On March 5, 2025, the Government of Canada published its final State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report. Over 400 stakeholders provided feedback through public consultations on the previous two drafts from 2023 and 2024 (FPF reported).
PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” include more than 15,000 highly persistent substances that are widespread in the environment (FPF reported). They have also been found in humans and are associated with health impacts (FPF reported and here). PFAS are used in a range of products and commercial applications, including non-stick pans, because of their unique properties, such as their ability to repel oil and water.
Informed by the latest science, the Government of Canada examined PFAS as an entire class. While fluoropolymers are defined as one group of polymeric PFAS in the report, they were excluded from the analysis because “current evidence suggests that they may have different hazard profiles compared to the other PFAS.” The Government of Canada plans to study these substances further to ensure informed decision-making.
The report concluded that the class of PFAS, excluding fluoropolymers, is toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) based on two criteria:
- PFAS are entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that have or may have immediate or long-term harmful effects on the environment or its biological diversity; and
- PFAS are entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health
Based on these findings, the Government of Canada recommended adding PFAS as a class, excluding fluoropolymers, to Part 2 of Schedule 1 of CEPA to prevent regrettable substitutions. This proposal will enable targeted and phased approaches to risk management that balance economic feasibility, environmental protection, and reduced human exposure. The proposed process will take place in three phases:
- Phase 1 (starting in 2025): Address PFAS in firefighting foams (not currently regulated) due to high potential for environmental and human exposure
- Phase 2: Address the use of PFAS in consumer products where alternatives exist, such as certain textiles, ski waxes, building materials, and food packaging materials
- Phase 3: Evaluate sectors requiring further consideration through stakeholder engagement and further assessment
Public consultations on the proposed risk management approach are open for all interested parties until May 7, 2025.
Starting in 2025, manufacturing and other facilities in Canada will also be required to report their use of 163 different PFAS to the National Pollutant Release Inventory. This information will help to understand how PFAS are used in Canada, evaluate possible industrial PFAS contamination, and support efforts to reduce human and environmental exposure to these substances.
In 2012, the Government of Canada listed three subgroups of PFAS, including perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), in the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations. There are now plans to update this regulation in 2025 based on the State of PFAS Report.
Reference
Government of Canada (March 5, 2025). “State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report.”
Read more
Government of Canada (March 5, 2025). “Protecting Canadians’ health and Canada’s environment from “forever chemicals”.”
Government of Canada (March 5, 2025). “Government of Canada publishes State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report and proposed Risk Management Approach.”
