Proposition 65 and Promotional Products

The Proposition 65 ballot initiative, created and approved in California, has far reaching effects. Also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, Prop. 65 affects more businesses than those based in California. Any business that ships to this state must meet the requirements of this proposition.

Proposition 65 was overwhelmingly approved by the voters in California in order to decrease their exposure to toxic chemicals. Each year since 1986, the Governor of California has published a list of chemicals that are known, by the State of California, to cause cancer, birth defects, and harm to the reproductive system. Proposition 65 safeguards the citizens of California from these carcinogens and reproductive toxicants by ensuring that they will not come in contact with any drinks. The only way that any of the designated chemicals can be present in a mug or any other drink ware is if the item is labeled. The label gives the consumer the necessary information and protects them from unknowingly coming into contact with these chemicals.

The promotional products industry has had to address this issue by becoming largely Proposition 65 compliant. Many vendors have changed their processes to ensure that their custom printed promotional items comply with this Californian measure. Any failure to label promotional drink ware that does not meet these guidelines can be met with a civil lawsuit and heavy fines. Those companies who have not yet been able to make the necessary adjustments will label their items when shipping to California.