Proposition 65 Compliance

Occasionally, we receive questions concerning California Proposition 65 Warning Stickers on our products.

California is a very environmentally friendly state and is highly regulated, some may say over-regulated.

Some years ago, it passed legislation that places an affirmative duty on companies that sell or distribute products in that state to “warn” customers that such products “may” contain potentially dangerous elements.

Out of an abundance of caution, our company and most other companies have such warning labels on all of our products.

This does not mean that our company believes these products are dangerous, but in order to comply with the law those labels are affixed to our products and they speak for themselves.

Based on our research, here are some thoughts of THE CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING:

The state of California has taken the issue of ingredients in consumer products to a whole new level with its Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, known as "Proposition 65."

 

Originally, the proposition was intended to protect drinking water sources from chemical contamination. Over the years, however, the scope of the law has exploded. As the Los Angeles Times wrote recently, "Warnings (about Proposition 65) are everywhere: parking lots, hardware stores, hospitals and just about any decent-sized business."

 

Proposition 65 requires warning labels on products that may contain any of 800-plus chemicals or ingredients that the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) lists as a carcinogen or a reproductive toxicant. These include wood dust, brass and a multitude of other everyday elements. A flame retardant upholstery chemical currently required by the state of California to be added to upholstered furniture foams is now included among chemicals that require a warning under Proposition 65.

 

Many of the elements listed under Proposition 65 are common everyday additives found in products such as jewelry, lamps, ceramic tableware, lead crystal glasses, electric cords, automobiles, beauty products and furniture.

 

Because there is always a chance that wood dust or some other of the hundreds of ingredients listed in Proposition 65 could potentially be on our products or packing materials, we must include Proposition 65 warnings on our products or risk large fines under this law in California.

In addition, we are required to use the exact wording for this warning specified by California: "This product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm."

 

We realize that this warning sounds very alarming. However, we want to reassure you, that based upon our research, we do not believe that any of our products contain materials that reasonably could be construed to involve a health risk. However, in order to comply with State Law, the warnings must be attached and all consumers are duly warned.

The safety of our customers and our employees is of highest priority for our company. We are committed to offering high quality, safe products.