In 2025, businesses selling consumer products in California must navigate one of the most complex and evolving regulatory frameworks in the U.S.—Prop 65 compliance. Officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, California Proposition 65 (Prop 65) requires businesses to provide warnings when their products expose consumers to chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

With tightening Prop 65 labeling requirements 2025, increased scrutiny on supply chain transparency, and stricter enforcement of safe harbor levels, companies face mounting pressure to ensure full compliance. Failure to comply can lead to lawsuits, product recalls, and brand damage—making avoiding Prop 65 disruption a top priority in 2025.

In this blog, we’ll explore:

• The latest Prop 65 regulatory updates

• Compliance best practices for 2025

• How Certivo’s AI-powered platform simplifies Prop 65 risk management

• Why chemical reformulation and supply chain audits are key to compliance

✅ What Is Prop 65 and Why It Matters in 2025

Prop 65 requires businesses to notify Californians about significant exposures to over 1,000 chemicals listed by the state as harmful. These warnings typically appear on product packaging, labels, websites, or store signage.

In 2025, updates to Prop 65 labeling requirements and enforcement policies are increasing pressure on brands to ensure they understand:

• Which chemicals are in their products

• Whether exposure levels exceed Prop 65 safe harbor levels

• What warning language must be used

• How to maintain supply chain transparency Prop 65

This affects virtually every industry—from food and apparel to electronics and personal care.

🔍 New in 2025: Prop 65 Compliance Expectations Are Rising

Several trends are reshaping the Prop 65 landscape:

1. Evolving Chemical List

The OEHHA (California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment) continues to update its list of regulated chemicals. In 2025, more endocrine disruptors, PFAS, and synthetic fragrances are expected to be added—prompting urgent reassessments of product formulations.

2. Revised Prop 65 Labeling Requirements 2025

Regulations now require:

• More prominent and specific warning labels

• Identification of at least one listed chemical

• Warnings to be present on both physical products and e-commerce listings

3. Stricter Enforcement and Litigation

Private enforcers and law firms are aggressively targeting companies that lack proper documentation or fail to provide adequate warnings. These lawsuits can cost companies millions, making Prop 65 supply chain audit procedures more important than ever.

⚠️ What Happens If You’re Not Ready?

The consequences of non-compliance include:

• Legal action and settlement fees

• Product recalls and relabeling costs

• Damaged brand reputation

• Loss of retail shelf space in California

• Delayed product launches

Given these risks, it’s crucial for companies to implement a proactive Prop 65 compliance 2025 strategy that includes chemicals reformulation Prop 65, supplier disclosures, and label reviews.

🔧 Key Steps to Achieve Prop 65 Compliance in 2025

1. Perform a Prop 65 Supply Chain Audit

You must trace the origin and material composition of every product component. This requires collecting chemical data, Certificates of Analysis (CoAs), and supplier declarations for all parts, ingredients, and packaging.

Use a digital solution like Certivo to automate these tasks, flag non-compliant suppliers, and ensure supply chain transparency Prop 65.

2. Check Against Prop 65 Safe Harbor Levels

Even if a chemical is present, you may not need a warning if exposure levels fall below state-defined Prop 65 safe harbor levels.

These levels vary by chemical and use-case. However, proving compliance requires scientific documentation—typically lab testing and exposure assessments.

3. Consider Chemicals Reformulation Prop 65

Where warning labels are not acceptable from a branding standpoint, consider reformulating products to eliminate or reduce Prop 65 chemicals.

Certivo enables you to track substances of concern across product lines and find compliant alternatives before enforcement hits.

4. Update Labels to Meet Prop 65 Labeling Requirements 2025

Make sure:

• Labels include chemical names

• Language matches new OEHHA requirements

• E-commerce listings replicate on-package warnings

• Foreign manufacturers also understand their role in compliance

💡 Avoid Prop 65 Disruption: The Role of Certivo

Certivo is an AI-powered compliance management platform that enables product-based businesses to prepare for and comply with multi-jurisdictional regulations—including Prop 65 compliance 2025.

Here’s how Certivo helps you avoid Prop 65 disruption:

🧠 1. AI-Powered Supplier Outreach

Automatically send questionnaires and chemical declaration forms to suppliers. Certivo tracks responses, flags missing data, and stores everything in one centralized platform.

🔍 2. Prop 65 Screening Against BOMs

Upload your Bill of Materials (BOMs) or product formulations, and Certivo cross-references ingredients with the latest Prop 65 chemical list.

🧾 3. Digital Document Vault

Organize and access all CoAs, test reports, and exemption letters in a searchable interface—vital during audits and inspections.

📈 4. Real-Time Regulatory Updates

Certivo keeps you informed on changes to Prop 65 labeling requirements 2025, chemical additions, and safe harbor thresholds—before they impact your product lines.

💼 5. Time Savings for Compliance Teams

Certivo reduces manual workload for RA/QA teams by up to 90%, enabling faster product launches and seamless cross-functional collaboration.

🌍 Why Prop 65 Compliance Isn’t Just a California Issue Anymore

Prop 65 is influencing national and even global chemical policy. Retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart are now requiring vendors across the U.S. to demonstrate Prop 65 compliance—even for products not sold in California.

This means brands that build systems for **supply chain transparency Prop 65** and use platforms like Certivo will be better positioned to:

• Secure and retain major retail accounts

• Meet investor and ESG expectations

• Minimize litigation exposure

• Maintain consumer trust

📊 Prop 65 Compliance and Market Trends: What's Ahead

• Rise of PFAS-related warnings: With PFAS chemicals under increasing scrutiny, many may soon be added to the Prop 65 list.

• More scrutiny on e-commerce compliance: Online sellers are expected to match on-pack labeling requirements.

• Greater demand for third-party testing and documentation: Customers want validation, not just promises.

• Increased adoption of compliance platforms like Certivo to manage growing complexity and scale with changing regulations.

📝 Final Checklist for Prop 65 Compliance in 2025

✅ Conduct full Prop 65 supply chain audit

✅ Identify chemicals above Prop 65 safe harbor levels

✅ Consider chemicals reformulation Prop 65

✅ Update product labels and e-commerce warnings

✅ Track and verify supplier compliance

✅ Use Prop 65 compliance software like Certivo for proactive management

🚀 Stay Ahead with Certivo: Your Partner for Prop 65 Compliance in 2025

Prop 65 will only get more complex, and the risks of non-compliance more expensive. With Certivo’s AI-powered compliance platform, you can:

• Automate supplier data collection

• Monitor Prop 65 chemical changes

• Track safe harbor levels and exemptions

• Reduce audit risk

• Launch compliant products faster

Don't let regulatory complexity slow your business down. Visit www.certivo.com to book a demo and take control of your Prop 65 strategy today.