If you sell clothing to customers in California, you’re legally required to comply with Proposition 65. Many sellers don’t realize this — until they get hit with a warning notice or a lawsuit. Prop 65 requires businesses to warn consumers about exposure to harmful chemicals found in everyday products — including common substances like lead, cadmium, phthalates, and nickel found in dyes, inks, and trims used in garments.
The penalty? Up to $2,500 per violation per day. That’s thousands of dollars per SKU if you’re not careful.
So how do you avoid getting fined? Here are three ways — and why only one of them is permanent – and here is an article on how you can fix your label if you already received a violation notice.
1. Rely on Website Disclaimers (But They’re Not Foolproof)
Some sellers add a warning notice to their website or checkout page. While this is better than nothing, it only protects online shoppers who actually read the page.
💬 Problem: What about third-party marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, or Walmart?
Those sites don’t show your custom disclaimers. If your warning isn’t on the product itself or its packaging, it won’t count.
2. Use Prop 65 Stickers on Each Unit (Temporary + Labor-Intensive)
Many sellers resort to adhesive Prop 65 stickers on hang tags or product bags. These can work — as long as they include the correct:
- ⚠️ Signal word (“WARNING”)
- ☣️ Listed chemical names
- 🌐 Prop 65 website link
But these stickers:
- Peel or fall off easily
- Can be removed by customers or fulfillment centers
- Are time-consuming to apply to every item
- May not survive re-labeling or resale
In short: stickers are better than nothing, but they don’t always hold up long term.
3. Sew-On Prop 65 Labels (The Permanent, Professional Solution)
If you want true peace of mind, sew-on Prop 65 compliance labels are the gold standard.
These woven fabric labels:
- 🧵 Stay attached permanently — even through returns, relabeling, and resale
- ✅ Meet all legal requirements (signal word, listed chemicals, and website)
- 🛡️ Shield your brand from liability across all sales channels
- 🧺 Withstand laundering, shipping, and fulfillment without fading or peeling
Think of it this way: stickers are a band-aid. Sew-ons are insurance.
Why This Matters — Even if You’re Not in California
You might think this only applies if your business is located in California. Wrong.
If you sell or ship into California — even through Amazon, Etsy, or Shopify — you are subject to Prop 65. That includes:
- Out-of-state clothing brands
- Amazon FBA sellers
- Small Etsy shops and growing brands
Don’t wait for a warning letter. By then, it’s already too late (and expensive).
If you want to avoid Prop 65 fines, protect your brand, and meet your compliance obligations once and for all — go with sew-on labels.
They’re:
- Low-cost
- Permanent
- Legally compliant
- Peace-of-mind for clothing sellers
We offer ready-to-sew Prop 65 labels with all required language, formatting, and certifications — available in bulk packs (100 and 500). Trusted by apparel makers, Amazon sellers, and boutique brands across the country.
👉 Protect your business today.
Check out our sew-on Prop 65 labels and stay compliant the easy way.
Lee Label Inc 
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