Request for Information Regarding an External Service for Compliance Testing of Single-use Plastic Straws, Cutlery, and Checkout Bags

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is responsible for administering and enforcing regulations published under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). On June 20, 2022, the Government of Canada published the Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations (the Regulations), under CEPA. These Regulations include testing criteria for certain single-use plastic items (cutlery, straws, and checkout bags) intended to demonstrate what items will be considered “single-use”. ECCC worked with Health Canada’s Product Safety Laboratory to develop testing methods for compliance testing of certain plastic items. The methods for testing straws, cutlery, and checkout bags are available on request. ECCC is interested in investigating options to have this testing performed privately. This is a Request for Information (RFI) only, and not a bid solicitation. Participation in this process is encouraged but is not mandatory. The purpose of this RFI is to gather information from respondents regarding their ability to conduct testing of plastic items using the methods developed by ECCC and Health Canada, and to provide results of that testing to ECCC for compliance purposes. Responses will help determine if services are available to provide compliance testing for the Regulations that will support ECCC enforcement officers. Responses will also be used to help with enforcement planning and provide information for budgeting purposes. To this end, respondents are requested to provide cost estimates to deliver the testing described, preferably on a per-test basis. In addition to responding to the specifications listed in this document, ECCC is interested in receiving input and suggestions as to the best way to support both a scheduled and on-demand enforcement program.