Companies who are already subject to programs to recover and reclaim containers and packaging are not targeted by this legislation, including:

• Companies who are already subject to, or financially contribute to, measures requiring materials recovery and recycling under the Environment Quality Act, such as for paint and oil containers;
• Companies who are already required to take measures or financially contribute to the recovery and recycling of containers and packaging according to a consignment system under a Québec law, such as for non-refillable beer or carbonated beverage containers;
• Companies who can show they directly contribute to another materials recovery and recycling system that functions on an established and regular basis, such as for multiple-use beer bottles.

It should be noted that packaging not included in the deposit program, such as plastic or carton packaging around bottles or carbonated beverage cans, are subject to the Act and must therefore be included in the Company Report. On the other hand, beer bottle cartons are not targeted because they are returned to the point of sale.

According to its own rules for applying the schedule of contributions, ÉEQ may determine additional exemptions. These rules are submitted to member companies on an annual basis and revised according to information collected during public consultations.