California Proposition 65

New Labels, Same Student-Safe Products

We are committed to compliance with California's Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, more commonly known as Proposition 65.

As of August 30, 2018 the reporting requirements for this act changed. These changes now require retailers who do business in the State of California to provide more robust and detailed labels on products containing any one of over 850 chemicals deemed by the State of California to be hazardous. The complete list can be found on the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) website.

Because we do business in California, we have added these new labels to many of our product packages and catalog descriptions. You may now see these labels on some products and packaging, even if you do not reside in California.

Here's an example of the new labels you may see:

For more information about California Proposition 65, read on below or visit https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/new-proposition-65-warnings.

The safety and contents of our products have not changed.

Your safety is our top priority and our products continue to meet the highest safety standards for your classroom. Our products contain the same materials, and meet the same safety standards as they always have. We have simply added new labels to our existing products to comply with new reporting requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is California Proposition 65?

A. California Proposition 65, officially the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is an existing law that requires warnings be provided to California consumers when they might be exposed to chemicals identified by the State of California as causing human health hazards. The warnings are intended to help California consumers make informed decisions about their exposures to these chemicals from the products they use. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) administers the Proposition 65 program and publishes the listed chemicals, which includes more than 850 chemicals.

In August 2016, OEHHA adopted new regulations that went into effect on August 30, 2018, which change the information required in Proposition 65 warnings.

The new Proposition 65 regulations enacted in 2018 require retailers to provide more clear and robust warning information about the potential health risks of products sold in the State of California.

Q. Why are there new warning labels on my products?

A. We've added new warning labels to select products to comply with new regulations recently enacted in the State of California known as California Proposition 65, or the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. For more information about California Proposition 65, see above.

After August 30, 2018  you may see warnings like these on certain products in our catalogs, on our website, and/or on product packaging  even if you do not reside in the State of California.

Because we do business in the State of California, we have chosen to include this information on products that are purchased and used by  all  customers in the US and Canada to comply with this California state law.

These warning labels are not just limited to science supplies or chemicals. Because of these new requirements, you may also start to see similar labels on many common household items from your favorite retailers, including:

• Play sand
• Tools
• Motor vehicles
• Electrical cords
• Ceramic tableware
• Beauty products
• Tiffany-style lamps
• Fresh fruit, nuts, and vegetables
• Canned and bottled foods and beverages

Q. Are these products still safe to use?

A. Our products continue to meet the highest safety standards for your classroom. The contents of our products  have not changed . We have simply added new labels to our existing products to comply with these new regulations. To ensure safe use and handling of these products, please always follow all instructions for use, and always wear proper PPE and follow all SDS guidelines.

Q. Will the substances in these products cause cancer?

A. According to the American Cancer Society, "Scientists classify [the substances listed by OEHHA] at least as probable carcinogens, meaning that they might cause cancer in some people. But not all of them are known carcinogens (known to cause cancer) by groups and experts outside the State of California. This means that not every compound labeled as a possible cancer-causing substance has been proven to the worldwide scientific community to actually cause cancer." Learn more about Proposition 65 labels from the American Cancer Society.

Q. Where can I find additional information about the safety of these products?

A. We value your safety and we take every precaution to ensure the safety of our products in your classroom or workplace.

To ensure safe use of our products, please follow all instructions, care and handling guides, and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) guidelines for proper use.

Free PDF copies of our SDS are available here.

If you have any additional questions about California Proposition 65 or how to safely use our products, please contact us for support at [email protected].