Environmental Approvals for Business

Any facility that releases emissions to the atmosphere, discharges contaminants to ground or surface water, provides potable water supplies, or stores, transports or disposes of waste must have a Certificate of Approval before it can operate lawfully. It is the responsibility of owners and operators of these facilities to apply for and obtain Certificates of Approval.

Staff of the Ministry of the Environment examine each facility proposal, through the Certificate of Approval process, to ensure that the environment is not adversely affected by these types of activities. 

Each completed Certificate of Approval addresses matters that fall within the mandate of the ministry, focuses on site specific characteristics relevant to each proposal and contains enforceable requirements for each facility to ensure the protection of human health and the natural environment.

Certificates of Approval help to inform and educate applicants who want to operate such facilities.  They are also used by ministry staff to ensure the operation of facilities complies with environmental laws.  Certificates of Approval, once issued, are available to the public.

Applications for Certificates of Approval should be made to:

Director
Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch
Ministry of the Environment
2 St. Clair Ave W, Floor 12A
Toronto, ON M4V 1L5

For more information about Certificates of Approval or to get an application package, please contact the Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch at 416-314-8001 in Toronto, toll free at 1-800-461-6290, or by e-mail at EAABGen@ene.gov.on.ca.

Air and Noise Approvals

The Environmental Protection Act  requires that equipment, structures or processes that may discharge a contaminant to the atmosphere must be approved by the ministry before construction, alteration, extension or replacement of the equipment.  Approval is also required for the ongoing operation of any equipment that may discharge a contaminant to the atmosphere. 

Most industrial processes, equipment or modifications to industrial processes and equipment require a Certificate of Approval, unless specifically exempted.  Approval may also be required for below-surface remedial activities at contaminated sites.

Read more about Air and Noise Approvals

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Waste Disposal and Management Approvals

The Environmental Protection Act requires that a ministry approval be obtained before using, operating, establishing, altering, enlarging or extending a waste management system or a waste disposal site.

Operations or activities that require approval include but are not limited to:

• a landfill or an incinerator;
• processing someone else’s waste at your facility;
• waste transfer and processing facilities; 
• biosolids spreading sites;
• waste haulers;
• haulers and spreaders of biosolids and septage;
• mobile PCB destruction;
• mobile site decontamination systems.

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Sewage Works Approvals

The Ontario Water Resources Act requires that ministry approval must be obtained before establishing, altering, extending or replacing any sewage works.  Sewage works are defined as works used for the collection, transmission, treatment or disposal of wastewater, but not including plumbing, to which the Building Code Act, 1992 applies.

There are different requirements for industrial sewage works, while requirements for municipal and private sewage works are the same.

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Municipal & Non-Municipal Drinking Water System Approvals

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) contains the approval requirements for drinking water systems in Ontario. Approval requirements are different for municipal and non-municipal drinking-water systems.

The SDWA sets general requirements and prohibitions for the establishment, replacement, operation, alteration and fragmentation of drinking-water systems.  It also includes the Director’s power to grant relief from regulatory requirements regarding water treatment, water quality monitoring and reporting of results.

For municipal systems, the Director’s approval is required for any establishment, replacement, operation, alteration or fragmentation of a drinking-water system.

For non-municipal systems, the establishment, replacement, operation and alteration of a drinking-water system does not require any approval provided it is undertaken and carried out in accordance with the regulations under the SDWA.

Read more about Municipal & Non-Municipal Drinking Water System Approvals

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Frequently Asked Questions Relating to Certificates of Approval

Where can I get an application form or more information about applications?

Application forms and guides are available in the Forms, Manuals and Guidelines Catalogue on the Ministry of the Environment Internet site, or from the Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch at 416-314-8001 in Toronto, toll free at 1-800-461-6290, or by e-mail at EAABGen@ene.gov.on.ca.

Frequently Asked Questions on Certificates of Approval

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