Regulatory Compliance

California
Proposition 65

Information about California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 and what it means for products purchased from FSI.

What Proposition 65 Is

Proposition 65 — formally the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 — is a California law administered by the state’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. It requires businesses to provide a clear and reasonable warning before knowingly exposing anyone in California to chemicals on a state-maintained list of substances identified as causing cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. That list currently runs to roughly 900 chemicals and is updated at least once a year.

Why You See This Warning on FSI Products

FSI supplies fasteners, rivets, and installation tooling manufactured from a wide range of metals and alloys, some of which contain trace amounts of listed substances such as lead, nickel, and chromium compounds. Tool housings, coatings, batteries, and packaging may also contain listed chemicals. Because our catalog spans thousands of parts from multiple manufacturers, we provide this warning across our product range rather than attempting a part-by-part determination.

A Proposition 65 warning does not mean a product violates any safety standard or legal requirement, and it is not a statement that the product is unsafe. The law’s exposure thresholds are set conservatively, and warnings are commonly applied to products sold lawfully throughout the United States.

Reducing Exposure

Ordinary handling of fasteners and tooling presents minimal exposure. Where operations generate dust, fume, or swarf — drilling, grinding, cutting, or abrasive finishing — standard industrial practice applies:

• Work in a well-ventilated area, using local exhaust where available
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including eye and respiratory protection
• Wash hands after handling and before eating, drinking, or smoking
• Follow the manufacturer’s safety data sheet and your employer’s EHS procedures

More Information

The State of California maintains a public information site covering the law, the current chemical list, and guidance for consumers at www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. For questions about a specific part number, safety data sheet, or material certification, contact our team and we will work with the manufacturer to get you an answer.