Risky Business: Navigating Transport Canada's New Registration Requirement For Dangerous Goods

Dangerous goods" ("hazardous materials" in the United States) is a loaded term that brings to mind crude oil, lithium-ion batteries and explosives, but in fact covers perfume, paint, aerosols and other consumer goods. On October 25, 2024, Canada will begin requiring the registration of companies who transport dangerous goods and of companies that offer dangerous goods for transportation. The registration must be renewed and updated annually.

On October 25, 2023, new regulations under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act¹ ("TDGA"), came into force. The regulations require all individuals and entities ("persons") involved in importing, offering for transport, handling, or transporting dangerous goods ("Dangerous Goods Activities") to register their corporation and operation sites in the newly established Client Identification Database ("CID").² To facilitate compliance with these new regulations, Transport Canada has allowed a 12-month grace period for CID