On August 30, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) will begin enforcing new warning requirements for California Prop 65. These changes apply to all products that are made after that date and contain any of the 900-plus chemicals that are on the OEHHA list as being known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

The State of California requires businesses to provide a “clear and reasonable warning” before knowingly or intentionally exposing California consumers to any listed chemicals and substances. Failure to warn against such exposures can lead to serious fines and penalties against the manufacturer and retailer. In the promotional products industry, suppliers, distributors and end buyers are all subject to liability.

The primary changes to Prop 65 requirements are new wording on warnings, disclosing the health risks and providing separate internet and/or catalog warnings. For more detail on the changes, and for tips to manage Prop 65, read the PPB article “California Prop 65 Ups Its Requirements” by Leeton Lee. PPAI has also published a new Product Responsibility Best Practices Guide.