Proposition 65 Compliance

If you shop for car and truck parts, you have seen the Prop 65 warning. It shows up on everything from brake pads to floor mats to phone chargers. Here is what it actually means, in plain English, so you can make an informed call instead of just seeing a scary word and moving on.

What Proposition 65 is

Proposition 65 is a California right-to-know law, officially the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. It requires businesses to warn people in California before they are exposed to any of the chemicals the state has listed as causing cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. The list is long, it grows every year, and it covers hundreds of common substances.

The key word is "warn." Prop 65 is a disclosure law, not a safety standard. It does not ban anything and it does not set a limit on what a product can contain. It tells you a chemical is present so you can decide for yourself.

Why you see these warnings on car parts

Automotive parts touch a lot of listed chemicals. Metals like lead in wheel weights and electronics, phthalates in rubber and plastic and vinyl, carbon and materials in brake components, and byproducts of normal engine operation all show up on the list. Because the law covers such a wide net, warnings are extremely common across the entire industry, on parts sold by every retailer, not just us.

A warning on a part does not mean that specific part is dangerous, defective, or worse than a part without one. Often it means the manufacturer chose to label broadly to stay covered under a law that punishes under-warning, not over-warning.

What the warning means, and what it does not

It means: a listed chemical may be present, and California wants you to know before you buy or handle the part.

It does not mean: the product is unsafe to use as intended, that it fails any safety standard, or that it will harm you. Prop 65 exposure thresholds are set very conservatively, often far below levels shown to cause actual harm.

If a part carries a warning, follow the manufacturer's handling and installation instructions and you are doing the right thing.

The warning

For motor vehicle parts, the State of California safe-harbor warning reads:

WARNING: Handling passenger or off-highway motor vehicle parts can expose you to chemicals such as phthalates and lead, which can cause cancer and reproductive harm. To minimize exposure, service the vehicle in a well-ventilated area, wear gloves, and wash your hands. For more information see P65Warnings.ca.gov/motor-vehicle-parts.

Some products carry a warning that names a different specific chemical, set by the manufacturer of that part. When a product requires a warning, it is shown on that product's page before you buy.

How to lower your exposure

Good shop habits handle most of it:

• Work in a well-ventilated area, or outdoors when you can.
• Wear gloves suited to the job.
• Wash your hands after handling parts, and wash soiled clothing separately.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for safe handling and installation.
• If you suspect older brake components may contain asbestos, have them serviced by a professional.

Where to learn more

The State of California runs the official resource, with fact sheets on specific chemicals and how to reduce exposure:

• P65Warnings.ca.gov
• Motor vehicle parts: P65Warnings.ca.gov/motor-vehicle-parts

Questions

If you have a question about the Prop 65 warning on a specific part, the manufacturer is the best source for what chemical it applies to and why. Reach out to us and we will point you to the right contact.