Government Moving Ahead on PFAS Regulations

The refrigerants industry is being asked to comment on a consultation launched by Environment and Climate Change Canada on the Draft State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report and Risk Management Scope. Among other uses in textiles, firefighting foams, and food packaging, PFAS is used in refrigerants. The Government of Canada prepared a qualitative assessment of the fate, sources, occurrence, and potential impacts of PFAS on the environment and human health to inform decision-making on PFAS in Canada. On the basis of what is known about well-studied PFAS and the potential for other PFAS to behave similarly, the Government is proposing that substances in the class of PFAS are entering or may enter the environment at levels that are harmful or may be harmful to the environment and to human health. As a next step, the government is proposed risk management options such as:

·Regulatory and non-regulatory controls for PFAS in firefighting foams.

·Gathering information to identify and prioritize options for minimizing exposure to PFAS from other sources and products.

·Aligning with actions in other jurisdictions, where appropriate.