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California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is the scientific backbone behind some of the most stringent environmental laws in the United States—most notably Proposition 65. For manufacturers and global suppliers selling into California, staying ahead of OEHHA’s updates is critical—not just to avoid penalties but to build trust with regulators, customers, and partners.
But OEHHA’s complexity presents a serious challenge: how to monitor chemical list updates, determine exposure risks, validate supplier data, and issue timely warnings—all while maintaining operational efficiency.
What Is OEHHA?
The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is California’s lead agency for assessing health risks from environmental contaminants. As a division of CalEPA, OEHHA’s responsibilities include:
- Publishing the Prop 65 list of over 900 chemicals
- Determining exposure routes and dose thresholds
- Evaluating new toxicological data
- Issuing scientific guidance to state and local agencies
Its decisions influence product labeling, manufacturing processes, and import/export controls.
OEHHA and Proposition 65: A Business Obligation
Proposition 65, also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, requires businesses to provide clear warnings before exposing individuals to chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. OEHHA enforces this through:
- Ongoing updates to the Prop 65 chemical list
- Mandatory warning label requirements
- Setting exposure thresholds that trigger compliance actions
If your product contains even trace levels of a listed substance above OEHHA’s thresholds, you are legally required to:
- Label the product
- Notify downstream partners
- Monitor regulatory updates
Noncompliance can result in lawsuits, civil penalties of up to $2,500/day per violation, and brand damage.