California Proposition 65 Notice (Prop 65)

About Prop 65
California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65) requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about exposures to chemicals that the State of California has determined may cause cancer and/or birth defects or other reproductive harm. The official list and more information are available at www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Why you may see a warning from Hi-Tech Closets

Many everyday products—especially those that involve wood, finishes, adhesives, and metal hardware—can result in very low-level exposures to one or more chemicals on the Prop 65 list. Out of an abundance of caution and to comply with California law, Hi-Tech Closets provides Prop 65 warnings for shipments delivered to California and on relevant product pages.

Providing a warning does not mean a product is unsafe. Prop 65 standards are often more stringent than federal or international safety thresholds and can apply at exposure levels far below typical regulatory limits.

Where exposures can occur in closet systems

Depending on the product configuration, options, and installation activities, potential exposure sources may include:

  • Wood dust created when cutting, drilling, or sanding composite or solid wood panels (during jobsite modification or installation).

    • Warning language example: “WARNING: Drilling, sawing, sanding or machining wood products can expose you to wood dust, a substance known to the State of California to cause cancer. Avoid inhaling dust; use a dust mask or other safeguards.”

  • Finishes/adhesives used in composite wood products (e.g., trace formaldehyde emissions, even when materials meet CARB2/TSCA Title VI standards).

  • Metal hardware and finishes (e.g., nickel) that may include chemicals on the Prop 65 list.

  • Jobsite activities (e.g., use of construction adhesives, sealants, or solvents chosen by the installer) that may contain Prop 65-listed chemicals.

Hi-Tech Closets specifies materials that meet stringent industry standards (e.g., CARB2/TSCA Title VI-compliant composite wood). Still, Prop 65 may require a warning even when emissions are very low.

Standard Prop 65 warning language

When applicable, you may see one of these notices on product packaging, product pages, or at checkout:

  • General furniture/installation dust warning
    WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including wood dust, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

  • If specific listed chemicals apply to a configuration (example)
    WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including formaldehyde and nickel, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, which is known to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Note: The specific chemicals named in a warning may vary based on the product’s materials, options, and finishes.

How to reduce exposure during installation

  • Cut outdoors or in well-ventilated areas whenever possible.

  • Wear appropriate PPE: NIOSH-approved dust mask/respirator and safety glasses when cutting or sanding.

  • Use dust collection on power tools and clean up with a HEPA-filter vacuum.

  • Follow all label instructions for any adhesives, caulks, or finishes used during installation.

Questions & Contact

If you have any questions about Prop 65 warnings on Hi-Tech Closets products, please contact:

Hi-Tech Closets Inc.
120-1122 40 Ave NE
Calgary, AB T2E 5T8 Canada
📞 +1(833)777-8520
✉️ service@hi-techclosets.com