Responsible Buying for Nonprofit Needs

It might not be immediately obvious how Proposition 65 relates to apparel, but remember that dyes and decoration, additives like moisture-wicking chemicals, and even pesticides used when growing the cotton can affect the chemical composition of a piece of apparel and, therefore, impact its perceived safety and/or compliance (or failure thereof) under Prop 65. Example: A hat for a California state-sponsored nutrition education program was embroidered with a logo that was stitched on a Pellon stabilizer that contained formaldehyde as a stiffener. The promotional company who provided the caps was later fined. Other common products cited for Prop 65 violations are insulated lunch bags (lead, phthalates and formaldehyde), backpacks (lead in plastic buckles) and drinkware (also for lead).