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

The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) intends to list perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (CAS RN 335-67-1) as known to the state to cause cancer under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65).  This action is being proposed pursuant to the “Authoritative Bodies” listing mechanism.

The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has selected bisphenol A (BPA) for the Carcinogen Identification Committee (CIC)’s review for possible listing under Proposition 65.

A meeting of the Proposition 65 Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee (DARTIC) was held via webcast and webinar on December 14, 2021. The main agenda items were committee consideration of perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and its salts and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and its salts as known to the state to cause reproductive toxicity (based on male reproductive toxicity)

A meeting of the Proposition 65 Carcinogen Identification Committee (CIC) was held via webcast and webinar on December 6, 2021. The main agenda item was committee consideration of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and its salts and transformation and degradation precursors as known to the state to cause cancer. A summary of the meeting is provided.

Effective December 31, 2021, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is adding Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and its salts to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause reproductive toxicity for purposes of the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65).