Proposition 65, officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is a California law aimed at protecting residents from the harmful effects of hazardous chemicals. The law mandates that the state publish a list, updated at least once a year, of chemicals known to cause health and environmental damage. This list currently includes over 900 chemicals.
Hexavalent Chromium in California’s Spotlight
Hexavalent Chromium, or Chromium VI, is one of the most toxic forms of chromium and is known to be a potent carcinogen and reproductive toxin. Chromium naturally occurs in rocks and can contaminate groundwater through rock weathering or industrial contamination.
In recent years, several companies producing leather goods for the California market have received notices of Proposition 65 violations from the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) due to the presence of hexavalent chromium (Chromium VI) in their products. Recently, the Superior Court of Alameda approved a legal agreement emphasizing the need for strict control of this chemical in leather products intended for California.
Where is Chromium Found?
Chromium VI is used in various industrial processes, including:
- Leather Tanning: Often used in the leather tanning process, chromium can convert to hexavalent chromium if not treated properly.
- Pigments: Used in dyes for textiles, paints, and inks.
- Coatings: Used in chrome plating processes and wood preservatives.
- Stainless Steel Production: Releases hexavalent chromium during melting, welding, and cutting operations.
Impact on Companies
The drive towards corporate responsibility and health prevention has led to the establishment of the following requirements and protocols for the California market:
- Elimination of Hexavalent Chromium through Specific Protocols: Companies must source leather from tanneries that implement measures to prevent the formation of hexavalent chromium, such as adding antioxidants during tanning, controlling fat and oxidizing agent levels, monitoring pH levels, proper washing to remove unfixed chromium, and maintaining controlled storage conditions.
- LWG Gold Certification: Companies can comply with Prop 65 regulations by sourcing leather exclusively from tanneries certified Gold by the Leather Working Group (LWG), which ensures the adoption of strict protocols to prevent Chromium VI formation.
- Warning Labels: Some products must include clear warnings to inform consumers of the risks associated with Chromium VI.
Demonstrating Compliance For companies involved in the leather industry, demonstrating compliance with these regulations is crucial not only to avoid legal repercussions but also to protect consumer health. Products must be free from detectable levels of hexavalent chromium, and sourcing must be verifiable through certifications from LWG Gold-rated tanneries.
How Can We Help You?
- Support for LWG Gold Certification
- Monitoring of Industrial Processes through the Environmental Division
- Risk Mitigation Support for Cr VI Presence in the Supply Chain
- Screening Capability with Accredited Hexavalent Chromium Extraction Method Below 3 ppm
For more information and support from our team on this topic, please fill out the contact form on this page.
