Get Ahead on EPR: How to Prepare Your Packaging Data for 2026

As the dust settles from the latest round of Canadian Packaging and Printed Paper EPR reporting, now is the time to look ahead. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules are tightening, more provinces are coming online, and reporting requirements are getting more detailed each year. And with the Federal Plastics Registry deadline on the horizon (yes, that’s due in September!), the smart move is to start prepping your packaging data now.

Here’s how to prepare for the 2026 packaging EPR compliance crunch:

1. Start Supplier Outreach Early

Getting complete and accurate packaging data starts with your suppliers. Many producers find themselves stuck at the same point every year: missing weights, unclear resin types, or no idea whether a component is mono- or multi-material. Sound familiar? Now is the time to build a system that works. Here’s what that could look like:

• Collecting Key Data: Request packaging details such as component type, packaging level, material/resin category, weight, colour, recycled content %, and compostability (with certification if applicable).

• Engaging Suppliers: Set clear expectations, provide templates, and maintain open communication to support accurate submissions.

• Ensuring Full Coverage: Capture data across all relevant SKUs - not just top sellers.

• Centralizing the Data: Compile everything into a validated master file for easy access, internal analysis, and reporting.

2. Check Your Material Category Assignments

Assigning the right material categories isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. Misclassification can lead to incorrect fees, missed exemptions, or compliance issues during audits - and it gets even more complex when you're juggling multiple reporting systems. You can:

• Review current definitions from your PRO or provincial authority and compare them against provincial EPR reporting requirements.

• Reassess complex packaging components, like labels, closures, and anything multi-material that might span multiple categories.

• Update internal systems to reflect any recent changes in category definitions or fee modulation criteria.

• Translate provincial data into federal category formats if you plan to repurpose it for the Plastics Registry. The two systems are different, so reuse requires extra care.

  
  

If you're unsure what category something falls under, don't wait until the last minute—now’s the time to dig in or ask for support.

3. Understand Exemptions (and Know When They Don’t Apply)

Not all packaging is created equal - exemption rules and material categories vary between provinces and programs, and what was true this year might change next. Keep a close eye on:

• Updates from each provincial EPR program - some announce changes annually, while others roll them out mid-cycle.

• Newly regulated jurisdictions like Alberta and Yukon, where rules are still being phased in and subject to clarification.

• Federal guidance, especially from the Federal Plastics Registry, which may not align with provincial exemptions or offer the same thresholds.

  
  

4. Don’t Forget the Federal Plastics Registry

Even if you're nailing your provincial EPR obligations, the Federal Plastics Registry adds a new layer of complexity. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) requires all obligated producers to submit their first report by September 29, 2025. This includes:

• Quantifying plastic packaging placed on the Canadian market, broken down by format and resin type.

• Assigning items to one of 21 plastic categories, many of which are more granular than the typical EPR reporting framework.

• Reconciling this data with existing systems, so that internal tracking and external reporting stay aligned.

  
  

The registry isn't about fees - yet - but it’s about transparency, and eventually, performance. Producers that invest in accurate, forward-compatible data now will be in a much stronger position as reporting requirements - and expectations - continue to evolve.

A Quick Prep Checklist

✅ Start supplier outreach for missing packaging specs

✅ Review and clean up your material category assignments

✅ Double-check what’s exempt - and what’s not

✅ Prep now for the Federal Plastics Registry deadline in September

What’s Happening Elsewhere?

Canada isn’t the only place where EPR is ramping up - producers operating internationally will want to keep an eye on what’s happening in other key markets:

United States: States like California, Oregon, Colorado, and Minnesota are actively rolling out packaging EPR programs, with more states drafting legislation. Each state has its own rules and timelines, but one theme is consistent: producers will need better data and clearer packaging visibility to stay compliant. If you're selling into multiple states, that patchwork can get complicated fast - so early planning is key.

United Kingdom: The UK is beginning to dip its toes into fee modulation with the introduction of the Recycling Assessment Methodology (RAM). While still in its early stages, RAM marks the first time packaging recyclability is being used to directly influence fee calculations. The takeaway? Material choices and design decisions are starting to carry real consequences in regulatory reporting - and that trend is only gaining momentum.

The Bottom Line

Good data is the foundation of good compliance. By investing time now - before reporting season ramps up again - you can reduce errors, avoid surprises, and even lower your EPR costs. If you’re unsure where to start, Greenstreets can help. From supplier outreach to data validation and methodology reviews, we’re here to make next year’s reporting a whole lot easier.