What is Proposition 65?

Proposition 65, also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is a California law that requires businesses to provide a clear and reasonable warning to Californians about exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

The law requires businesses to give this warning before exposing Californians to any of the more than 900 chemicals listed by the state as known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. These chemicals can be found in a wide range of products, such as food, household goods, personal care products, and even in the air we breathe.

The warnings can be given in several ways, including labels on products, signs in workplaces or public spaces, and notices in catalogs or on websites. The warnings must be clear and reasonably calculated to inform people about the risk of exposure to these chemicals.

Proposition 65 also prohibits businesses from knowingly discharging these chemicals into sources of drinking water. The law is enforced by the California Attorney General’s Office and also allows private citizens to file lawsuits against businesses for violating the law.