Backgrounder
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PLASTICS COMPLIANCE INFORMATION CENTRE:
HELPING SMALL BUSINESS UNDERSTAND AND MEET REGULATORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Contact Info
The McGuinty government is expanding its successful small business pilot
project to manufacturers of plastic products, making it easier for the sector
to understand and manage their regulatory responsibilities.
Working closely with the sector and the Canadian Plastics Industry
Association, the government is developing the Compliance Information Centre
for Manufacturers of Plastic Products, a "one-stop shop" where the sector will
be able to access important regulatory information that pertains to their
business. The online Centre is modelled on the successful Auto Body Repair
Compliance Information Centre launched in June 2006.
The two small business compliance centres are part of the small business
pilot project designed to increase awareness and understanding of government
requirements among small businesses through outreach and education. The
overall goal is to make it easier for small businesses to understand and
comply with regulatory requirements.
Improving outreach and education
The online centre will provide regulatory information in a whole new way.
Traditionally, information has been provided in a government-focused format,
requiring multiple searches on individual ministry websites. The Centre will
provide "one-stop shopping" for business owners by compiling regulatory
requirements from multiple ministries in an organized, business-friendly
format.
Key features of the site are:
— A single portal of regulatory information, organized by small
business activities, rather than by legislation
— A website that is easy to navigate and provides clear information on
legislation specifically applicable to manufacturers of plastic
products
— An information centre that includes provincial, federal and municipal
regulatory requirements
— Online access to key government and industry contacts.
About the plastics sector
Approximately 48 per cent of Canada's manufacturers of plastic products
are located in Ontario, the majority of which are small- and medium-sized
enterprises. The sector and its employees are a vital contributor to Ontario's
economy.
Manufacturers of plastic products produce a wide range of consumer goods,
including tubing, sheets, car parts, rug underlay and packaging.
In manufacturing these products, the plastics sector works with a number
of chemical agents and processes that are potentially hazardous to human
health and the environment. To ensure a high level of protection for the
public, workers and environment, the sector is subject to a number of
regulations and statutes from the provincial, municipal and federal
governments.
The auto body pilot project
The online centre for manufacturers of plastic products sector will be
based on the successful compliance information centre developed for auto body
repair shops in June 2006. The site, located at
www.serviceontario.ca/autobody, has received over 75,000 hits in the first
three months after its launch, and visitors to the site continue to provide
positive feedback about the initiative.
The online Centre provides auto body shops with access to provincial
regulatory requirements for their sector, as well as required forms and key
government contacts. The site also provides popular links to many other
relevant external websites and general workplace topics and facts.
The site was recently further enhanced to provide an industry view of
regulatory information. Shops can access regulatory information by end-user,
for example, by worker, employer, customer or facility.
The site was developed with input from the auto body repair industry,
including the Collision Industry Action Group (CIAG), the Hamilton District
Autobody Repair Association (HARA) and auto body repair shop owners.
ServiceOntario worked with regulatory ministries to develop the site as part
of the government's commitment to providing simpler, more streamlined and
better-integrated services for people and businesses across the province.
Changing the way we do business
The small business compliance information centres are part of a broader
strategy to modernize regulatory compliance in Ontario. The other components
of the modernization strategy include:
— The proposed Regulatory Modernization Act 2006 that, if passed, would
enable regulatory ministries to work together more effectively to
protect consumers, workers, natural resources and the environment. By
changing the government's approach to regulatory compliance, the
government can share and use compliance information more effectively,
target enforcement efforts where they count, and reduce duplication
in compliance activities.
— Strategies that would recognize companies with exceptional records of
compliance, while targeting enforcement efforts at businesses that
continually violate Ontario laws.
Next steps
To ensure the online centre reflects the business needs of manufacturers
of plastic products, the government will consult over the next few months with
the sector through the Ontario chapter of the Canadian Plastics Industry
Association. The online centre will be ready for launch in early spring 2007.
Contact:
Belinda Sutton
Ministry of Labour
416-326-7405
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