Proposition 65

Proposition 65, officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, was enacted as a ballot initiative in November 1986. The proposition protects the state's drinking water sources from being contaminated with chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm, and requires businesses to inform Californians about exposures to such chemicals.

Proposition 65 requires the state to maintain and update a list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.

Questions?

Questions about Proposition 65? Check our Frequently asked Questions page or visit our Proposition 65 Warnings website

About Proposition 65

The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act

The Proposition 65 List

The current Proposition 65 list is dated December 29, 2023

Meetings, Hearings and Workshops

Upcoming and past meetings, hearings and workshops

Notices

All Proposition 65 Notices

Laws and Regulations

Links and downloads related to Proposition 65 statute and regulations

Warnings

Visit this website to learn about warnings for exposures to chemicals on the Proposition 65 List

How chemicals are added to the Proposition 65 list

Learn how chemicals are added to the list

Safe Use Determinations

A Safe Use Determination (SUD) is a written statement issued by OEHHA, which interprets and applies Proposition 65 and its implementing regulations to a specific set of facts in response to a request by a business or a trade group

Interpretive Guidelines for Proposition 65

An Interpretive Guideline interprets Proposition 65 and its implementing regulations, as applied to specific facts

New Warning Regulations

Clear and reasonable warnings

Searchable Proposition 65 Chemical Database

Search the Proposition 65 Chemical Database

Safe harbor levels

Proposition 65 No Significant Risk Levels (NSRLs) and Maximum Allowable Dose Levels (MADLs)

Upcoming Events

Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment proposes to amend Article 6 of Title 27 of the California Code of Regulations, section 25607.2. OEHHA is proposing a new safe harbor warning for significant exposures to acrylamide in food. This would be in addition to the applicable safe harbor warnings that already apply to such exposures under existing law. The warning content and methods provided in the safe harbor regulations are deemed “clear and reasonable” by OEHHA for purposes of the Act.

Fri, 04/05/2024 to Mon, 05/20/2024

Reports, Notices, Documents

Apr 5, 2024: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Title 27, California Code of Regulations Safe Harbor Warnings for Acrylamide Exposure from Food
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment proposes to amend Article 6 of Title 27 of the California Code of Regulations, section 25607.2. OEHHA is proposing a new safe harbor warning for significant exposures to acrylamide in food. This would be in addition to the applicable safe harbor warnings that already apply to such exposures under existing law. The warning content and methods provided in the safe harbor regulations are deemed “clear and reasonable” by OEHHA for purposes of the Act.
Mar 29, 2024: Overview of the February 2024 Meeting of the Carcinogen Identification Committee
The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment convened a meeting of the CIC on February 27th, 2024. The meeting opened with a session on enzyme polymorphisms and susceptibility to carcinogenicity, including presentations from invited speakers and discussions with the Committee. The presentations and discussion will help inform future cancer hazard identification work at OEHHA. The Committee also discussed OEHHA’s proposal to streamline several sections of cancer hazard identification documents.
Mar 22, 2024: No Significant Risk Levels for Ethylene Oxide
The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) decided to withdraw the proposed rulemaking intended to update the No Significant Risk Level for Ethylene Oxide.

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