Single Window Initiative – Data Element Rationales
Environment and Climate Change Canada

Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Materials

PGA Term Rationale Source
Intended Receiver per Part A of Movement Document (invoice level) Information is used to track shipments of hazardous waste or recyclable material as Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) must know where the shipment is destined and who is supposed to take ownership of it at destination. This information can be provided at the invoice level or commodity level. Invoice
Generator per Part A of Movement Document (invoice level) Information is used to track shipments of hazardous waste or recyclable material as ECCC must know the origin of the shipment and who has ownership at the shipping site. This information can be provided at the invoice level or commodity level. Invoice
Intended Use Code Not mandatory, but if a code is provided under base codes 050 and 160, then that triggers that the goods/cargo are hazardous and therefore a notice number and movement document number must be provided. empty field 
Intended Receiver per Part A of Movement Document (commodity level) Information is used to track shipments of hazardous waste or recyclable material as ECCC must know where the shipment is destined and who is supposed to take ownership of it at destination. This information can be provided at the invoice level or commodity level. Movement document
Generator per Part A of Movement Document (commodity level) Information is used to track shipments of hazardous waste or recyclable material as ECCC must know the origin of the shipment and who has ownership at the shipping site This information can be provided at the invoice level or commodity level. Movement document
ECCC Document Type To import controlled substances, an importer must have a permit, movement document, allowance or allowance transfer and this element is required so the document type can be validated. Permit or Movement document
Document Reference Number A permit or movement document has a unique number assigned. This information enables to verify if the permit is valid and to track the movement of hazardous waste. Permit or Movement document

Ozone Depleting Substances and Halocarbon Alternatives

PGA Term Rationale Source
CAS Number Required to accurately identify the controlled substance. ODSHAR Authorization
ECCC Document Type Required to demonstrate the importer has an LPCO (permit, allowance or allowance transfer) as required under the Regulations in order for an importer to import a controlled substance into Canada. The document type is related to the document reference number. ODSHAR Authorization
Document Reference Number Required to confirm that it is a valid LPCO (permit, allowance or allowance transfer) document and that it has not expired. ODSHAR Authorization
Name of Regulated Substance Required to show the chemical name of the controlled substance, and to confirm that the substance imported is the substance authorized by the LPCO. ODSHAR Authorization
Ingredient Quantity Required to show that the amount of the controlled substance being imported quantity does not exceed the authorized quantity on the LPCO. Importer

Vehicle and Engine Emissions Program

PGA Term Rationale Source

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, (CEPA) includes authority to regulate:

  • Emissions from on-road vehicles and engines
  • Emissions from off-road vehicles and engines
  • Emissions from marine spark-ignition engines and vessels with installed fuel lines or fuel tanks

The vehicle and engine emission regulations under CEPA set performance standards that are aligned with those of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Unlike the U.S., Canada has implemented a self-certification regime where the manufacturer and/or importer of a regulated product is required to test in accordance with established test protocols in order to demonstrate and certify that its product meets the applicable standards.

For vehicles, engines or vessels covered by an EPA certificate of conformity and sold concurrently in Canada and the U.S., evidence of conformity consists of the EPA certificate along with all the requisite supporting documentation. Importers of these products are not required to provide proof of EPA certification at the time of importation.

For vehicles, engines or vessels not covered by an EPA certificate of conformity or not sold concurrently in Canada and the U.S., evidence of conformity shall be obtained and produced in a form and manner that is satisfactory to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Since the Canadian emission standards are aligned with those of the EPA, evidence of conformity consists of information similar to that which is provided to obtain an EPA certificate. Importers of these products are required to provide such evidence prior to importation.

The importation declaration serves to verify compliance as it includes a statement of conformity (Affirmation of Statement Compliance). Depending on the products and the regulations associated with them, data elements can be mandatory (i.e. prescribed by regulations) or optional. By completing optional data fields, the effort to complete annual reports (an obligation not subject to the Single Window Initiative but part of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s regulatory requirements) may be reduced as this information will be required at the end of each calendar or model year, as the case may be.

Exception Process Required so the system knows what is being imported in order to determine what import requirements apply to the shipment. Broker / Importer
Make of Vehicle Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Invoice / Importer
Make of Engine Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Invoice / Importer
Model of Vehicle Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Invoice / Importer
Model of Engine Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Invoice / Importer
Model Year of Vehicle Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Invoice / Importer
Model Year of Engine Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Invoice / Importer
Engine Manufacturer Name Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Invoice / Importer
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Invoice / Importer
Engine Identification Number Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Invoice / Importer
Name of Engine Family Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Importer
Test Group Name Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Importer
Vehicle Class Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Importer
Engine Class Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Importer
Vehicle Manufacturer Name Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Invoice / Importer
Affirmation of Statement Compliance In order for vehicle, engines or machines fitted an engine to be admissible for sale into Canada, they must be in compliance with the applicable vehicle and engine emission regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, (CEPA) and the importer must provide an “Affirmation of Statement Compliance” prior to importation. Importer
Engine Power Rating Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Importer
Make of Machine Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Invoice / Importer
Model of Machine Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Invoice / Importer
Model Year of Machine Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Invoice / Importer
Machine Manufacturer Name Used, in conjunction with other data collected, to verify compliance (e.g. corroboration against EPA certification records - see explanation above). Invoice / Importer

Wildlife Enforcement

PGA Term Rationale Source
This section applies to goods that are subject to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as regulated in Canada under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) or are listed in Schedule II of the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations (WAPTR).
Importer Contact Name Required for point of contact with the party responsible for importing the regulated goods into Canada in case additional information is required to make admissibility or release decision; may differ from client name. Importer
Importer Telephone Number Required for point of contact with the party responsible for importing the regulated goods into Canada in case additional information is required to make admissibility or release decision. Importer
Importer Fax Number Required for point of contact with the party responsible for importing the regulated goods into Canada in case additional information is required to make or release decision. Email address may be provided instead. Importer
Importer Email Address Required for point of contact with the party responsible for importing the regulated goods into Canada in case additional information is required to make admissibility or release decision. Fax number may be provided instead. Importer
LPCO Type / Authorization Type Identifies that the shipment is accompanied by the permit(s)/certificate(s) required under section 6(2) WAPPRIITA. empty field 
LPCO Reference Number Identifies the permit/certificate number. Can be verified to ensure authenticity of document. empty field 
File (Image URN) A digital image of the required permits/certificates is requested in order to:
  • 1) Enable the CBSA to review certificate/permit information prior to arrival/release.
  • 2) Demonstrate that the goods were intended to be imported in good faith with the required permits/certificates. This may contribute to resolving situations where the hard copies of the permits/certificates were lost during transport.
  • 3) Serve as a placeholder for any future CITES/ECCC electronic permitting initiatives
CITES Permit
Date of Issue Provides the date that the required permit/certificate was issued. Can be used to verify to the authenticity of the document and ensure compliance within the specified timeframe. CITES Permit
Expiry Date Provides the date that the required permit/certificate expires. Can be used to verify to the authenticity of the document and ensure compliance within the specified timeframe. CITES Permit
Permittee Identifies the party to whom the required permit/certificate was issued. Can be used to verify to the authenticity of the document and identify the responsible party. CITES Permit
Permittee Contact Name Required for point of contact with the permittee for the regulated good. CITES Permit
Permittee Telephone Number Required for point of contact with the permittee for the regulated good. CITES Permit
Permittee Fax Number Optional. Provides an alternate means to contact the permittee for the regulated good. Permittee
Permittee Email Address Optional. Provides an alternate means to contact the permittee for the regulated good. Permittee
Vendor Contact Name Required for point of contact with the party selling the regulated goods to the purchaser and/or the party consigning the regulated goods to Canada. Importer/client
Vendor Telephone Number Required for point of contact with party selling the regulated goods to the purchaser and/or the party consigning the regulated goods to Canada. Importer/client
Vendor Fax Number Required for point of contact with the party selling the regulated goods to the purchaser and/or the party consigning the regulated goods to Canada. Email address may be provided instead. Importer/client
Vendor Email Address Required for point of contact with the party selling the regulated goods to the purchaser and/or the party consigning the regulated goods to Canada. Fax number may be provided instead. Importer/client
Exporter Contact Name Required for point of contact with the party shipping the regulated goods consignee/purchaser in Canada, if different from vendor. Importer/client
Exporter Telephone Number Required for point of contact with the party shipping the regulated goods consignee/purchaser in Canada, if different from vendor. Importer/client
Exporter Fax Number Required for point of contact with the party shipping the regulated goods consignee/purchaser in Canada, if different from vendor. Importer/client
Exporter Email Address Required for point of contact with the party shipping the regulated goods consignee/purchaser in Canada, if different from vendor. Importer/client
Common Name Required to identify the regulated species being imported to Canada as indicated on the permit/certificate. CITES Permit
Scientific Name (genus and species) Required to identify the regulated species being imported to Canada as indicated on the permit/certificate. CITES Permit
Age Required to identify the regulated species being imported to Canada as indicated on the permit/certificate. Importer
Sex Required to identify the regulated species being imported to Canada as indicated on the permit/certificate. Importer
Life Stage Required to identify the regulated species being imported to Canada as indicated on the permit/certificate. Importer
Purpose Required to identify the regulated species being imported to Canada as indicated on the permit/certificate. Importer
Identification Numbers or Marks Required to identify the regulated species being imported to Canada as indicated on the permit/certificate. Importer
Source of Specimen Required to identify that the import was legally sourced and is permitted in trade as indicated on the permit/certificate (i.e. bred in captivity, artificially propagated, wild, etc.). CITES Permit
Country of Source Required to identify the regulated species being imported to Canada as indicated on the permit/certificate. Importer
TSN/AphiaID Optional data element. Providing this information when indicated on permit may assist with identification of the good and verification against the permit. CITES Permit
Identification of ECCC Regulated Goods Importers/brokers must Indicate “yes” or “no” as to whether or not the goods being imported are subject to CITES as regulated in Canada under WAPPRIITA or are listed in Schedule II of WAPTR. This will enable the CBSA system to run the appropriate business rules for goods that are subject to ECCC’s requirements as outlined above and to ensure those goods that are not regulated by ECCC are not subject to these business rules. Importer
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