About the NPRI

• What is the National Pollutant Release Inventory?
• What are the benefits of the NPRI?
• Who reports to the NPRI?
• Are companies legally required to report to the NPRI?
• Related Links

What is the National Pollutant Release Inventory?

The National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) provides Canadians with access to information on the releases and transfers of key pollutants in their communities. It is the only national, legislated, publicly accessible inventory of its kind in Canada.

The NPRI is a major starting point for identifying and monitoring sources of pollution in Canada. It is an important consideration in managing risks to the environment and human health as well as in monitoring indicators for the quality of our air, land, and water. It is also emerging as an indicator for corporate environmental performance.

What are the benefits of the NPRI?

Public access to the NPRI motivates industry to prevent and reduce pollutant releases. It helps the Government of Canada track progress in pollution prevention, evaluate releases and transfers of substances of concern, identify and take action on environmental priorities, and implement policy initiatives and risk management measures.

Who reports to the NPRI?

Only facilities that meet established reporting criteria are required to report to the NPRI. Pollutants from mobile sources such as trucks and cars, households, facilities that release pollutants on a smaller scale and certain sector activities, such as agriculture and education and some mining activities, are not included in the NPRI but are reported under a separate program.

Are companies legally required to report to the NPRI?

Established in 1992 and legislated under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999), the NPRI requires companies to report information on releases and transfers of pollutants to the Government of Canada on an annual basis. Environment Canada makes the information available to Canadians in an annual public report, and maintains a detailed inventory that can be accessed and searched through an on-line database.

CEPA 1999 is designed to protect the environment and human health and to promote sustainable development. It contains information-gathering provisions, including some that allow the Minister of the Environment to request information on certain substances. The provisions also require the Minister to establish and publish a national inventory of releases of pollutants. These provisions under CEPA 1999 form the primary legislative basis for the NPRI. For more information, browse the fact sheet on the NPRI and CEPA 1999.

Related Links

• Alphabetical Listing of NPRI Substances for 2002
• Contact the NPRI national and regional offices
• National Greenhouse Gas Emissions inventory
• Criteria Air Contaminants Inventory (CAC)