Table of Contents
What Are Safe Harbor Levels?
Safe harbor levels under Ca Prop 65 are thresholds below which no warning is legally required. These include:
- No Significant Risk Levels (NSRLs) for carcinogens
- Maximum Allowable Dose Levels (MADLs) for reproductive toxins
If your product’s exposure falls below these levels, you’re safe from enforcement—but you must prove it.
How Exposure Works in Electronics Products
Prop 65 regulates exposure, not just content.
This means:
> Even if a chemical is present in a product, it does not trigger a warning unless the user is likely to be exposed.
For electronics, this exposure might occur via:
- Touch (e.g., cables with DEHP)
- Inhalation (e.g., off-gassing adhesives)
- Wear or degradation (e.g., plastic casings or connectors)
Calculating Risk: Intake, Exposure, and Use Cases
Exposure is calculated as:
> Exposure = Concentration × Duration × Frequency × Route
You must factor in:
- Product use scenarios (daily use vs. industrial assembly)
- Vulnerable populations (e.g., children, pregnant workers)
- Transferability (does the chemical leach or volatilize?)
This is often modeled using tools like:
- Exposure estimation software
- Toxicology databases
- OEHHA risk equations
Common Safe Harbor Levels for Electronics-Relevant Chemicals
Here are Prop 65 thresholds often triggered in electronics products:
Even if these substances are present, you don’t need a warning if exposure stays under these levels.
When to Issue a Prop 65 Warning
If exposure to a listed chemical exceeds the safe harbor level, you must issue a clear and compliant warning.
Key considerations:
- Use the standard Prop 65 warning language
- Indicate the chemical name and risk type
- Ensure the label is visible at the point of purchase or use
- If you're not sure—warn or conduct a risk assessment
Remember: Many brands warn preemptively to avoid litigation, especially in ambiguous cases.
Automating Risk Assessments with Acquis
Acquis enables brands to:
- Track chemical content across the supply chain
- Calculate exposure using usage scenario models
- Flag materials that approach or exceed safe harbor limits
- Generate pre-formatted warning labels automatically
Don’t risk it — assess it. If you're unsure whether your electronics product requires a Prop 65 warning, Acquis helps you automate risk assessments based on safe harbor thresholds.