Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) and Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR)
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What Distinguishes EASR and ECA from One Another?
Businesses are obtaining an ECA that includes multiple activities and project types (e.g. air, noise, waste, or sewage projects). You must obtain permission from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks if your business releases pollutants into the atmosphere or onto the land (MECP) and pollutes the natural environment․ Moreover, contaminants including noise can cause health problems for people and wildlife. Environmental compliance is also the important type that means you are successfully abiding by a rule or standard that has been set for you, such as environmental law. It is important to comply so that you don’t face hefty fines which may be issued by the Ministry․ On top of this, the organization’s stakeholders will be more loyal and the customers will be able to see that you are conforming to what is expected. Environmental activity and sector mean to make sure that your company’s operations don’t harm the environment or other people. ECA & EASR in Ontario play a critical role in ensuring environmental protection and compliance.
In addition to meeting regulatory requirements, businesses engaged in Environmental Reporting can demonstrate their commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, fostering trust among stakeholders and customers There are defined regulations to ensure compliance, which are divided into three categories depending on the type of business:
- Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR),
- Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA),
- Renewable Energy Approval
Environmental Compliance Services offered by SONAIR
Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR): All activities and sectors go through EASR unless expressly prohibited. Typically, firms with less complicated operations and activities pose less harm to the environment and human health. Waste management systems (non-hazardous waste transport), small ground-mounted solar facilities, commercial printing facilities, automotive refinishing facilities, and waste management systems are all EAST-eligible operations. The procedure entails screening for Air Emissions Summary; Dispersion Modeling report; Potential for: Noise and Odor emissions and potential mitigation control strategies; Dust Control Management Plan; Substances and Toxicology evaluation.
ECA & EASR in Ontario are essential regulatory frameworks for managing environmental activities and sector compliance. An Emission Summary report provides detailed information on the types and amounts of pollutants being released from the facility. This report is crucial as it helps the Ministry to gauge the potential environmental impact of the business operations.
Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA)
Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) and Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR) are essential to a business’s day-to-day operations. An ECA and/or EASR is a legally binding document, granted by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) allowing facilities to operate as long as certain terms and conditions are met. Depending on your facility’s activities and operations, you may be subject to an ECA or eligible to register for an EASR. Understanding the requirements for ECA & EASR in Ontario is vital for businesses to operate legally and sustainably.
ECA Required for Specific Industries Including
- Cement
- Waste
- Oil refineries
- Manufacturing
The Procedure Consists of Screening:
- Dispersion Modelling Report
- Air Emissions Summary
- Potential for Noise Emissions
- Potential mitigation control measures
- Substances and Toxicology Assessment
- Formal Application/Review with MECP
- Annual Updates and/or Amendments with MECP, as needed.
Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA)
Any businesses that have the potential to release any pollutants or contaminants into the natural environment are required to prepare and submit an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA), formerly known as the Certificate of Approval (CofA) application to the Ministry of the Environmental Conservation and Parks (MECP).
Small business owners may often believe their activities and operations do not release any contaminants or pollutants into the air, simply because they do not smell or visually see any dust being emitted from their processes. If your operations require the use of any chemicals or generate particulates, chances are your facility will be required to prepare an ESDM report in support of the Environmental Compliance Approval application or Environmental Activity and Sector Registry registration. An Emission Summary and Dispersion Modeling Report lists all of the onsite sources and accounts for any contaminants being released into the air. Contaminants emitted must be compared against Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks’ (MECP) prescribed standards and limits to determine compliance. If the limits from the general air standard cannot be met, the facility must apply for a site-specific or technical standard.
Mobile Environmental Compliance Approval
Environmental Compliance Approvals are site specific approvals and cannot be transferred to another site.
If a company has operations at two or more sites, separate ECAs must be obtained for each site. However, some companies require relocation of its equipment from time to time due to the nature of its operations, such as Ready-Mix Concrete plants. Some are stationary, and others are mobile, in which case a Mobile Environmental Compliance Approval must be obtained to encompass equipment that moves from site to site. Unlike stand-alone ECAs, Mobile ECA limits a facility to only be able to operate the equipment covered under the ECA for no longer than 90 days. Otherwise, a non-mobile ECA must be submitted to the Ministry instead.
Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR)
Facility equipment which are generally considered low risk, such as natural gas-fired equipment can apply for a separate Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR) in the past to omit these equipment from being assessed and covered under the Environmental Compliance Approval. A Section 20.18 can also be requested to include low-risk equipment in the ECA in order to forgo the need to register for an EASR. In 2017, the Ministry phased-in a new stream of approval, covered under O.Reg 1/17, which allows low risk facilities to register for an EASR instead of an ECA for its activities and operations. While an ECA can take months for the Ministry to review and approve, an EASR eligible facility can instantly receive an approval upon registering for an EASR. Instant EASR approval is only made possible with a Licensed Engineering Practitioner (LEP), such as SONAIR Environmental, who will complete the necessary assessments for the facility, seal all the reports, and request to have the approvals issued, essentially foregoing the Ministry review and approval period.
EASR eligible facilities are generally those with NAICS codes that falls outside of the following:
NAICS code
Industry
2122
Metal ore mining
2123
Non-metallic mineral mining and quarrying
22132
Sewage treatment facilities
31122
Starch and vegetable fat and oil
manufacturing
31161
Animal slaughtering and processing
321111
Sawmills (except shingle and shake mills)
3221
Pulp, paper and paperboard mills
32411
Petroleum refineries
32412
Asphalt paving, roofing and saturated
materials manufacturing
32419
Other petroleum and coal product
manufacturing
325
Chemical manufacturing
32419
Other petroleum and coal product
manufacturing
32615
Urethane and other foam product
(except polystyrene) manufacturing
3262
Rubber product manufacturing
NAICS code
Industry
32731
Cement manufacturing |
32732
Ready-mix concrete manufacturing
32741
Lime manufacturing
3279
Other Non-metallic mineral product
manufacturing
331
Primary metal manufacturing
3321
Forging and stamping
33281
Coating, engraving, cold and heat treating
and allied activities
332999
All other miscellaneous fabricated metal
product manufacturing
336
Transportation equipment manufacturing
56211
Waste collection
5622
Waste treatment and disposal
5629
Remediation and other waste
management services
81222
Cemeteries and crematoria
Differences between an ECA and EASR
The difference between an Environmental Compliance Approval and an Environmental Activity and Sector Registry is minimal; however, each stream is governed by different regulations. The following are some of the differences between the two streams:
- Reviewer
- Approval Timeframe
- Eligibility
- MECP Fees
Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA)
- Ministry
- Varies
- High risk facilities
- Varies
Environmental Activity and Sector
Registry (EASR)
- Licensed Engineering Practitioner (LEP)
- Instantly upon registration
- Low risk facilities
- Typically $2,353
Not knowing where to start is often a challenge.
At SONAIR, we guide you through the entire process from start to finish. We put regulations and by-laws into simple terms so you can understand what is expected and how to achieve your goals. If you would like to learn more, contact us today so one of our experts can assist you.
Areas We Serve
- TORONTO
- ETOBICOKE
- NORTH YORK
- SCARBOROUGH
- MISSISSAUGA
- CAMBRIDGE
- KITCHENER/ WATERLOO
- GUELPH
- WOODSTOCK
- STRATFORD
- ST. CATHARINES
- NIAGARA FALLS
- MARKHAM
- VAUGHAN
- BRAMPTON
- NEWMARKET
- BRADFORD
- BARRIE
- NEW TECUMSETH
- SUDBURY
- PICKERING
- AJAX
- OSHAWA
- BELLEVILLE
- PETERBOROUGH
