In 1986, California voters addressed growing concerns over toxic chemical exposure. The resulting initiative was coined the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic enforcement as of 1986, commonly referred to as Proposition 65. The mandate requires the State of California to curate a list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. Since 1987, the annual update list has grown to over 800 chemicals. Proposition 65 guidelines require disclosure of any significant amount of listed chemicals found in homes, the workplace, or other environments.
Proposition 65 PDF
(Download Here)
- Article 1. Preamble and Definitions
- Article 2. Guideline and Safe Use Determination Procedures
- Article 3. Science Advisory Board: Carcinogen Identification Committee and Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant (Dart) Identification Committee
- Article 4. Discharge
- Article 5. Extent of Exposure
- Article 6. Clear and Reasonable Warnings
- Article 7. No Significant Risk Levels
- Article 8. No Observable Effect Levels
- Article 9. Miscellaneous
New Requirements for Proposition 65 Warnings
- A graphic depiction of a yellow triangle containing an exclamation point.
- Specify at least one chemical for which the warning is being provided if the label is not included in the product or packaging.
- Include the website:
- https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/
What Exemptions Does Proposition 65 Apply?
- Businesses with less than 10 employees
- Businesses are exempt from warning requirements if discharge levels are low enough that they create no significant risk of cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm.
- Government agencies
What Are Safe Harbor Numbers?
To guide businesses in determining whether a warning is necessary or whether discharges of a chemical into drinking water sources are prohibited, OEHHA has developed safe harbor levels for many Proposition 65 chemicals. A safe harbor level identifies a level of exposure to a listed chemical that does not require a Proposition 65 warning. A business does not need to provide a warning if exposure to a chemical occurs at or below these levels. These safe harbor levels consist of No Significant Risk Levels for chemicals listed as causing cancer and Maximum Allowable Dose Levels for chemicals listed as causing birth defects or other reproductive harm. OEHHA has established more than 300 safe harbor levels and continues to develop more levels for listed chemicals.
Acceptable Risk Levels
- § 25701. General
- § 25703. Quantitative Risk Assessment.
- § 25705. Specific Regulatory Levels Posing NO Significant Risk.
- § 25707. Routes of Exposure.
- § 25709. Exposure to TRACE Elements.
- § 25711. Levels Based on State or Federal Standards.
- § 25713. Exposure to Food, Drugs, Cosmetics and Medical Devices. [Repealed]
- § 25721. Level of Exposure to Chemicals Causing Cancer.
