recycled, for each substance which was manufactured, processed, or used at the facility over the applicable reporting threshold
- Pollution prevention information, including any activities conducted to reduce environmental impact during the reporting year
WHEN IS THE REPORTING DEADLINE?
Annually all NPRI Reports are due June 1st of every year, however due to COVID-19, the 2019 calendar year reporting deadline has been extended to July 31st, 2020 from its original June 1st deadline.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
The NPRI Reporting framework is complex; an assessment of your facility’s operations is needed to determine whether the reporting thresholds are met. Our team of trained professionals stay up to date on current reporting regulations and requirements to ensure that we assist you efficiently in assessing your operations and collect the appropriate data required to complete your submission.
For more information about NPRI reporting and how it affects you, please reach out to our office.