Environment Canada and Climate Change / Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 4,700 substances that encompass a broad range of chemistries and adverse environmental effects have been observed for well-studied PFAS (e.g., perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanoic sulphate). As such, the Government of Canada is considering activities that would address PFAS as a class and a notice of intent in this regard was published in the Canada Gazette Part I: Vol 155 No 17 – April 24, 2021. A mandatory information gathering initiative (i.e., Section 71 Notice under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999) for PFAS was anticipated for Spring 2023, but is now scheduled to take place in the Fall 2023.    

On May 20, 2023, a State of PFAS Report and a Risk Management Scope for PFAS were published for a 60-day public comment period which ends on July 19, 2023. Comments received during this period will help inform the development of the final report and, if the proposed conclusion is confirmed in the final report, the risk management approach. In that case, any instruments to manage their risk is to be complementary to any existing or proposed regulations.  

Stakeholders are invited to submit relevant information or indicate their interest in being engaged in future discussions by emailing substances@ec.gc.ca. Stakeholders are also invited to subscribe to the Chemicals Management Plan subscription service to be kept informed of future information sessions and/or consultations 

Stakeholders and interested parties have opportunities to provide input to help inform Government of Canada activities related to addressing PFAS as a class. For more information, you can contact the team leading this work by emailing substances@ec.gc.ca.  

Back to Newsletters