G/SPS/N/CAN/1545  
5 February 2024  
(24-0858) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English/French  
 
  NOTIFICATION  
1. Notifying Member:  CANADA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible:  Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)  
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, 
where applicable):  Municipal biosolids imported as fertilizers - HS codes: 38.25.20 
(Sewage sludge) and 38.25.10 (Municipal waste)  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[X] All trading partners   
[ ] Specific regions or countries:   
5. Title of the notified document:  Implementation of the interim per - and polyfluoroalkyl 
substances standard for municipal biosolids imported o r sold in Canada as fertilizers . 
Language(s):  English and French . Number of pages:  6 
https://inspection.canada.ca/about -cfia/transparency/consultations -and-
engagem ent/interim -standards -for-pfas/proposed -
implementation/eng/1702577217483/1702577217936  
6. Description of content:  The interim standard for PFAS in biosolids is based on the 
concentration of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) used as an indicator which cannot 
exceed 50 ppb (parts per billion) of the final product per kg of dry weight. Compliance with 
the limit will be ve rified at import and through domestic inspection via a certificate of 
analysis (CoA) generated by the importer using a standard method for testing and an 
accredited laboratory. The CoA will have to be accompanied by an attestation of its validity 
(template  form will be provided by the CFIA). The interim standard for PFAS is part of GoC 
suite of measures aimed at reducing human and environmental exposure to PFAS which 
are highly persistent and toxic organic pollutants. The CFIA's standard for municipal 
biosolids focuses on the end of the product's life cycle, namely disposal of industrial and 
household wastes. It will prohibit the importation of heavily contaminated biosolids thus 
minimizing risks to agricultural crops, soil health and productivity, plants, a nimals and the 
food supply chain.  
7. Objective and rationale: [X]  food safety, [X]  animal health, [X]  plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [  ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.   G/SPS/N/CAN/1545  
 
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  8. Is there a relevant inte rnational standard? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text) :  
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter nu mber) :  
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :  
[X] None  
Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?  
[ ] Yes   [  ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:   
9. Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  
https://inspection.canada.ca/about -cfia/transparency/consultations -and-
engagement/interim -standards -for-pfas/proposed -
implementation/eng/1702577217483/1702577217936  
10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) : 1 April 2024  
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : 1 April 2024  
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [  ] Six months from date of publication , and/or  
(dd/mm/yy) : 1 October 2024 
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [X]  Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 5 April 2024  
Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [  ] National Notification 
Authority, [X]  National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if 
available) of other body:   
13. Text(s) available from: [  ] National Notification Authority, [X]  National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other body:   
Canada's SPS and TBT Notification Authority and Enquiry Point  
Technical Barriers and Regulations Division  
Global Affairs Canada  
111 Sussex Drive  
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2  
Tel: +(343) 203 4273  
Fax: +(613) 943 0346  
E-mail: enquirypoint@international.gc.ca