Summary of Certification Content

Proposition 65, also known as the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, was unanimously passed by an overwhelming majority of California residents in November 1986. This proposal is implemented by the Environmental Health Hazard Assessment Agency (OEHHA) under the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA).

The proposal stipulates that individuals engaged in trading with 10 or more employees (unless otherwise exempted) must affix clear and reasonable warning labels on products containing chemicals that are known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity to avoid contact with humans, and must not discharge such chemicals into drinking water. Consumer product warnings can be placed directly on the product label or in a prominent location near the store products.

Proposition 65 lists approximately 800 chemicals that have been identified by California authorities as carcinogenic or reproductive toxic. The list of such chemicals includes a large number of naturally occurring and artificially synthesized chemicals, including additives or ingredients used in insecticides, ordinary household products, food, drugs, dyes or solvents. They can be used in manufacturing and construction industries, as well as as as by-products of chemical processes such as motor vehicle exhaust. The listed chemical substances include tobacco smoke, metals (such as lead, cadmium, and nickel), and organic chemicals (such as phthalates: BBP, DBP, DEHP, DIDP, DnHP, etc., and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: benzopyrene, etc.).

California Proposition 65 (1)

California Proposition 65 has been committed to reducing exposure to toxic chemicals for over 20 years since its promulgation.

It allows California residents to eliminate carcinogens and reproductive toxic chemicals in consumer goods and industry through certain means. Since the formulation of Proposition 65, numerous lawsuits involving toxic chemicals in consumer goods have emerged in California, leading the implementation of a series of restrictive standards throughout the United States.

Proposition 65, also known as the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, was unanimously passed by an overwhelming majority of California residents in November 1986. This proposal is implemented by the Environmental Health Hazard Assessment Agency (OEHHA) under the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA). The proposal stipulates that individuals engaged in trading with 10 or more employees (unless otherwise exempted) must affix clear and reasonable warning labels on products containing chemicals that are known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity to avoid contact with humans, and must not discharge such chemicals into drinking water. Consumer product warnings can be placed directly on the product label or in a prominent location near the store products.

Table 1 Typical Example of Warning Labels

Warning Example

'Warning: This product contains a chemical knowledge to the State of California to cause cancer.' (Warning: This product contains chemicals known to cause cancer locally in California).

If it contains chemicals known to harm the reproductive system, it must be accompanied by: 'WARNING: This product contains a chemical knowledge to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harms.' (Warning: This product contains chemicals known to cause damage to the reproductive system in California).

Proposition 65 lists approximately 800 chemicals that have been identified by California authorities as carcinogenic or reproductive toxic. The list of such chemicals includes a large number of naturally occurring and artificially synthesized chemicals, including additives or ingredients used in insecticides, ordinary household products, food, drugs, dyes or solvents. They can be used in manufacturing and construction industries, as well as as as by-products of chemical processes such as motor vehicle exhaust.

The listed chemical substances include tobacco smoke, metals (such as lead, cadmium, and nickel), and organic chemicals (such as phthalates: BBP, DBP, DEHP, DIDP, DnHP, etc., and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: benzopyrene, etc.). Once a certain chemical substance is listed in Proposition 65, manufacturers and distributors will be required to complete the warning within one year and terminate the discharge of the chemical substance to the source of drinking water within 20 months. After this date, government or individual law enforcement officials, including individuals or organizations representing the public interest, may take legal action against those who fail to meet the standards.

Among the approximately 800 listed chemical substances, consumer products containing lead have been receiving considerable attention in the past few years. Lead was listed as a reproductive toxic substance in 1987 and as a carcinogen in 1992. It can affect almost all organs of the human biological system, including the central nervous system (which can lead to dementia), while other symptoms include anemia, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, constipation, insomnia, irritability, headache, and fatigue. For children, lead can also affect physical growth and intellectual development.

Project Product/Material Court Proposal Number/Method

Lead (cadmium) content requirements

1. Copper container with welded components

For example: copper plates, planting pots, capsule pots, wall sink, flower pots, tea trays, etc

Marlin County Court motion number CV 064425

Lead: 200 ppm

2. PVC flexible wire

For example, PVC sheaths, thermosetting plastic coatings, and/or thermoplastic wire and cable sheaths (excluding products that are not in frequent contact)

San Francisco Bill Numbers CGC-07-460934 and CGC-06-449269

Lead ≤ 300 ppm

3. Cosmetics

For example: lipstick and Lip Color ACSC Proposal No. RG 07325184

Lead ≤ 0.35 ppm (lipstick and lip gloss)

Lead ≤ 0.5 ppm (other cosmetics)

4. Bicycle PVC material

For example: Handle and Cable San Francisco Proposal No. CGC-06-454917

Lead ≤ 300 ppm (wheel diameter>20 inches)

Lead ≤ 30 ppm (wheel diameter ≤ 20 inches)

5. Aluminum cookware

San Francisco Proposal No. CGC-06-456750

Lead ≤ 6 ppb (at least 6 samples on average)

Project Product/Material Court Proposal Number/Method

Lead (cadmium) content requirements

6. Food and Beverage PVC Flexible Containers

For example, lunch boxes and insulated containers, San Francisco proposal numbers CGC-05-444522 and CGC-05-444524

Lead ≤ 200 ppm (inner layer)

Lead ≤ 600 ppm (outer layer)

7. PVC material on bicycles

For example: cables, bicycle equipment, chain equipment, underframe devices, locks, toolboxes, pliers, screwdrivers, pedal equipment, open end wrenches, rake tools, wheel equipment, wrenches, and frame equipment

San Francisco Bill No. CGC-05-440721

Lead ≤ 200 ppm

8. PVC/chloroprene rubber and/or other plastic clothing

For example, Raincoat San Francisco motion numbers CGC-05-440570 and CGC-03-427020

Lead ≤ 30 ppm

9. Glassware for Food/Beverage

For example: glasses, cans, beer glasses, large glasses, trays, plates, seasoning containers, water bottles, bowls, mugs, and saucers

San Francisco Bill No. CGC-05-440811

a) NIOSH 9100 (exterior decoration)

Lead ≤ 1.0mg

Cadmium ≤ 8.0mg

b) EPA 3050B (external decoration, excluding the edge area of the cup mouth)

Lead ≤ 600ppm

Cadmium ≤ 4800ppm

c) C927 (rim area of cup mouth)

Lead ≤ 200ppm

Cadmium ≤ 800ppm

The product must meet the requirements of a) or b) depending on:

1) Children's products must comply with a)

2) In addition, products with external decorations in the edge area of the cup mouth must also comply with

10. Jewelry

For example, decorations worn by humans include anklets, necklaces, brooches, bracelets, earrings, and hair accessories

Alameda County Court Bill No. RG04-162075 (California Bill No. 1681 'Lead Jewelry', Pavley, 2006

The lead content requirement depends on its material composition and product type

11. PVC or neoprene coating in sports products and weights

For example, handle the San Francisco Court motion number CFC-02-403328

Lead ≤ 200ppm

Comment:

≤=less than or equal to

Ppm=parts per million

Ppb=parts per billion

μ G=micrograms