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

On September 1, 2022, the Office of Administrative Law approved the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment’s proposal to amend Title 27, California Code of Regulations by adopting Sections 25607.48 and 25607.49

On August 4, 2022, the Office of Administrative Law approved amendments to Title 27, California Code of Regulations by adopting Sections 25697.38 through 24607.47 into Title 27 of the California Code of Regulations. The new sections address exposures to listed cannabis (marijuana) smoke and Delta-9-THC.

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has adopted an NSRL of 3.7 micrograms per day for exposures to 1,3-dichloropropene by the oral and inhalation routes.

The proposed rulemaking to amend the regulation related to short-form Proposition 65 warnings was initially noticed in the California Regulatory Notice Register in January 2021. OEHHA has allowed the rulemaking to lapse as provided for under the Administrative Procedure Act OEHHA intends to restart the rulemaking process on the short-form with a new regulatory proposal, informed by comments on the previous proposal, in the next several weeks.

The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has selected bisphenol S (BPS) for the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee  review for possible listing under Proposition 65 and is soliciting information relevant to the assessment of its reproductive toxicity.