You can start by finding out if you are obligated as a Steward and for which materials. If you are obligated, please register with OES and file any Steward’s Reports that may be outstanding.
For more information:
For Customer Service, email: customerservice@ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca or call 1-888-646-1820 ext. 1
Yes, all designated peripherals attract steward fees. These include: hard drives for both computers servers as well as optical drives, modems, keyboards and/or mice.
Steward fees are programmed into the OES Reporting and Remitting System. They are calculated based on an EEE fee schedule and how much EEE your company sold in Ontario during the data period(s).
A Steward’s Report is prepared by an EEE Steward on a monthly basis using the OES Reporting and Remitting System. It describes the amount of EEE that the Steward (or its franchisees and/or affiliates) supplied to an Ontario consumer during a data period.
It is up to the individual company to determine how they wish to file their monthly report. Companies will only file report but they can incorporate separate divisions into the report as they see fit. There are no exemptions, and each unit of EEE reported will be multiplied by the Steward fee to display the amount owed.
OES does not tell companies that are obligated to remit fees on designated products how to manage these costs. It is up to the individual company and their supply chain partners including retailers to make the best decisions for their businesses. Some companies will internalize the cost, while others may charge consumers an environmental handling fee at the point of purchase.
Beginning with reports for July 2010, OES is required to apply the HST. For obligation months up to and including June 2010 the GST is applied (PST does not apply).
Example: If you remit a May 2010 obligation Report in February 2011: GST is applied. If you remit a July 2010 obligation then HST is applied.
The legal responsibility always lies with the Steward, not the last seller. Stewards can, however, enter into voluntary Remitter's Agreements with their customers—Remitters—to pass on the tasks of reporting and payment of fees.
The WEEE Program Plan Rules allow organizations to enter into Remitter’s Agreements with OES, and designated EEE Stewards. A Remitter's Agreement allows the remitter to file a Remitter’s Report and pay fees on a Steward’s behalf.
If you know your Application Number and User ID, please select "Forgot Your Password" on the OES Reporting and Remitting System login page and your password will be emailed to you. If you don't have that information, call Customer Service at 1-888-646-1820 or send an email: customerservice@ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca.
If you would like to change your Primary Contact, please email customerservice@ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca. Please note that the previous Primary Contact or a senior officer of your company must authorize the change.
Primary Contacts have the authority to change their company's other key contacts (e.g., billing) and can do so through the OES Reporting and Remitting System.
To update your company's address, send an email to customerservice@ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca with:
If there is no change to the phone number, please indicate this in the email.
No. The EEE fee on leased products was reported and remitted to OES when the product was first supplied for use in Ontario, the fee is not applicable again.
No. A refurbished and/or reused EEE would not attract an additional fee.
A fee would apply if the EEE was supplied for use in Ontario by the Steward/Remitter, then returned and subsequently re-sold in Ontario as an open box good, not refurbished or reused.
Yes. The Steward/Remitter accounts for the product’s return, and its re-supply for use in Ontario.
Environmental handling fees on electronic product categories reflect the actual total program cost to manage that particular category out-of-use electronic items and do not relate to the cost to purchase. Size, weight and the amount of e-waste diverted from landfill for recycling are just some the variables that impact the environmental handling fee. For example, a smart phone is less expensive than an office photocopier. Some items contain more or fewer recyclable components.
No. Any EHF charged at the time of purchase should not exceed the OES steward fee for that item. Consumers have recourse to the Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services if they believe they may have been charged an inappropriate fee.
Ontarians are increasingly responding to public outreach campaigns and doing the right thing: recycling their out-of-use electronics safely and responsibly. The vast majority are concerned about improper disposal of electronics and the sensitive data or information they may contain. The demand is increasing, as is the amount of out-of-use electronics. OES continually monitors operating costs and assesses/adjusts fees annually based on actual costs. Based on the new model of actual costs, and after consulting with regulators and electronics industry producers, OES revises the steward fees May 1st annually. Some fees may go up, while others may go down. When steward fees do change, OES gives ample and frequent notice to stewards and retailers to allow for programming of systems, training of staff, and planning fee communications to their customers.
