Ontario MOE to conduct unannounced audits: CPIA (June 14, 2007)

The Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE) Enforcement Group plans to conduct unannounced inspections at approximately 180 plastic processors before the end of the year, according to a note on the Canadian Plastics Industry Association(CPIA) website.

According to the CPIA, the group will focus on companies who fall into the following North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) groupings: 326111 (Plastics Bag Manufacturing), 326140 (Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing), 326160 (Plastic Bottle Manufacturing), 326191 (Plastic Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing), and 326198 (All Other Plastic Product Manufacturing).

The MOE conducted 78 audits of plastic processors in 2005, and found that only seven were fully compliant. Common non-compliance infractions included having waste on site for more than 90 days without MOE notification.

The Ontario government also opened the Compliance Information Centre for Manufacturers of Plastic Products in May, providing the plastics sector with regulatory information and access to forms and guides.

“This is a big step forward for both small business and government,” said CPIA CEO and president Serge Lavoie in a press release. “Together we have created an information centre that allows companies to access regulatory information quickly on what they need to do to be compliant with many laws.”

Industry professionals with additional questions are encouraged to contact Graham Knowles, consultant to the CPIA’s Sustainability Management Program, at gknowles@cpia.ca or 905-678-7405 ext. 232.