Authors opinion: For the average person, this is usually regarded only as a big scary sticker and is usually disregarded since CA Prop 65 requires the warning even if their product can have ‘the possibility’ of one molecule of lead or other harmful substance in the product, while RoHS allows for a few molecules.
Below is a formal explanation courtesy of Schneider Electric FAQ - California’s Proposition 65
California’s Proposition 65
What is Proposition 65?
California Proposition 65 is a standalone program that affects all commercial goods sold in the state of CA. This was enacted in 1986 as “The safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986”. Businesses are required to provide warnings if their products or facilities can expose consumers or workers to a listed chemical above identified threshold levels, known to the state of California to cause cancer or reproductive harm. The chemical list contains more than 900 substances, and this list is updated every year.
When does this requirement go into effect?
Though this law has been in place since 1986, a new amendment to the law was passed in 2016 effective August 30th, 2018 requiring clear and reasonable warnings defined by the California Code of Regulations.
What is Schneider Electric doing to be compliant?
Schneider Electric, is committed to provide products that are fully compliant with all regulations, international protocols, and customer standards to which they are subject. All base materials are selected based on industry-accepted codes and standards for product integrity, performance, quality and safety specifications. We are evaluating all products and providing clear and reasonable warnings for products that can expose consumers to a listed chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer or reproductive harm. The California Proposition 65 list is regularly updated, with new chemical added. Schneider Electric will take into account this modification and update accordingly the status of the products to meet any requirements of California Proposition 65.
Which products does this affect?
Proposition 65 product information will be provided upon request.
What does the warning look like, and where would I expect to see this warning for Schneider Electric Products?
The warning can appear on the product/packaging itself, within the manuals, and/or online websites/documentation. The regulations prescribe the following form of warnings:
If a product is professionally installed, how does Schneider Electric provide this type of warning?
A: For professionally installed products, the warning will generally appear in the manuals for those products.
Are these warnings also on the eCommerce sites of Schneider Electric, or on those of distributors and resellers who sell Schneider Electric products?
A: Yes. There is a requirement of including a warning on e-commerce sites. We as the manufacturer have a responsibility to let the distributor/reseller know that the product contains one of the chemicals and provide them with appropriate labels. We will work with our own eCommerce team to provide this information through the standard data delivery systems.
What is a Reseller’s/Distributor’s role in this, with regard to Schneider Electric Products?
The reseller/distributor are obligated to provide warning prior to purchase.
Visit https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/ to read more on Proposition 65, or for more details of how we are handling Prop 65 should be directed to Rohs@digikey.com.
See also:
ROHS compliant
