Canada Gazette on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Canada announced the availability of its Draft State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report (Draft Report) in the Canada Gazette on May 20, 2023. Canada intends to conclude that the class of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) satisfies one or more of the criteria outlined in Section 64 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act of 1999 (CEPA). According to the notice, the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health (the ministers) intend to recommend the addition of PFAS to Schedule 1 of the CEPA List of Toxic Substances. The Draft Report provides a qualitative evaluation of the fate, sources, occurrence, and potential impacts of PFAS on the environment and human health in order to inform the decision-making process regarding PFAS in Canada. The ministers have released a document outlining the risk management scope for PFAS in order to initiate discussions with stakeholders regarding the development of risk management options.

The deadline for comments on the Draft Report and scope document for risk management is July 19, 2023.