Proposed Risk Management Strategy for Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), Its Salts and Its Precursors

The final ecological screening assessment reports for PFOS, its salts and its precursors was published in Part I of the Canada Gazette on July 1, 2006. The final ecological screening assessment report concluded that PFOS, its salts and its precursors are considered to meet the criteria set out in section 64(a) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999). It is also concluded that PFOS and its salts meet the criteria for persistence according to the CEPA 1999 Persistence and Bioaccumulation Regulations. The draft 2004 human health screening assessment report concludes that PFOS, its salts and its precursors do not meet the criteria set out in section 64(c) of CEPA 1999. As a result, its is proposed that PFOS, its salts and its precursors be added to the list of Toxic Substances under Schedule I of CEPA 1999.

The Ministers of the Environment and Health must propose CEPA 1999 control instruments respecting preventative or control action to manage these substances no later than July 1, 2008. Furthermore, the proposed instruments must be implemented within 18 months thereafter. I am pleased to inform you that the proposed Risk Management Strategy respecting PFOS, its salts and its precursors is now available for online consultations. A copy of the proposed Risk Management Strategy has also been mailed directly to stakeholders.

The proposed Risk Management Strategy for PFOS, its salts and its precursors is intended to provide the framework for the development of the CEPA 1999 control instruments that are required to manage the environmental effects of these substances. The risk management objective is to achieve the lowest level of releases to the environment that is technically and economically feasible from all emissions sources of PFOS, its salts and its precursors.

The proposed Risk Management Strategy contains a brief description of the issue, background, current uses, known exposure sources, control measures in other jurisdictions and the proposed risk management approach for PFOS, its salts and its precursors.

The purpose of these consultations is to invite all interested and affected parties to provide their comments on the proposed Risk Management Strategy which will contribute to the development of control instruments under CEPA 1999. Based on the demand, a multi-stakeholder session may also be scheduled at a later date.

Environment Canada will review all written responses and any input received during consultation sessions that may be held and will take them into full account prior to developing control instruments under CEPA 1999.

Please send your written comments on the Risk Management Strategy by August 30, 2006 to the following address:

Regular mail:

Chemicals Management Division
Environment Canada
351 St. Joseph Blvd., Place Vincent Massey
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3

Email: GR-RM@ec.gc.ca
Fax: 819-994-0007

Please type "Consultation on PFOS Risk Management Strategy" in the subject line of your Email message.

John Buccini
Chemicals Sector Division
Environment Canada