Canada adds PFAS to NPRI Part 1C reporting list

1. Introduction & Overview

The National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) is Canada’s database tracking the release, transfer, and disposal of substances that may harm the environment or human health. It publishes facility-level data to support environmental protection and public awareness.

Substances are categorized by reporting thresholds and type of concern, including core chemicals, low-threshold chemicals, PFAS, PAHs, dioxins/furans, and air-quality contaminants like VOCs. The Canada Gazette provides the official list and definitions (e.g., manufactured, processed, or otherwise used quantities) that determine annual reporting under CEPA.

Overall, the NPRI is a transparent, public tool that informs environmental management and policy by tracking harmful pollutants according to structured reporting requirements.

2. Background & Legislative Context

2.1 NPRI Origins

The NPRI was launched in 1993 in response to global calls for improved pollution tracking. Over time it has evolved significantly, expanding the number and types of substances tracked and improving data quality.

2.2 Legal Authority — Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), 1999

The authority for the NPRI is rooted in the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). Under CEPA:

• The government can designate substances to be on the NPRI.
• Facilities that meet reporting criteria must report quantities released, disposed, or transferred.
• Regulations (published in the Canada Gazette) establish thresholds and reporting details.

In short, CEPA provides the legal foundation requiring that regulated facilities disclose pollutant release and transfer data.

3. Substance List Structure & Organization

The substances in the NPRI list are organized into five parts, each with distinct reporting thresholds and criteria. The NPRI structure reflects differences in how substances behave, how they are used industrially, and their potential to affect human and ecological health.

For the 2025 reporting year, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has expanded the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) by introducing a new substance category: Part 1, Group C, dedicated to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

A total of 163 individual PFAS substances have been added to the NPRI substance list. These substances are now subject to mandatory reporting by facilities that meet the applicable employee and substance thresholds.

4. Reporting Thresholds Explained

A reporting threshold determines when a facility must report its release or transfer of a substance:

• Manufactured, Processed, or Otherwise Used (MPO) refers to any facility activity involving the substance above a defined quantity.
• Each NPRI substance has its own quantitative threshold (e.g., 10 tonnes, 100 kg, 1 kg). If a facility activity meets or exceeds that threshold, reporting is required.

Thresholds are designed to balance meaningful environmental information with feasibility for industry reporting and monitoring.

5. Significance & Uses of the Substance List

The NPRI Substance List and associated data serve multiple critical functions, supporting environmental protection, regulatory compliance, scientific research, and public engagement. The expanded roles can be grouped into three main areas:

5.1 Environmental Transparency

The NPRI fosters environmental transparency by making information about pollutant releases and transfers publicly available, including:

• Access to Detailed Data: Citizens, NGOs, academics, and other stakeholders can view the amounts of pollutants released to air, water, or land, as well as substances transferred off-site for recycling, treatment, or disposal.
• Facility-Level Reporting: Data is often reported at the facility level, meaning communities can see which industrial operations in their region release specific substances.
• Pollutant Behavior Insight: Transparency extends beyond mere numbers; the NPRI provides information on pollutant types, quantities, and release pathways, helping the public understand how chemicals move in the environment.
• Encouraging Best Practices: Public disclosure often motivates companies to reduce emissions, adopt cleaner technologies, and improve waste management practices due to reputational incentives.

Impact: Promotes an informed society and empowers communities to advocate for environmental protection.

5.2 Regulatory Accountability

The NPRI also serves as a key regulatory tool under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA, 1999):

• Mandatory Reporting: Facilities meeting substance-specific thresholds must report their pollutant releases and transfers.
• Consistency Across Sectors: By standardizing reporting requirements, NPRI ensures that all industries—manufacturing, mining, energy, and more—follow a uniform compliance framework.
• Monitoring and Enforcement: Regulatory authorities can verify compliance and identify facilities that exceed release thresholds, enabling timely inspection, enforcement, or corrective action.
• Policy Alignment: Reporting aligns with broader environmental policies such as air quality management, climate action plans, and chemical management strategies.

Impact: Enhances accountability of industrial operations while maintaining fairness and consistency in environmental oversight.

5.3 Scientific and Policy Research

Researchers, environmental scientists, and policymakers rely heavily on NPRI data to support evidence-based decision making:

• Trend Analysis: NPRI data helps track temporal and geographic trends in pollutant releases, identifying whether emissions are increasing or decreasing and which sectors contribute most.
• Air Quality & Health Studies: Data on criteria air contaminants (CACs) and VOCs is used to assess air pollution impacts on human health, guiding health advisories and mitigation strategies.
• Risk Assessment: Persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substances (PBTs), such as dioxins, furans, and PFAS, are monitored to understand long-term ecological and human health risks.
• Policy Development: NPRI informs environmental policy, regulatory standards, and emission reduction programs at both federal and provincial levels.
• Benchmarking & Evaluation: Policymakers use NPRI to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental regulations, voluntary initiatives, and industrial best practices.

Impact: Provides a scientific foundation for environmental regulation, pollution prevention, and sustainable industrial development.

5.4 Combined Benefits

• Supports public trust through transparency.
• Strengthens legal and regulatory enforcement.
• Enables scientific, evidence-based policy decisions.
• Encourages continuous improvement in industrial environmental performance.

In essence, the NPRI bridges data collection, public access, and environmental management, serving as a cornerstone of Canada’s environmental monitoring framework.

6. Supporting Resources & Documentation

7. Example Substances (2025–2027)

The list includes hundreds of entries. An excerpt shows:

(Note: This is a very small sample from a much longer inventory, click here to access the complete inventory)

8. Conclusion

The NPRI “Substance List by Threshold” is a key informational resource in Canada’s environmental regulatory system. It supports:

• Public transparency on pollutant releases.
• Regulatory compliance under CEPA.
• Environmental risk assessment and policy analysis.

By categorizing substances by reporting thresholds and types, the NPRI ensures that pollutants of greatest concern are identified, tracked, and publicly documented.

Source:

Guide for reporting to the National Pollutant Release Inventory

National Pollutant Release Inventory – Substances-list – Threshold