Responding to the PFAS notice

Notice with respect to certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on July 27, 2024

The Excel Reporting File has been developed to assist you in meeting the reporting requirements of the notice. A complete substance list is available on the last tab of the Excel Reporting File and as a stand-alone Excel substance list. Any person who is required to respond to the notice must do so no later than January 29, 2025. Please note that in the case of a discrepancy between the Excel Reporting File, the Canada Gazette notice or the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), the official version of the notice and CEPA take precedence.

If you determine that you meet the reporting criteria of the notice, you must provide a section 71 response using the steps outlined below:

1. Download and complete the PFAS Excel Reporting File using the link above. Once completed, save it using the following file naming format “[ORGANIZATION NAME] PFAS s71 ERF.xlsx

2. Submit the saved file via Environment and Climate Change Canada's Single Window online reporting system

a) Login to your account and on the Chemicals Management Plan's "Reporting Dashboard" page, select the "Chemicals Management – General" initiative and start a new form. Ensure that you review the “Identification” page. On the “Substances to Report” page, select “s.71 PFAS 2024” as the “Submission Purpose” and enter "PFAS" as the “Submission Title” and click “Save”

b) Upload the Excel Reporting File under the "General Document Upload" page. Save all pages and submit

Please refer to the “Instructions” tab of the Excel Reporting File for more detailed steps on how to upload and submit a response. Refer to How to use Single Window: guidance for details on how to create and manage an account in the Single Window online reporting system and Single window for online CEPA s.71 submissions – How-to guide for general information on how to submit a response.

If you determine you do not meet the reporting criteria of the notice, you may submit one of the following options:

• Declaration of Stakeholder Interest
  Persons not subject to the notice, but who have information the Government may find useful on a reportable substance(s), are highly recommended to submit this information through a Declaration of Stakeholder Interest (SHI) via Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Single Window online reporting system. This may include information on other related substances (not listed in the notice), activity for another calendar year, activity with a reportable substance under the thresholds or other non-reportable activity. This may also include activities that suggest the potential presence of PFAS (e.g., you are uncertain if your imported product contains PFAS). Stakeholder data supplementing a mandatory response to this notice can also be submitted via an SHI

When providing information through an SHI, please indicate if any of the information is confidential and provide a rationale. Information on data elements generally not expected to be confidential can be found in the Approach to disclose confidential information and promote transparency in chemicals management.

Follow the steps below to submit your SHI:

a) Login to your account and on the Chemicals Management Plan's "Reporting Dashboard" page, select the "Chemicals Management – General" initiative and start a new form. Ensure that you review the “Identification” page. On the “Substances to Report” page, select “SHI PFAS 2024” as the “Submission Purpose” and enter "PFAS" as the “Submission Title” and click “Save”

b) Upload any relevant documents under the "General Document Upload" page. Under the “Notes” box, indicate the substance identifier(s) from the notice and provide any other relevant documents or information. Save all pages and submit

Please note that an SHI submission must be submitted separately from a mandatory section 71 submission. A company submitting both SHI information and mandatory information must submit two submissions.

• Declaration of Non-Engagement
  Persons who do not meet the requirements of the notice and have no interest in the substances are encouraged to submit a Declaration of Non-Engagement (DNE) by email to the Substances Management Information Line
  
  Indicate “PFAS DNE” in the subject line of the email and specify your company name and its contact information

To help you determine if you are subject to the notice and for assistance with completing the sections of the notice, refer to the Guidance document for responding to the Notice with respect to certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

For general inquiries, please contact us and use the subject line "PFAS Notice Inquiry".