Parties Conclude Prop 65 Settlements for Lead in Consumer Products

The second half of 2016 has seen the conclusion of several California Proposition 65 (Prop 65) settlements relating to lead content, lead migration and/or releasable lead.

These agreements relate to a variety of products, including:

• Books
• Brass cooler drains
• Brass flanges and fittings
• Brass numbers
• Can tap valves
• Craft wires
• Drain grates
• Fuel fittings
• Galvanized steel chain link fence frameworks and gates
• Galvanized wires and fasteners
• Gas stoves with brass valves
• Gas test gauges
• Laundry faucets,
• Leaded ceramic tableware, including, but not limited to, plates, spoons, cups, bowls, mugs and tumblers intended for the service or storage of food or beverages
• Mugs with brass handles
• Mugs with exterior designs
• Napkin rings
• Plumbing supplies, including but not limited, to diverter stems
• Pressure gauges
• Recycled vinyl record products, including coasters and diaries
• Rubber shoe accessories
• Sprinklers
• Stabilizing receiver pins
• Tablet computer stands/supports
• Temperature senders
• Vacuum pressure gauges

A number of these settlements will allow the use of a ‘clear and reasonable warning’, known as a Prop 65 warning, as an alternative. In some cases, the settlement only requires the use of the Prop 65 warning. Stakeholders should be aware that new rules, regarding the language and design of the Prop 65 warning, will become effective on August 30, 2018.

Prop 65, the “Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986”, is a unique consumer “right-to-know law”, which requires the state to maintain and update a list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Currently the list contains around 800 substances, with lead being consistently targeted as a chemical known to cause developmental toxicity in males and females, since it was listed in February 1987

The “Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986” has allowed numerous lawsuits to be instigated. These have led to a reduction in exposure to toxic chemicals, by requiring reformulation and/or labeling. The law states that, unless exempted, a business must not expose individuals to the chemicals on the list without giving a Prop 65 warning. In addition, companies must also refrain from discharging listed chemicals into sources of drinking water.

Businesses not named in a Prop 65 settlement are not legally bound by the agreement but, due to the unique nature of Prop 65, companies are advised to use settlement reformulation limits as a reference, in order to avoid possible future litigation. SGS, with its global network of laboratories, has the expertise to help manufacturers conform with all national and international regulations.

SGS Prop 65 Services
California Proposition 65 (Prop 65) services offer your organization analytical testing and consultancy services to evaluate your products for composition and to recommend a pathway to Prop 65 compliance. Learn more about SGS’s Prop 65 Services (www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail/hardgoods/diy-tools-and-hardware/california-proposition-65)

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full California Proposition 65 Reformulation of Lead in Consumer Products SafeGuardS. (www.sgs.com/en/news/2016/12/safeguards-18416-california-proposition-65-reformulation-of-lead-in-consumer-products)

Subscribe here, www.sgs.com/subscribesg, to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Hing Wo Tsang
Global Hardlines Information and Innovation Manager
Tel:(+852) 2774 7420
Email: cts.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 85,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,800 offices and laboratories around the world.

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This release was published on openPR.