The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) has issued a Final PFAS Labeling Order, formally establishing approved disclosure language for consumer products that contain intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Effective July 1, 2026, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers will be prohibited from manufacturing, selling, offering for sale, or distributing covered products in Connecticut unless those products carry clear and conspicuous PFAS labeling using CT DEEP-approved wording.

The order implements Connecticut’s broader PFAS-in-Products law, removing uncertainty around acceptable disclosure of language and ensuring consistent, transparent communication to consumers across regulated product categories.

Regulatory Background

Connecticut’s PFAS regulatory framework aims to:

  • Increase consumer awareness of PFAS use in everyday products
  • Support long-term PFAS reduction and phase-out initiatives
  • Align with PFAS disclosure and restriction programs adopted by other U.S. states, including Maine, Minnesota, and California

Under Connecticut General Statutes §22a-903, CT DEEP is required to define the words, phrases, or symbols that adequately notify consumers when a product contains intentionally added PFAS. The Final Order fulfills this statutory obligation.

Scope of the Final Order

Substances Covered
  • Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
  • Applies only to intentionally added PFAS
  • Trace contamination and unavoidable impurities are not the focus of this requirement
Products Subject to Labeling

When PFAS are intentionally added, labeling is required for the following product categories:

  • Apparel
  • Carpets and rugs
  • Cleaning products
  • Cookware
  • Cosmetic products
  • Dental floss
  • Fabric treatments
  • Juvenile products
  • Menstruation products
  • Textile furnishings
  • Ski wax
  • Upholstered furniture

Important:

If a covered product is used as a component within another product, the final assembled product must also display the PFAS disclosure.

Approved PFAS Labeling Language

CT DEEP has approved the following disclosure statements for use on product packaging, labels, or the product itself:

  • “Contains PFAS”
  • “Made with PFAS”
  • “Made with PFAS chemicals”
  • “Made with intentionally added PFAS”
  • “This product contains PFAS chemicals”
Key Compliance Requirements

Labeling must be:

  • Clear and legible
  • Conspicuous at the point of sale
  • Explicit that PFAS are present due to intentional use
Alternative Language or Symbols

Manufacturers may propose alternative wording or symbols; however:

  • Prior CT DEEP approval is required
  • Alternatives must provide equal or greater consumer clarity
  • Approval is granted on a case-by-case basis

Effective Date and Market Impact

Compliance Deadline: July 1, 2026

From this date forward, any covered product containing intentionally added PFAS may not be sold or distributed in Connecticut without compliant labeling. The order does not specify a grace period following the effective date.

Enforcement and Compliance Considerations

While the Final Order does not outline specific penalties, non-compliance may lead to:

  • Enforcement under Connecticut environmental and consumer protection laws
  • Product withdrawal or sales bans
  • Reputational and commercial risk

Compliance responsibility applies throughout the supply chain, including manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers supplying the Connecticut market.

Broader policy context

The PFAS labeling requirement is widely viewed as a transitional regulatory measure, preceding:

  • Future PFAS use prohibitions
  • Expanded product category coverage
  • Potential harmonization with multi-state PFAS restriction frameworks

Companies should anticipate increasing regulatory pressure beyond disclosure, particularly for non-essential PFAS uses.

Why does this matter?

PFAS are highly persistent chemicals linked to growing environmental and health concerns. Connecticut’s Final PFAS Labeling Order reflects a broader U.S. regulatory trend toward mandatory chemical transparency as a precursor to restriction and bans.

For affected companies, early compliance planning is critical to maintain market access in Connecticut and to future-proof product portfolios against rapidly evolving PFAS regulation nationwide.

Source: Connecticut PFAS Labeling Rule

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