Fee consultation: Proposals


As the economic landscape continues to change, we know many businesses in BC are navigating the challenges and uncertainty posed by tariffs and other rising costs. During pre-consultation with key safety partners, we heard that this unpredictability is a major concern to clients

At Technical Safety BC, we have done everything possible to keep fee increases at a minimum for our clients, including reducing operating budgets and ensuring fees are used solely to recover essential operational costs. We strive to be a collaborative safety partner by providing as much certainty as possible with a three-year fee schedule.

To allow us to continue advancing the safety system, we are proposing to increase general fees by 4% in 2026, 5% in 2027, and 6% in 2028. Additionally, we are proposing structural changes for boilers, pressure vessels & refrigeration operating permit fees, and new fees related to licensing and other services.

Your feedback is important to us. We are committed to providing a fair and transparent consultation process and welcome your thoughts on the fee changes and how they may impact you. We invite you to participate in our fee consultation by Friday, July 4, 2025.

Improvements

Learn more about the recent and upcoming improvements we've made to our services and products.


Additional Proposed Fee Changes: Structural changes

We are proposing adjustments to the way some of our fees are structured in order to streamline processes and reduce administrative complexity. This means some fees may increase by more than the proposed general increases, and others may increase by less.
The proposed fee tier changes for BPVR Operating Permits will not be implemented on January 1, 2026, but later in 2026 when the next phase of our business improvement project is launched. However, prior to the effective date of the proposed fee tier changes and all BPVR Operating Permit fees will be subject to the general fee increase.

General fees. We We propose a general fee increase of 4% in 2026, 5% in 2027, 6% in 2028 Boiler operating permits. We propose simplifying the fee tiers for permits for high pressure boilers, low pressure boilers, thermal fluid boilers and hot water boilers. Fees would change by different amounts. Pressure vessel operating permits. We propose simplifying the fee tiers for permits for pressure vessels. Fees would change by different amounts. Boiler plant registration. We propose simplifying the fee tiers for plant registration. Fees would change by different amounts. Refrigeration operating permits. We propose a new fee for refrigeration systems over 5kW.


Additional Proposed Fee Changes: New fees

We are proposing new fees for a selection of products and services, which mean some fees may increase by more than the proposed general increase.


Licensing and certification. A greater fee increase in 2026 for licensing. New fees for renewing certificates and licences after expiry. New fees for printing wallet cards and paper communication. Class B boiler and REF contractors. A new fee for new refrigeration Class B boiler contractors, for developing a quality control program.

Rail pre-certification support fee. A new fee for senior safety officer and subject matter expert support before an application for a railway minister certificate (‘certification’) or operating permit. Alternative Safety Approaches. A new mandatory pre-application fee for senior safety officer and subject matter expert support before an application for an Alternative Safety Approach (ASA). Compliance and enforcement. We propose an updated professional service rate for compliance & enforcement work by senior safety officers.


If you have any concerns about specific fees, please tell us through our survey.


About TSBC

Technical Safety BC is a self-funded, not-for-profit safety regulator. Fees are set to recover costs related to safety oversight, including educational programs; public safety campaigns such as recalls, hazard awareness, and safety alerts; investigating incidents; assessing equipment and systems; and finding ways to innovate and improve programs and services for our safety partners and clients. Read more about our recent service improvements, what we’ve done to reduce our costs, and how your fees help us strengthen our safety system.

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