June 18, 2024
On October 18, 2024, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will begin enforcing an interim standard for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolids imported or sold in Canada as fertilizers. This standard is designed to mitigate the potential risks to human health and the environment associated with land application of heavily contaminated biosolids sold as commercial fertilizer.
The CFIA's interim standard requires that biosolids contain less than 50 ppb (µg/kg) of per-fluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) as an indicator for PFAS chemicals, in order to be imported or sold in Canada.
Together with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Health Canada, and provincial partners, the CFIA is examining the level of risk to the food and feed chains posed by biosolids contaminated with PFAS, and developing a coordinated approach to protect human health and the safety of Canadian agriculture.
Biosolids are the solid phase of municipal wastewater treatment, often re-used and applied to land as a source of nutrients and organic matter. The CFIA regulates the importation and sale of biosolids as commercial fertilizers while the manufacture, use and disposal are regulated by the provinces and territories.
When treated and managed properly, biosolids can:
- be a source of beneficial nutrients and organic matter in agriculture
- divert organic material from landfills
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large scale operations, and
- generate biogas to be used as source of energy (heating, fuel, and electricity)
The interim standard was developed after careful consideration of its impacts on the waste diversion sector. Available data shows that at least 92% of Canadian biosolids would pass the interim standard. This means that while the interim standard will effectively prevent the small proportion of biosolids products that are heavily impacted by industrial inputs from being imported or sold as fertilizers in Canada, it should cause minimal disruption to waste-diversion efforts across Canada. This interim approach is intended to provide a risk control measure for biosolids that is protective of the environment and of the safety of food and feed crops grown in Canada.
The CFIA engaged with targeted stakeholders and provincial governments during the summer of 2023 and held a broad public consultation to seek feedback from the public from December 22 to February 20, 2024. Consult the What we heard report for a summary of the feedback received during the course of the two consultations.
Additionally, a detailed guidance document describing the interim standard and requirements for demonstrating compliance with the standard for importers, domestic generators, and processors of commercial biosolids is now available: T-4-132: PFAS standard for commercial biosolids imported or sold in Canada as fertilizers.
To import or sell biosolids, a laboratory certificate of analysis showing PFOS testing results and an accompanying attestation will be required.
Enforcement of the interim standard at import and domestic levels will begin October 18, 2024. This allows four months from the publication of this notice for importers and domestic producers of commercial biosolids to arrange for a laboratory to perform the testing and have the certificate of analysis and attestation prepared in advance of the October enforcement start-date.
Contact information
Fertilizer Safety Section
c/o Pre-market Application Submissions Office
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Phone: 1-855-212-7695
Email: cfia.paso-bpdpm.acia@inspection.gc.ca