What is Prop 65 (Proposition 65)?

Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is administered by California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). It requires businesses to give a clear and reasonable warning before knowingly exposing people in California to a listed chemical, unless the exposure is below a safe harbor level. The list includes hundreds of chemicals, among them lead, certain phthalates and BPA.

Businesses with fewer than 10 employees are exempt, but responsibility generally sits with manufacturers, importers and distributors. Enforcement often comes from private enforcers who send notices of violation, which can lead to settlements and legal costs.

If your products may reach California, either test for listed chemicals (for example lead in coatings, brass and ceramic glazes, or phthalates in vinyl) or provide compliant warnings. Specify restricted materials to the factory before production. Beato can arrange testing for goods bought through Beato.

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