Canadian Waste and Recyclables Handlers Must Now Use CNMTS for Cross-Border Transport

If you move hazardous waste and recyclable materials across the border, be aware that it will be mandatory to use Canadian Notice and Movement Tracking System (CNMTS) to create your movement documents as of October 31st, 2021. This news is important for companies in this field, because they’ll need to use CNMTS to remain compliant.

At the end of October 2021, the Cross-Border Movement of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Materials Regulations come into effect.

Here’s what these companies should know about maintaining CNMTS compliance:

  • You can create movement documents within CNMTS and print them
  • You can print documents in advance of shipments. By preparing documents in advance, you can avoid unexpected last-minute problems such as CNMTS downtime, a printer malfunction, or an internet outage
  • Print a few copies of blank movement documents for each permit. CNMTS allows you to create blank movement documents without submitting them to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
  • You don’t need to submit movement documents to ECCC before you can print a manifest document. Submitting your manifest in advance can lead to non-compliance due to missing information at the time of printing.  If the permit expires before you can use all printed blank manifests, you can simply delete them in the system and create new manifests with a valid permit number