Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
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Overview
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of thousands of human-made substances. Some typical uses of PFAS include surfactants, lubricants, and repellents (for dirt, water, and grease). PFAS can also be found in certain firefighting foams (for example, aqueous film-forming foams), food packaging materials, drugs (including natural health products and non-prescription drugs), medical devices, cosmetics, pesticides, textiles (for example, carpets, furniture, and clothing), vehicles, and electronics. New PFAS are continually being developed and notified to the Government of Canada. New PFAS introduced to the Canadian marketplace continue to be assessed for potential risks to human health and the environment and would be subject to actions to address PFAS as a class that may be put in place.
Adverse environmental and health effects have been observed for well-studied PFAS [including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), and their salts and precursors] and they have been shown to pose a risk to the Canadian environment. In Canada, PFOS, PFOA, and LC-PFCAs (and their salts and precursors) are prohibited through regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA); however, scientific evidence to date indicates that other PFAS, including those used to replace regulated PFOS, PFOA, and LC-PFCAs may also be associated with environmental and human health effects of concern.
Notice of intent
A notice of intent to address the class of PFAS was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 155 No. 17 – April 24, 2021.In the notice of intent, the Government of Canada stated its intention to move forward with activities to address the class of PFAS. Considering PFAS as a class reduces the chance of regrettable substitution and better addresses situations where exposure occurs to multiple PFAS at the same time.
In the notice of intent, the Government committed to publish a state of PFAS report within 2 years.
Stakeholders and interested parties were invited to provide feedback on the notice of intent, and will have further opportunities to provide input on Government of Canada activities related to addressing PFAS as a class.
Timelines
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| March 8, 2025 | Publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, of a proposed order adding PFAS, excluding fluoropolymers (as defined in the state of PFAS report), to Part 2 of Schedule 1 to CEPA and start of 60-day public comment period. |
| March 8, 2025 | Publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, of the notice related to the State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report and the Risk Management Approach for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), Excluding Fluoropolymers and start of a 60-day public comment period on the risk management approach. |
| March 5, 2025 | Publication of the State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report and the Risk Management Approach for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), Excluding Fluoropolymers. A summary of public comments received on the updated draft report and the revised risk management scope (published in July 2024), and the Government's responses was also published. |
| July 27, 2024 | Publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, of a notice with respect to certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under section 71 of CEPA. |
| July 13, 2024 | Publication of the Updated Draft State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report and the Revised Risk Management Scope for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) for a 60-day public comment period. A summary of public comments received on the draft report and risk management scope (published in May 2023), and the Government's responses was also published. |
| May 20, 2023 | Publication of the Draft State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report and the Risk Management Scope for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and start of a 60-day public comment period. |
| May 20, 2023 | Publication of the Supporting Document: Ecological State of the Science Report on Short-chain PFCAs, Short-chain PFSAs, and Long-chain PFSAs. |
| April 24, 2021 | Publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, of a notice of intent to address the class of PFAS. |
Adding substances to Schedule 1
PFAS, excluding fluoropolymers (as defined in the state of PFAS report) have been proposed to be added to Part 2 of Schedule 1 to CEPA.
Proposed order adding PFAS: Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 159, No. 10 – March 8, 2025.
State of PFAS report
In March 2025, the State of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Report was published. The Risk Management Approach for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), Excluding Fluoropolymers was also published for a 60-day public comment period. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 159, No. 10 – March 8, 2025.
The report concluded that the class of PFAS, excluding fluoropolymers as defined in the report, meets 1 or more of the criteria set out in section 64 of CEPA.
Draft reports
In response to the commitment described in the notice of intent, the Government of Canada published a Draft State of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Report and a Risk Management Scope for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) for a 60-day public comment period. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 157, No. 20 – May 20, 2023.
Based on comments received and information submitted in response to the draft report, along with other information, an Updated Draft State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Report and a Revised Risk Management Scope for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) were published for another 60-day public comment period. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 158, No. 28 – July 13, 2024.
Comments received and information submitted during the comment periods were considered in the development of the latest report (published March 2025). Public comment summaries, including the Government's responses have been published for:
- the updated draft report and the revised risk management scope (published in July 2024)
- the initial draft report and risk management scope (published in May 2023)
Information gathering
2024 Mandatory section 71 notice
In July 2024, a notice with respect to certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) was issued in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 158, No. 30 – July 27, 2024, under section 71 of CEPA. The notice will gather baseline data and will support analysis for future actions.
More information is available on the Information gathering initiatives web page.
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