NPRI 2025–2027 Reporting Updates: PFAS Added, Expanded Substance List, and New Monitoring Guidance
NPRI 2025–2027 Reporting Updates: PFAS Added, Expanded Substance List, and New Monitoring Guidance
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has introduced notable changes to the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) reporting requirements for the 2025–2027 reporting cycle.
Facilities across multiple sectors will need to reassess how they evaluate and report releases, as these changes include expanded substance lists, the addition of a new PFAS reporting category, and updated monitoring and calculation guidance.
Below is a brief outline of selected key changes.
PFAS Added as a New Reporting Category (Part 1C)
One of the most notable changes is the introduction of a new Part 1C reporting category for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals.”
PFAS are a broad class of synthetic chemicals widely used in industrial applications due to their resistance to heat, water, and oil. They are commonly found in coatings, firefighting foams, surface treatments, textiles, and are used in various manufacturing processes. Increasing regulatory scrutiny stems from their persistence in the environment and potential human health impacts.
Key PFAS Reporting Requirements
- 163 individual PFAS substances added
- Reporting threshold: 1 kg manufactured, processed, or otherwise used (MPO)
- Concentration threshold: 0.1%
- Threshold applies to each PFAS individually
Facilities must now evaluate PFAS content at a more granular level. Individual PFAS substances may trigger reporting obligations if the 1 kg MPO threshold is exceeded.
Expanded NPRI Substance Lists
In addition to PFAS, ECCC has expanded the NPRI substance lists across multiple reporting parts.
Updated Substance Counts
- Part 1 (total list – including Parts 1A, 1B, and 1C): Increased from 204 to 373 substances/groups
- Part 1B: Increased from 23 to 33 substances/groups
This expansion significantly broadens the number of substances that facilities must assess annually.
Notable Reclassifications and Additions
- Triarylmethane dyes added or reclassified
- C.I. Basic Green 4 moved to Part 1B
- Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) reclassified from Part 1A to Part 1B
- Includes incidental or by-product MPO quantities
Reclassification to Part 1B can have meaningful reporting implications, particularly where incidental generation or by-product creation occurs during combustion or industrial processes.
Updated Monitoring & MDL Guidance
Another important change relates to how facilities treat monitoring data – specifically the handling of detects and non-detects in mixed datasets.
Key Updates
- Clarified treatment of detects vs. non-detects
- Mean-of-results approach recommended for mixed datasets
- Replaces the previous half-MDL (Method Detection Limit) substitution approach
Historically, some facilities applied a half-MDL substitution method when dealing with non-detect values. The updated guidance recommends a more statistically representative approach using the mean of results when datasets contain both detected and non-detected values.
Need Support?
If you are unsure how the expanded substance lists or new PFAS reporting requirements apply to your facility, or if you would like to discuss how these changes may impact your facility, we would be happy to help.
Visit our Contact Us page to get in touch.
Learn More
To learn more, you can review the 2025–2027 NPRI reporting guidance published by Environment and Climate Change Canada.
The 2025–2027 Guide for Reporting to the NPRI is available by request from ECCC at:
inrp-npri@ec.gc.ca