In 1986, California voters approved Proposition 65, an initiative officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. The law requires California to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity, and for businesses with 10 or more employees to provide warning labels on any products that may contain any of the 850+ chemicals the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) deems to be a health hazard. Source: https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/new-proposition-65-warnings
Many of the 850+ chemicals on the list are commonly found in food, jewelry, medicine, beauty products, furniture, household items and automobiles. In fact, a flame retardant upholstery chemical currently required by the state of California to be added to upholstered furniture foam is now included among these 850+ chemicals.
Proposition 65 does not ban or restrict the sale of chemicals on the list. The warnings are intended to help Californians make informed decisions about their exposures to these chemicals from the products they use and the places they go. This list does not give recommendations on exposure levels.
Like all furniture manufacturers, Hale Manufacturing is required to include Proposition 65 warnings on our products or face large fines under this law in California. By law we are required to use the exact wording for this warning, as specified by the state of California:
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including wood dust, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/furniture.
Hale Manufacturing takes the safety and well-being of our customers and employees seriously. We comply with all federal regulations. As an environmental-friendly third-generation family business, we are especially vigilant about the products and equipment we use to build Hale furniture. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.