The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) sent two 60-day notices naming over 60 companies on Sept. 1st and 10th respectively according to California Proposition 65. Testing showed BPA presence many times over the safe limit of the chemical, which was found in baby, children’s, and women’s socks made primarily of polyester with Spandex.

Bisphenol-A is a well-studied chemical, known to cause developmental and reproductive harm and linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer, metabolic disorders, diabetes, and numerous other serious health concerns. It was added to the Proposition 65 list of chemicals in 2015. BPA is mostly used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It is also used in the development of dyes that are used in thermal paper, and in the production of flame retardants and in PVC production and processing. BPA-based chemical compounds may be found in polycarbonate bottles, food and beverage cans, thermal paper, storage containers, plastic sunglasses, adhesives, coatings and trim.

Traditionally, BPA is not a high-risk chemical in textile fibers. Previous BPA Prop 65 settlements are on sunglasses, thermal paper or other products. This is the first time the notices are issued for BPA in textiles.

CEH is an American non-profit organization working to protect children and families from harmful chemicals in air, food, water and in everyday products.

What is bisphenol A?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used chemical.  Sources of exposure to BPA include:

• Some linings that prevent rust, corrosion, and contamination in metal food and drink cans, jar lids, and bottle caps.

• Polycarbonate (PC) plastic items, such as some water bottles, water cooler bottles, dishes and utensils, cookware, food storage containers, and electric kettles.

Items made of this hard plastic often have the recycle code 7, 3, or PC.

• Some polyvinyl chloride plastics (sometimes called PVC or vinyl), such as some plastic food wrap, and some vinyl gloves.

• Some thermal paper, which has a glossy surface and is often used for receipts, such as those from cash registers, gas pumps, and automated teller machines (ATMs).

California Prop 65 60-Day Notices:

A 60-day Notice is specific to private enforcement. The company served with the violation has an opportunity to cure the violation within the 60-day notice period to avoid continuing penalties, while public enforcers (Attorney General, District Attorney, or City Attorney) decide within that timeframe whether to take action rather than allowing the filing private entity to continue the legal process. Penalties for failing to provide warnings can be as high as $2,500 per violation per day.

In order to be considered valid, 60-day Notices must contain specific information:

• A description of the violation, including the product at issue

• A copy of the Prop 65 law

• The time of the violation

• A list of chemicals involved

• Route of exposure to listed chemicals

• The identity of the private entity or citizen filing the 60-day Notice

BACL Service:

Bay Area Compliance Labs Corp.（Short for " BACL"）, with its headquarter in Silicon Valley, it is a professional and international third-party testing and certification body. Currently we have physical and chemical testing labs in the United States, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Xiamen and other places, and we have accredited the certifications by UKAS (Lab No.: 7827), CNAS (Registration No.: L2408, L6290, L9963, IB0343), CPSC(Lab ID:1112, 1415, 1647), CMA (No.: 2016192126Z, 2015192413Z) and other authorities. We offer a full range of testing service which cover footwear, toys, textile, clothing, leather, jewelry, groceries, food contact materials, cosmetics and electrical and electronic products, etc. We can help enterprises to complete the precise control of whole industry chain from raw materials to the finished products.