About the California Proposition 65 Warning

The state of California has raised the bar on consumer awareness with its Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986—better known as "Proposition 65". Originally created to protect drinking water from chemical contamination, the law has since expanded to require warning labels on products that may contain any of roughly 1,000 chemicals listed by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) as known carcinogens or reproductive toxins.

Many of the substances covered under Proposition 65 are commonly found in everyday products—think coffee, jewelry, lamps, ceramic dishes, lead crystal glassware, electrical cords, vehicles, beauty items, and furniture. These materials can include plastics, vinyls, heavy metals, and even certain levels of Vitamin A. Some, like lead, are naturally present in the environment—from air and soil to water and rock. As the Los Angeles Times noted, Proposition 65 warnings are now virtually everywhere: parking lots, hardware stores, schools, hospitals, theme parks, and nearly any business of size.

Because there’s always a possibility that wood dust or other materials listed under Proposition 65 could be present in our products or packaging, we include Proposition 65 warnings to remain compliant with California law and avoid substantial fines. California also requires that we use the exact language as follows: “This product can expose you to chemicals including [name of one or more chemicals], which is [are] known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.”

There’s no need for alarm—while certain materials listed under Proposition 65 have been linked to health risks, the level of exposure is the key factor. A Prop 65 warning does not mean a product is unsafe; it simply means it contains one or more substances that, in high enough doses, could pose a risk over time. 

Like many furniture brands, Scout Design Studio ships nationwide—and because we don’t know a product’s final destination at the time of manufacturing, we apply Proposition 65 labels across all applicable items, regardless of where they’re headed. If you’re a retailer selling to California residents, it’s essential to keep these labels intact.

The safety of our customers and team is a top priority. We remain committed to delivering exceptional design with uncompromising quality, transparency, and care.