Service Standard and Performance Target for permits under the Export and Import of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Material Regulations (EIHWHRMR)

Quality and predictability of service are legitimate expectations of Canadians when interacting with the Government of Canada. A public commitment to a measureable level of performance that clients can expect under normal circumstances (i.e., regular day-to-day operations) is referred to as a service standard.

Service standards are integral to good client service and are important for effective management of performance. They help to clarify expectations (both internally and externally), drive improvement to services being provided and contribute to results-based management.

A high volume of regulatory authorizations (in the form of permits) are issued annually by Environment Canada under the Export and Import of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Material Regulations (EIHWHRMR). Under these Regulations, the following service standards and performance indicators have been set.

Service Standard

The administrative review process will be completed within 60 days for shipments of wastes or materials to or from the United States, and materials to or from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.

Performance Target

The target for achieving this standard is set at 70%.

Certain factors impact the ability to meet the listed service standard. Notifications submitted to Environment Canada are not always complete or accurate, thus requiring that clarifications or additional information be submitted. In addition, consent required from other parties prior to issuing a permit (e.g., foreign states, Canadian provinces) sometimes takes longer than the expected 30 days.

Performance Information

Annual service performance will be measured beginning with the 2013–2014 fiscal year (April 1, 2013–March 31, 2014), and will be published no later than June 1, 2014.

Applying for an Export, Import or Transit Permit for Hazardous Waste or Hazardous Recyclable Material

Notification is the process by which exporters, importers, and persons wishing to convey in transit notify the Minister of the Environment of their intention to send or receive international shipments of hazardous wastes or hazardous recyclable materials. It serves as the application for a permit, without which no shipment can proceed.

The information requirements that must be included in the notification are outlined in section 8 of the EIHWHRMR. Although the Regulations do not prescribe the completion of a specific form, the Waste Reduction and Management Division (WRMD) has developed an administrative notice form to facilitate the notification process for regulatees.

 

Summary of Notification Information Requirements:

The information requirements for notification are outlined in section 8 of the Regulations. They include:

  • the name, registration number, civic and mailing addresses, email address, and contact information (name, telephone number, and fax number) of the
    • Canadian exporter and foreign receiver,
    • Canadian importer and foreign exporter,
    • exporter and importer or foreign exporter and foreign receiver, in the case of a transit, and
    • authorized carriers;
  • shipment details, including dates, number of shipments and all modes of transport (road, rail, marine or air) that will be used;
  • customs details, including the ports of entry or exit, or the customs offices, if applicable;
  • the classification of the hazardous waste or hazardous recyclable material; see the Guide to Classification;
  • information on all authorized facilities where the final disposal or recycling will take place (formerly referred to as the “final destination”).

In addition to the above information requirements, the notifier must also submit:

  • signed and written contracts between exporter and importer; and
  • proof of insurance, by providing the name of the insurance company and the policy number.

A User Guide on the EIHWHRMR (PDF, 167 Kb) has been prepared to help understand and implement the requirements of the Regulations. This guide is designed to help people who are involved in international movements of hazardous wastes and hazardous recyclable materials in Canada understand and implement the requirements of the EIHWHRMR. It will be useful to anyone who generates, handles, transports, treats, recycles, stores, or disposes of hazardous wastes or hazardous recyclable materials where international shipments are involved.

A list of key considerations with respect to the export, import or transit of hazardous wastes or hazardous recyclable materials is also available.

After WRMD has received the notification and its accompanying documents, a thorough technical review of the accuracy and completeness of the application is conducted. If the notification is found to be satisfactory, the information is forwarded to the receiving jurisdiction.

In the case of an export, WRMD submits the notification information to the competent authority in the country of import and countries of transit (if applicable), as designated by the Basel Convention, for review and consent. For exports to the United States, the notification information is sent to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).

In the case of an import, WRMD submits the notification information to the appropriate authority in the province or territory where the disposal or recycling operation is to take place, since the provinces/territories license the treatment facilities.

Environment Canada must receive acknowledgement from the authority that has jurisdiction over the receiving facility that the hazardous waste or hazardous recyclable material is authorized for disposal or recycling. If any competent authority objects, the shipment cannot proceed.

The Minister will issue a permit to the notifier once all authorizations are in place. No one shall import, export or transit without a permit.

The notification form and all accompanying documents required by the EIHWHRMR must be forwarded to:

Director, Waste Reduction and Management Division
Environment Canada
351 St. Joseph Boulevard, 9th Floor
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3
Fax: 819-953-0508

The notice may be sent by registered mail, fax, or courier. Environment Canada is also working toward developing a new electronic means of notice submission.

For additional information, please contact WRMD by telephone at 819-997-3377 to have your call directed to an appropriate contact. Alternatively, you may contact us by email at TMB@ec.gc.ca.

Feedback Mechanisms

If a service expectation has not been met, feedback can be provided by one of the following means:

  • Mail:

    Director, Waste Reduction and Management Division
    Environment Canada
    351 St. Joseph Boulevard, 9th Floor
    Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3

  • Email:

    TMB@ec.gc.ca

For More Information

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and Consulting with Canadians websites.