The federal government of Canada has opened public consultations on proposed restrictions for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting foams, marking the first phase in a broader effort to manage the class of persistent chemicals under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).
The 60-day consultation period, launched September 26 and closing November 25, 2025, invites comments on proposed measures to prohibit the manufacture, import, use, and sale of PFAS — excluding fluoropolymers — not currently regulated in firefighting foams.
The proposal follows the release of the federal State of PFAS Report in March 2025, which concluded that the class of PFAS, with the exception of fluoropolymers, is “toxic” under CEPA. The report found that PFAS meet two criteria under section 64 of the Act: they may cause long-term harm to the environment and pose potential risks to human health.
PFAS are widely used in products ranging from firefighting foams and non-stick coatings to electronics and cosmetics, as well as in a wide range of industrial processes.
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Phased management plan
The federal government’s risk management approach outlines a three-phase plan to reduce releases of PFAS into the Canadian environment and lower human exposure:
- Phase 1 focuses on firefighting foams, given their high potential for environmental and human exposure.
- Phase 2 targets consumer applications not deemed essential for safety or health, such as certain textiles, ski waxes, and food packaging materials.
- Phase 3 will consider uses with limited alternatives, including medical devices, transportation, and military applications.
Comments received through the new consultation will help inform the design of Phase 1 regulations, including possible transition periods and concentration thresholds for incidental PFAS contamination in Class B firefighting foams.
Firefighting foams containing PFAS — known as aqueous film-forming foams, or AFFFs — are used to extinguish flammable liquid fires. Canada already regulates two categories of AFFF, “PFOS-based” and “C8” foams, but not the remaining “C6” formulations, which are the focus of the current PFAS consultation.
More than 400 comments were submitted during earlier PFAS consultations held prior to the March 2025 report. The government has acknowledged that PFAS play roles in many sectors and that some uses may be critical for safety, health, or economic reasons. Industry stakeholders will be invited to help identify viable alternatives and ensure that new restrictions balance environmental protection with economic feasibility.
Fluoropolymers, a subset of PFAS with carbon-only backbones, were excluded from the government’s toxicity findings due to differing exposure and hazard profiles. However, officials say further study is planned to determine whether these substances warrant future action.
If finalized, the proposed measures would support the addition of PFAS — excluding fluoropolymers — to Part 2 of Schedule 1 of CEPA, a step that enables future risk management instruments to be developed.
Stakeholders have until November 25, 2025, to submit feedback on the proposed approach.
