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

Proposition 65 Resources

About Proposition 65

The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act

The Proposition 65 List

The current Proposition 65 list is dated January 03, 2025

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, interpreting and applying Proposition 65 regulations to specific facts in response to a request by a business or trade group

Interpretive Guidelines for Proposition 65

An Interpretive Guideline interprets Proposition 65 regulations as applied to specific facts

Information Letters

Letters about Proposition 65's application from OEHHA to interested parties

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)

Reports, Notices, Documents

Notice of intent to list nine chemicals via the authoritative bodies mechanism or the formally required mechanism as known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity: Nitromethane, Tetrafluoroethylene, Vinyl fluoride, Spironolactone, Stanozolol, Clarithromycin, Dihydroergotamine mesylate, Hydroxyurea, Oxymetholone

Notice of postponement of prioritization of carbamazepine and progesterone for possible consideration by the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee.

Meeting of the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee to consider listing inorganic arsenic and cadmium.

Announcement of Wednesday, December 4, 1996 meeting of the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee to consider inorganic arsenic, cadmium, mechanisms for removing chemicals from the Proposition 65 list, and prioritization.

Notice of meeting of the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant (DART) Identification Committee and draft agenda. Chemicals to be reviewed include inorganic arsenic and cadmium.