How to Avoid Prop 65 Fines When Selling on Amazon

If you sell clothing or accessories on Amazon, you may already know about California’s Proposition 65 (Prop 65)—a regulation that requires businesses to warn consumers about exposure to chemicals that can cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. What many sellers don’t realize is that Prop 65 applies to online listings too, not just products sold in stores. Missing a proper warning can put your Amazon account and your profits at risk.

Here’s how to avoid costly Prop 65 fines as a seller:

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1. Understand When Prop 65 Applies

Prop 65 is broad—over 900 chemicals are listed, and many can be found in everyday clothing, inks, and labels. Even if you think your products are “safe,” you’re still responsible for compliance if any listed chemicals are present above the threshold.

Examples in apparel where Prop 65 may apply:

• Fabric dyes or prints that contain lead, cadmium, or phthalates.
• Zippers, snaps, or metal hardware with trace heavy metals.
• Heat-transfer tags or stickers with regulated chemicals.

If your product is sold into California, you must comply—even if your business is not located in California.

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2. Provide the Correct Warning on Amazon Listings

Amazon requires sellers to disclose Prop 65 warnings at the listing level. When creating or editing a listing, you’ll see a section where you can add “Regulatory Compliance Information.”

Best practice:

• Use the exact warning language required by law.
• Example: “⚠️ WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including [chemical name], which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, visit http://www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.”
• Do not paraphrase or shorten the language.

Amazon monitors listings and may suppress non-compliant products, so always double-check that the warning appears both on the product detail page and packaging/labels.

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3. Choose a Permanent, Low-Risk Labeling Method

One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is relying on temporary stickers that can fall off, fade, or be applied inconsistently. If the warning is missing or illegible, you could face penalties even after the product ships.

Best practice: sew-on or permanent labels.

• Sew-in woven labels or printed fabric tags ensure every unit is covered.
• Heat-transfer or sticker-only solutions can wear off and may expose you to risk.
• Permanent labeling is a “set it and forget it” solution that lasts as long as the garment.

This one-time step can save thousands in potential fines, legal fees, or account suspensions.

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Prop 65 compliance isn’t optional on Amazon—it’s the law. The safest path is to:

1. Know when your products fall under Prop 65.
2. Add the correct warnings on your Amazon listings.
3. Use permanent labels or tags that ensure long-term compliance.

⚖️ Compliance protects your business.
🚫 Avoid fines, lawsuits, and suppressed listings.
🧵 Permanent sew-on labels = lasting peace of mind.

By taking these steps now, you’ll avoid the risk of Prop 65 penalties and build trust with your customers while keeping your Amazon business safe.