New Mexico Environment Department

US judge blocks New Mexico PFAS product labelling rule

A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction halting New Mexico's PFAS Protection Act labelling rule, which would have required manufacturers to flag consumer products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from 2027. The American Chemistry Council and the National Association of Manufacturers, with six other trade groups, sued the state environment department on 1 July 2026, arguing the mandate violated First Amendment protection of commercial speech. New Mexico's environment secretary said the state plans to challenge the injunction.

Why this mattersA win for manufacturers over mandatory PFAS labelling could slow similar state rules that would force packaging and product redesign across the US.

• US District Judge Margaret Strickland issued the preliminary injunction on 16 September 2026, blocking enforcement of the labelling rule.
• The rule stems from New Mexico's PFAS Protection Act, enacted in 2025, with the labelling requirement due to take effect in 2027.
• The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board approved the rule in March 2026.
• The American Chemistry Council, the National Association of Manufacturers and six other manufacturing organisations sued the New Mexico Environment Department on 1 July 2026.
• The judge found the state had not shown the label was a rational means of protecting consumer and environmental health.
• Colorado, California and Connecticut have passed similar labelling rules using the same PFAS definition.

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