It’s that time of year again—April 1st is approaching, and with it comes an update many Canadian companies working with hazardous materials expect: HMIRA fees are increasing for 2026.
What is HMIRA?
The Hazardous Materials Information Review Act (HMIRA) is a Canadian federal law designed to protect confidential business information related to hazardous materials.
Under HMIRA, businesses can submit claims to keep sensitive details—such as chemical names, CAS numbers, and formulations—confidential. This process allows companies to safeguard their intellectual property while ensuring workers still have access to the essential safety information needed to handle hazardous materials safely.
In short, HMIRA balances business confidentiality with workplace safety, providing a clear mechanism to protect proprietary information without compromising employee health.
For a deeper dive into HMIRA requirements and how they apply to your organization, check out our full overview here: HMIRA Overview
Why Are Fees Increasing?
HMIRA registration fees are adjusted annually in line with Canada’s Service Fees Act. Every April 1st, fees are updated based on the April All-items Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Canada, published by Statistics Canada for the previous fiscal year. The fees associated with submitting a HMIRA claim are adjusted on April 1 of each year, and the cost is updated in the April Consumer Price Index for Canada, as published by Statistics Canada for the previous fiscal year.
Simply put, fees increase in line with inflation, ensuring that the program’s administration costs keep pace with economic changes.
What Does This Mean for Your Business and Confidential Business Information?
HMIRA fees are not one-size-fits-all. The total cost depends on factors like the number of claims (or files) submitted and the size of your organization.
To help you plan, Health Canada provides a comparison of last year’s fees versus the updated fees effective April 1, 2026, in the table below.
Staying ahead of these annual fee adjustments is key to maintaining compliance and avoiding delays in your HMIRA submissions. Compliance promotion is a key strategy for businesses to stay ahead of regulatory changes and maintain label compliance. If you have questions about how these changes impact your business—or need assistance preparing or submitting claims—our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Blog Author
Kirsten Alcock, H.BSc.
Kirsten Alcock is the Director of Product Safety at Dell Tech, with over 25 years of experience in regulatory affairs and hazard communication. She specializes in safety data sheets, labeling, and chemical compliance across Canadian and U.S. regulations, and is an active leader in the chemical hazard communication community.
