Prop 65 Statement

Regarding California's Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986

The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, better known as Proposition 65 (Prop 65), was approved by California voters to address growing concerns about exposure to toxic chemicals. Prop 65 requires the State to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. This list, which must be updated at least once a year, has grown to include over 800 chemicals since it was first published in 1987. Any business with more than ten (10) employees that operates in California, sells in California, or brings products into California or manufactures products that may be sold in or brought into California, must provide “clear and reasonable warning” on its products that contain any chemical on the list.

Prop 65 is a broad, right-to-know law, but out of an abundance of caution Western Electric uses approved labeling on all of its products containing chemicals on the State of California’s published list. To be clear, the warning does not mean Western Electric, or products from other manufacturers that contain similar labels, will necessarily cause cancer or reproductive harm. Additionally, Prop 65 warnings do NOT mean a product is in violation of any product safety standards or requirements. The State of California clarifies that “[t]he fact that a product bears a Proposition 65 warning does not mean by itself that the product is unsafe.” “You could think of Proposition 65 more as a ‘right to know’ law than a pure product safety law.” Some of the chemicals on the list (such as Vitamin A, testosterone and estrogen) are necessary to human life but can have deleterious effects at certain exposure levels. See http://oehha.ca.gov/prop65/background/p65plain.html.

Western Electric, along with many manufacturers nationwide, has elected to provide the Prop 65 notice to avoid potential for liability and high penalties, regardless of where our products may be sold. We also take this measure seriously in order to properly inform consumers, should he/she decide to limit exposure to chemicals regulated by the State of California under Prop 65.

When used as designed, our products are not harmful. We are committed to quality manufacturing and the safety of our customers.

To learn more about Prop 65, please visit the website of the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA): https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65.