About the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry

The Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR) is an online registry that allows businesses to register certain activities that are well managed by meeting a standard set of requirements or established outcomes.

An EASR registration is a type of environmental permission that gives businesses permission to operate if they follow standard activity requirements.

The requirements for each activity or sector are defined in regulation or law which when followed protect the natural environment and human health.

The requirement to register in the EASR is established in Part II.2, section 20.21 of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA)and the general requirements for all registrations are outlined in Ontario Regulation 245/11, such as who must file and certify the information in the registry. More information on the specific activities and sectors that must be registered in the EASR as well as the activity requirements that must be followed are listed in the activity and sector specific guidance section.

Determine if you need to register in the EASR

Only specific activities and sectors are subject to registration. Review the following associated regulation and applicable guidance to determine whether your activity must be registered in the EASR based on the activity or sector-specific criteria.

If your business undertakes activities or operates in one of the sectors listed below, but your activity does not meet the registration criteria set out in regulation, you may be required to apply for another type of permission such as an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA), a Permit to Take Water (PTTW) or a Renewable Energy Approval.

Activity and sector specific guidance

If your business undertakes activities or operates in one of the sectors listed, but your activity does not meet the registration criteria set out in regulation, you may instead be required to apply for another type of permission such as an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA), a Permit to Take Water (PTTW) or a Renewable Energy Approval.

Exemptions from registration requirements

In some instances, certain activities are exempt from registeration and are also exempt from obtaining an environmental permission. The activity and sector guidance will help determine if your activity falls into one of the exemption categories.

Register in the EASR with an existing environmental permission

If you have an existing permission, you may still need to register in the EASR. This can happen if:

  • a new regulation is introduced requiring activities to register in the EASR
  • changes occur in your activity, such as if new equipment is installed that would require a change or amendment to your existing permission
  • there are changes to an existing EASR activity or sector regulation that change what activities are required to register

The EASR regulation for your activity or sector may have a section that will specify if there is a transition period or date by which you must register your activity even if you have an existing ECA. This information will also be explained in the activity- or sector- specific guidance. The transition timeline will tell you the deadline by which you are required to register your activity in the EASR.

If you have an existing ECA, once you register in the EASR your existing ECA (or the portion of your ECA) will automatically cease to be in effect.

If you are unsure how registering in the EASR will affect an existing permission for your facility, please contact us.

EASR process and requirements

You must register your activity in the EASR through the ministry’s online services for environmental permissions. To complete the registration, you will be required to fill in mandatory information that includes:

  • your business name and contact information, as well as information about the physical location of your business
  • details on your activity (for example, details on the type of equipment you use, confirmation that you meet the activity requirements set out in regulation)
  • details regarding the potential application of any region-specific provincial land use plans (for example, the Niagara Escarpment Plan) and related permits
  • the approval number and issuance date of any existing approvals applicable to the activity you are now registering in the EASR
  • verification that the information provided is true and accurate
  • additional supporting materials if applicable

Register in the EASR

To register in the EASR, you will need to:

Once you have set up your profile, you will:

  • select the EASR activity you are registering
  • complete the required registration questions and attach supporting documents (if applicable)
  • attest and submit
  • receive an electronic confirmation of registration

You will receive an email confirmation and an electronic confirmation of registration in your ministry account once registered. You can log into environmental permissions services at any time to access an electronic copy of your registration and your confirmation of registration.

Learn more about online services for environmental permissions, including how to submit your registration.

If you need assistance during the registration process, you can contact us.

Fees  

Registration fees for EASR activities are no longer required.

How to operate with your registration

Your electronic confirmation of registration is your proof of registration and is required before starting or continuing your activity.

Once registered, you must follow certain activity requirements and record keeping requirements for that activity. Learn more about activity requirements in the activity- and sector-specific guidance.

If activity requirements are not being met, the ministry can take steps to bring facilities into compliance using appropriate voluntary and/or mandatory compliance and enforcement actions. All the compliance tools used for enforcing conditions in ECAs can be used to enforce the regulatory requirements for EASR registered activities.

The ministry may review your registration to determine whether all the applicable legislative and regulatory requirements are being met and you may be asked to make information available to the ministry upon request. 

Update your registration

You are required to update inaccurate information in your registration within 30 days of making a change or discovering an inaccuracy (for example, if you have changed your contact information).

If you are changing or expanding your activity, you may be required to update any required reports and update your registration prior to making the changes, if applicable. Refer to the EASR specific regulation for more information. It is your responsibility to ensure your activity continues to meet the prescribed activity requirements if you make changes.

Your information can be updated via your ministry profile. Once you update your registration, you will receive an updated copy of the EASR confirmation document with the changes that you have provided.

 Remove your registration from the EASR

You are required to request removal of your registration from the EASR if you are no longer operating or no longer require your EASR registration. To have it removed, you must submit a request through your ministry account:.

  • select the ‘Remove Service’ option under the ‘Manage Permissions’ tab
  • provide the reason for the removal request
  • once the ministry reviews your removal request, you will receive a notification that your registration has been removed

If you need assistance requesting a registration be removed, please contact us.

EASR registrations are non-transferable

EASR registrations are specific to the registration holder. This means that if a facility or equipment is sold or otherwise transferred to a new owner, the registration does not transfer with the sale. The new owner will need to complete their own registration for the activity.

Contact us

For more information you may contact the Client Services and Permissions Branch:

416-314-8001
Toll-free: 1-800-461-6290, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
enviropermissions@ontario.ca