Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

On this page

• Overview
  • Notice of intent
• Information gathering
  • 2024 Mandatory section 71 notice
• Timelines
• State of PFAS report

Overview

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of thousands of human-made substances. Some typical uses of PFAS include as surfactants, lubricants, and repellents (for dirt, water, and grease). PFAS can also be found in certain firefighting foams, food packaging, drugs, cosmetics, sunscreens, pesticides, textiles (for example, carpets, furniture, and clothing), non-stick cookware, vehicles, and electronics. New PFAS are continually being developed and notified to the Government of Canada. New PFAS are assessed for potential risks to human health and the environment and, if appropriate, control measures are put in place before they are imported into or manufactured in Canada.

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; 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

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. 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 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.

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 the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The notice will gather baseline data and will support analysis for future actions.

More information is available on the Information gathering initiatives web page.

State of PFAS report

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 Polyfluoroakyl substances (PFAS) Report and a Revised Risk Management Scope for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) have been 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.

A summary of comments received on the initial draft report and risk management scope (published in May 2023), and the Government's responses is available.