CIAC Expresses Disappointment with Federal Court of Appeal Decision 

January 30, 2026

The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) is disappointed with today’s decision by the Federal Court of Appeal overturning the lower court’s ruling regarding the Government of Canada’s addition of all Plastic Manufactured Items to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), 1999. 

“While we respect the Court’s decision, CIAC remains concerned that the government’s approach departs from the core principles of CEPA, which require decisions to be based on robust, substance-specific scientific risk assessments,” said Greg Moffatt, President and CEO of CIAC.  

CIAC continues to believe that the initial listing of all plastic manufactured items under Schedule 1 represented an overreach and set a troubling precedent for how CEPA authorities are applied. 

“Plastics play an essential role in protecting health, ensuring food safety, enabling clean technologies, and supporting modern infrastructure,” said Christa Seaman, Vice-President, Plastics at CIAC. “Addressing plastic waste requires thoughtful, targeted measures, not approaches that risk undermining innovation and investment without delivering environmental outcomes.” 

Despite its disappointment, CIAC remains committed to being a constructive partner in addressing plastics in the environment. 

“Our members are ready to work with governments and stakeholders to advance real solutions, including improved recycling systems, designing products for circularity, and scaling innovative technologies such as advanced recycling,” Moffatt said. “A circular economy for plastics will only succeed if it is built on sound science, collaboration, and regulatory frameworks that follow the rules set out in law.”