What is California Proposition 65 and what does it Mean for Pallets?

It has been a tough but successful year and you have decided to take the wife and kids to Disneyland. Yes, the original one in California. You're packing the kids into the hotel and you see this big sign next to the door that says something about the premises containing chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects.

​WHAT???? Gloria! Grab the kids! We are outta here!

According to a recent announcement by Governor Andrew Cuomo, Looking to California, New York will consider its Own Prop 65.

That can certainly be the reaction if you don’t know anything about California Proposition 65, how the warnings came about, and what all this means to you, Gloria, little Timmy and Faith.

What is Prop 65?

The official name of Proposition 65 is the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. Commonly referred to as Prop 65.

Prop 65 is intended to provide California residents with information about compounds in the environment around them that might be harmful. Prop 65 dictates that businesses with more than 10 employees that sell products in the state are required to provide "clear and reasonable warnings" about a chemical's ability to cause cancer, reproductive harm or birth defects. And this goes for buildings like hotels as well.

The lead and cadmium found in this mug prompted a Prop 65 warning label.

What's on the List?

The state maintains a list of about 800 chemicals. Briefly, the list might contain:

• Additives or ingredients in pesticides
• Common household products
• Drugs, food or dyes
• Solvents
• Chemicals in manufacturing or construction
• Byproducts of chemical processes

What does any of this have to do with Pallets? 

As one of the most ubiquitous items in American industry, pallets are everywhere. And if they are being sold for use in California, just like Gloria's nail polish remover or Timmy's stuffed bear, you may have to prove that the pallets you are selling do not contain chemicals on the list (or furnish a warning if they do). 

Wood pallets have been known to be treated with chemicals to control pests. Plastic pallets have been known to contain additives to make them flame retardant. In both cases, these chemicals might well show up on the Prop 65 list and would require a warning.

As it turns out, pest infestation in wood pallets can be abated through heat treatment. Plastic pallets that are required to be flame retardant are now manufactured with a new generation of additives that do not appear on the Prop 65 list.

But like our friend visiting Disneyland, knowing makes all the difference. Don't be shocked when you are asked about the Prop 65 compliance of your pallets. Be prepared.

If you still have questions about how to stay in compliance with Prop 65 regulations regarding pallets, speak to a pallet professional or post them here.

Post by: Hartson Poland, Business Development - Plastic
Use of photos Disneyland Prop 65 Warning by Patrick Pelletier and Lead or Cadmium - California Proposition 65 Warning by Hannes Reich licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.