Proposition 65

What is Proposition 65?

Proposition 65, formally known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is a landmark California law aimed at safeguarding public health by reducing exposure to harmful chemicals. The law requires businesses to provide clear and visible warnings if their products, operations, or facilities expose individuals to chemicals that are known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. These chemicals can be present in everyday items, such as food packaging, electronics, household products, or industrial environments, as well as in emissions that can contaminate air, water, and soil.

The primary goal of Proposition 65 is to inform Californians so they can make educated choices about the products they buy and the environments they enter. By law, businesses must place warning labels on products or post signs in areas where exposure to harmful substances may occur. The law covers a wide range of chemicals, including those naturally occurring or resulting from manufacturing processes. Even the presence of lead in components like control boards or the facilities where products are made may require a warning label, reflecting how stringent the regulations are.