Canadian businesses are now required to provide information concerning per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that were manufactured, imported or used as a standalone substance – in mixtures or in articles – in 2023.

  • PFAS is an acronym that describes a type of man-made chemical that has been used in manufacturing and consumer products since the 1940s.
  • Referred to as “forever chemicals” because they sometimes take hundreds or thousands of years to break down, PFAS chemicals have been proven to have the potential to cause health risks such as cancer, hypertension, high cholesterol and other issues.


According to a notice published last month under section 71 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the reporting requirements will be applicable to 312 PFAS compounds.

Canadian promotional products firms are expected to electronically report on specific PFAS identities, uses, production volumes and disposal, among other information.

  • The information needs to be submitted by January 29, 2025, through the Environment and Climate Change Canada’s single window reporting system.
  • Failing to comply will result in penalties and fines, which can range from a maximum of $25,000 for an individual to a maximum of $500,000 for a large corporation for just the first offense.
  • An extension may be requested prior to the reporting deadline by contacting the Minister of the Environment at substances@ec.gc.ca.


“This helps highlight the importance of good record-keeping, proactive compliance strategies and staying up to date with international standards so that promo companies operating in or shipping product to Canada can stay ahead of the curve,” says Elizabeth Wimbush, director of sustainability and responsibility at PPAI.

Guidance manual_s71 PFAS (1)Download

Promo Perspective

PPAI Media has repeatedly covered “The Chemical Dilemma” as it pertains to promotional products. Several companies, including those in the promo industry, are in the process of evaluating how to remove PFAS chemicals from their products.

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Global studies indicate that PFAS chemicals are a problem for which the scope and the cause extends far outside of promo. However, it’s the type of revelation that will likely stir justified fear and action in many policymakers in coming years.

  • For example, Canada has also recently updated its Risk Management Scope for PFAS, introducing a multi-step approach for future PFAS regulation, which is open for public comment until September 11.

“This is an important topic at our Product Responsibility Summit, where we encourage open discussion and expert opinion sharing to collaboratively keep our industry on track,” Wimbush says.

  • Register now for PPAI’s Product Responsibility Summit, which takes place in Alexandria, Virginia from September 22-24.