By Hemanth s | Fri Jun 6 2025 | 2 min read

Table of Contents

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:

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.

Topics

Proposition 65

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Understanding OEHHA

What is the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)?
The OEHHA is a California state agency that evaluates environmental health risks. It is responsible for maintaining the Proposition 65 chemical list and setting exposure thresholds for hazardous substances.
How does OEHHA relate to Proposition 65?
OEHHA administers Proposition 65 by identifying chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm, setting safe harbor levels, and providing guidance on required warnings for consumer products.
Who must comply with OEHHA regulations?
Any business that sells or distributes products in California must comply with OEHHA regulations if their products contain listed chemicals above safe thresholds. This includes manufacturers, importers, and retailers.
What are safe harbor levels under Proposition 65?
Safe harbor levels include No Significant Risk Levels (NSRLs) for carcinogens and Maximum Allowable Dose Levels (MADLs) for reproductive toxins. If exposure to a chemical is below these levels, no warning is required.
How can companies monitor OEHHA chemical updates?
OEHHA frequently updates the Proposition 65 list . Companies can monitor changes by subscribing to OEHHA bulletins or using compliance software like Acquis , which automatically tracks and flags regulatory updates.
What happens if my product is non-compliant?
Non-compliance can result in lawsuits, civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation per day, product recalls, and reputational damage.
How does Acquis help with OEHHA compliance?
Acquis provides automated monitoring of OEHHA’s Prop 65 list , manages Full Material Disclosures (FMDs) from suppliers, maps chemical data to exposure thresholds, and generates compliant labeling and audit documentation.