Steward & Remitter FAQs
See also: Steward/Remitter-Obligation Scenarios & Remitters Process
General
What is EEE?
EEE refers to new electrical and electronic equipment supplied for use in Ontario. This is distinct from WEEE, which is any designated EEE that is available for reuse, refurbishment, recycling or end-of-life (EOL) management under the OES program.
What is WEEE?
WEEE is waste electronics and electrical equipment and in the context of Ontario’s program, this means all materials designated by the Ontario Minister of the Environment’s request for a WEEE diversion program. EEE becomes WEEE when the owner of the product no longer wants it.
Why was WEEE centered out for a special diversion program?
In Ontario, more than 91,000 tonnes of electrical and electronics equipment are available for reuse and recycling every year. Before this program began (in 2009), only about one-quarter was properly managed. Under normal usage, unwanted electronics poses little or no hazards. However, many electronic products contain materials such as lead, cadmium and mercury, that if not handled properly could have environmental impacts and cause health and safety concerns. Ontario’s Minister of the Environment designated WEEE for a special diversion program to ensure that unwanted electronics are reused or recycled, and to stem the flow of these materials to landfill or improper processing in developing nations.
Who is obligated under the WEEE Program Plan?
Companies that are brand owners, first importers into Ontario, and/or assemblers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), or franchisors are obligated to cover 100% of the costs of the WEEE Program Plan in Ontario; including collection, transporting and processing costs. These companies, called “Stewards,” will remit fees to OES based on the number of units of designated EEE they supply into Ontario.
When do WEEE obligations take effect?
Phase 1 of the WEEE program began on April 1, 2009. April 1, 2010 marked the launch of the remaining phases.
When and how do we register?
The registration form for stewards of Phase 1 WEEE including brand owners, first importers and assemblers can be accessed by clicking on https://mtsreg.oesdatasystem.ca/login.aspx.
To register to become an OES service provider or steward of WEEE, click on the <New Application for Registration> button. Companies need only complete this once. Complete the mandatory registration fields and self declare how you plan to apply (as a “steward” of WEEE and/or OES collector).
What is a Steward’s Report?
An EEE Steward’s Report is a report prepared by an EEE Steward and filed with OES. It describes the amount of EEE that the Steward (or its franchisees and/or affiliates) supplied to an Ontario consumer during that data period. The OES Online Reporting System allows Stewards to report their data as per the requirements of the Rules through an online system.
How much detail is needed to file a Steward's Report?
All obligated Stewards are required to file individual monthly EEE Steward’s Reports as applicable from the commencement date of the Phase 1 WEEE program, on April 1, 2009. If your company did not have an obligation under the first Phase of the program and you are obligated for later phase materials, the commencement date of your obligation is April 1, 2010. If you have questions about your obligation please contact our customer service team.
How do we calculate our fees?
Steward’s fees are programmed into the online reporting system. They are calculated according to how much EEE your company sold during the data period. They are based on the annual EEE fee schedule.
How should a large company (e.g. holding company) with several divisions, subsidiaries or many brands report its obligations? Are individual Steward's Reports required for each division, subsidiary or brand or will a single report filed by head office suffice?
It is up to the individual company to determine if they wish to report as separate divisions or as one company. There are no exemptions and each unit of EEE generates a fee.
Can I charge an “eco-fee” on WEEE sold?
How each individual steward manages their costs is an internal decision. This program does not provide direction on this matter.
Is PST and/or GST applicable to steward’s fees?
OES is waiting on a GST ruling from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) with respect to its WEEE program. Until such time as this ruling is received, OES will be charging GST on fees to stewards obligated for EEE under the WEEE program upon the start of the program. Stewards will be advised of the WEEE GST status as soon as a ruling is received. PST does not apply.
Please note that OES has been advised by the Ministry of Revenue on Retail Sales Tax as it applies to Stewards who make the business decision to pass the fee onto their clients. Please review the
Information on Ministry of Revenue on Retail Sales Tax.
Is this a tax?
No. 100% of fees collected from Ontario EEE Stewards are used to cover the program’s direct costs of collection, transportation, consolidation, end-of-life management and administration of the program. Funds are also used for public education and awareness, research and development, continuous improvements in technology and program execution. The program is managed by OES, which is a not-for-profit organization of brand owners and retailers of electrical and electronic equipment. None of the fees collected from obligated companies are directed to provincial or federal governments
If products are purchased for resale would they attract a Steward’s fee?
A company would be obligated to file a Steward’s Report for the EEE sold for which it is the brand owner, first importer, franchisor during the data period, e.g. each reporting period. Therefore, if you are purchasing a product for which you are the first importer, you will be obligated to remit steward fees to OES. If you are not the brand owner, first importer, assembler or franchisor during the data period, you are not obligated to report on the EEE. Please review the rules for further definitions.
If the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that is resident in Ontario supplies EEE to an Ontario broker who then ships the EEE to a retailer, is the last seller of Phase 1 EEE responsible for filing a Steward’s Report?
The Ontario program differs from other provincial electronics programs where obligation may fall upon the last seller at point of purchase. Stewards are brand owners, first importers, franchisors, or assemblers of EEE and they are obligated to file a Steward’s Report for the aggregate amount of EEE that the steward supplied to a person resident in Ontario in the data period. This means that since the OEM has Ontario residency and is the brand owner, both the broker and the last retailer as the resellers do not own the brand, the obligation for reporting would fall upon the OEM as the Steward.
What is a Remitter’s Agreement?
The Rules allow organizations that may or may not be Stewards under the WEEE Program Plan to enter into Remitter’s Agreements with OES and organizations designated as EEE Stewards. A Remitter's Agreement is an agreement among OES, a remitter and a person designated under the Rules as an EEE steward. It provides for the remitter to file a Remitter’s Report and pay steward fees to OES on behalf of a steward who supplies EEE into Ontario. The remitter must inform the steward of the amount of steward fees paid to OES. OES has developed a separate agreement that sets out the terms and conditions of this arrangement.
What is a Remitter’s Report?
A Remitter’s Report is a report prepared by a remitter and filed with OES on behalf of a steward, pursuant to a Remitter’s Agreement. It describes the aggregate amount of EEE that was supplied by the remitter in Ontario in the data period on behalf of the steward and contains the information required by Appendix C in the Rules. The agreement is entered into between the steward, the remitter and OES.
Administrative
How do I change my organization’s address or legal name?
Send an email to customerservice@ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca with your company’s previous/current address and your company’s new address. Please ensure you include suite/unit number and postal code. Also, include any change in phone/fax numbers. If there is no change to phone numbers please indicate this in the email.
How do I change my contacts for OES?
If you would like to change your primary contact, email customerservice@ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca to initiate the process. For security, we will ask you to have the previous primary contact or a senior officer of the company authorize the change. Your primary contact can make any other changes to your company’s contacts through the online Reporting System.
I forgot my password, what do I do?
Send an email to customerservice@ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca with your application registration or steward number.
Designated Materials
Why does this program refer to Phase 1 and Phase 2 materials?
In her Program Request Letter, the Minister of the Environment requested that the program be developed and implemented in two phases. The Program Request Letter specifies the materials to be included in each phase and the program has been developed in accordance with this request.
Which materials are included in each phase?
April 1, 2010 marks the launch of the full program which includes the full range of materials described in the Minister of the Environment’s Program Request Letter.
- Designated Materials Included for Phase 1 and Phase 2
- Designated Materials Excluded from Phase 1 and Phase 2
If I am new to this program, where do I start?
Welcome to the OES program! We’d suggest that you find out if you are obligated as a Steward and if so, for which materials. If you are obligated, you will want to Register with OES and proceed to file any Steward’s Reports that may be outstanding. We would refer you to:
- The Steward’s section of this website
- The Rules of the program
- Information about applying and registering
- The online Reporting System
- Customer Service
- customerservice@ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca
- 1-888-646-1820.
Are computer peripherals bundled with desktop computers (i.e. one desktop CPU + one keyboard + one mouse) considered desktop computers?
A fee is charged on each designated EEE material. The CPU would attract a separate fee from the peripherals. If components/peripherals are installed inside the original CPU, stewards would be obligated to report on the CPU. If these peripherals are sold as a stand alone or as replacement parts, you will be responsible for reporting on each EEE peripheral.
Do designated peripheral materials attract an EEE fee regardless of the EEE they are supporting, i.e. desktop peripherals would attract a fee as well as server peripherals even though servers are not obligated under the program?
Yes, all designated peripherals attract fees. These include hard drives for a server as well as peripherals for desktops including drives, keyboard and/or mice as described in Section 7.3 of the WEEE Program Plan.
