Proposition 65 Warning

In 1986, Californians approved an initiative known as Proposition 65 or Prop 65 to address concerns about exposure to certain materials. Under this law, businesses are required to notify Californians about the presence of more than 750 chemicals in products they purchase, use in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment. Regardless of whether these materials are manufactured in the US or are shipped in from abroad, the regulation requires that the following warning label to be on the packaging:

“CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defect and/or reproductive harm.”

California Proposition 65 is not a requirement of any other state, and it is not a mandate of the United States Government or any of its departments.

The Prop 65 list contains a wide range of chemicals, including dyes, solvents, pesticides, drugs, aspirin, food additives, alcoholic beverages, dental fillings, and other by-products of their use. Some may be naturally occurring or synthetic, and some are ingredients in very common household products. Some products that are or have been in litigation for lack of labeling due to this law are items such as eye drops, nasal sprays, toothpaste, wine vinegar, malt vinegar, French fries, fish, seafood, snack chips, antacids, glassware, ceramic mugs, PVC electrical cords, and garden hoses.

The level of potential exposure to these chemicals required for a Proposition 65 warning label is in the parts per billion. In light of the long list of chemicals, as well as the potential miniscule exposure amounts, and since Fiskars cannot control the final destination of products in the stores while we determine which of these products do not require a label, Fiskars has voluntarily applied these warning labels to our products in the possible event that they are purchased in California.

Fiskars realizes that this strategy may create questions and concerns by our consumers. Therefore, Fiskars is currently engaged in a Proposition 65 material review process for all its products. Once this review process establishes that a product does not qualify, we will remove the Prop 65 warning from the packaging for that product.

Our products are similar to like products in the marketplace, but Fiskars is being proactive to comply with the intent of California Proposition 65. Based on the initial reviews from information provided by our suppliers, Fiskars does not believe that the material content for our products pose an exposure risk, however our products in the stores currently includes the warning labels due to this review process.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Fiskars customer service.