California Prop 65 - New Warnings Required

Effective August 30, 2018!

California Prop 65 Regulations Require New “Safe Harbor” Warning Signs

Companies that do business in the state of California are required to provide a warning before exposing any person to chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects and other reproductive harm.


California Prop 65 Consumer Product Exposure Warning Sign	California Prop 65 Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverage Exposure Sign for Restaurants

What’s new?

California has adopted new “safe harbor” regulations that businesses may use to ensure compliance with Prop 65 warning requirements. The new regulations require safe harbor warnings to:

Include the name of at least one chemical prompting the warning
Include the new Prop 65 website
Display a triangular warning symbol and the signal word, WARNING, on most warnings
Use specifically-worded warnings, where required

What is Proposition 65 (“Prop 65”)?

Prop 65 (officially, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986) requires businesses to provide a “clear and reasonable” warning prior to exposing anyone to significant levels of a listed chemical. The state maintains a list of over 850 harmful chemicals that require a warning.

Prop 65 regulations provide “safe harbor” warnings that businesses can use to comply with the law. Safe harbor warnings are deemed to be “clear and reasonable.”

What changed?

The Prop 65 safe harbor warning requirements have changed. New safe harbor regulations require certain terminology, symbols, and format to be used to communicate a safe harbor warning. The new safe harbor regulations also require the use of “tailored” warnings for specified industries and exposures. Businesses relying on safe harbor warnings must comply with the new warning requirements by August 30, 2018.

How can businesses comply with new Prop 65 safe harbor warning requirements?

Choose one of Compliance Poster Company’s Prop 65 safe harbor warning fill-in posters which are designed so that chemical names and sources of exposure can be identified based on each business’ needs
Post one of Compliance Poster Company’s Prop 65 tailored warning posters
Ensure that Prop 65 warnings are posted at each point of exposure

We have many safe harbor warning poster options for your needs. Just search for “Prop 65” on our website. If you have questions about which poster is right for you, give us a call. We’d be happy to guide you.