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

December 5, 2018: Notice of Public Hearing and Extension of Public Comment Period Amendments to Section 25600.2 Responsibility to Provide Consumer Products Exposure Warnings

OEHHA has scheduled a public hearing on Thursday, January 3, 2019, at the George Alexeeff Environmental Health Library, Suite 1604, 16th Floor, 1515 Clay Street, Oakland, CA 94612 and the comment period is extended to 5:00 pm, Friday, January 11, 2019.

November 23, 2018: Notice of Intent to List: p-Chloro-α,α,α-trifluorotoluene (Para-Chlorobenzotrifluoride, PCBTF)

OEHHA is requesting comments as to whether p‑chloro‑α,α,α-trifluorotoluene meets the criteria set forth in the Proposition 65 regulations for authoritative bodies listings. In order to be considered, OEHHA must receive comments by 5:00 p.m. on December 24, 2018.

November 23, 2018: Chemicals Listed Effective November 23, 2018 as Known to the State of California to Cause Cancer: Gentian Violet and N-Nitrosohexamethyleneimine

At a public meeting on November 1, 2018, the Carcinogen Identification Committee (CIC) in its official capacity as the “state’s qualified experts” (SQE) determined that gentian violet and N-nitrosohexamethyleneimine were clearly shown by scientifically valid testing according to generally accepted principles to cause cancer.

November 23, 2018: Notice of Modification of Chemical Listing by the Labor Code Mechanism Effective November 23, 2018: Alcoholic Beverages

The basis for the modification of the listing was described in a public notice published in the August 3, 2018 issue of the California Regulatory Notice Register (Register 2018, No. 31-Z).

November 16, 2018: Proposed Amendments to Article 6 Clear and Reasonable Warnings Section 25600.2 Responsibility to Provide Consumer Products Exposure Warnings

In August 2016, OEHHA adopted the new Article 6 of Title 27, California Code of Regulations, Section 25600 et seq. OEHHA adopted amendments to the regulations on November 20, 2017 to clarify and make more specific certain provisions of Article 6. Based upon questions received and additional input from stakeholders, this rulemaking proposes additional clarifying changes to Section 25600.2, subsections (b), (c), and (f).