California Proposition 65 Compliance Declaration — Automatic Valve Industrial

Scope of the Declaration

This declaration applies to all products manufactured by ROSS Controls, ROSS DECCO, Automatic Valve Industrial, and Master Pneumatic. These products include pneumatic valves, solenoid valves, hydraulic valves, air preparation equipment such as filters, regulators, and lubricators, and customized pneumatic and hydraulic solutions used in industrial automation, manufacturing, and fluid power applications. The declaration specifically addresses the fact that certain ROSS products may contain trace amounts of listed chemicals, such as lead and lead alloys found in casted valve bodies commonly used in valve assemblies.

What Is California Proposition 65?

California Proposition 65, officially titled the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is a landmark right-to-know law enacted by California voters. The law requires the State of California to publish and maintain a list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Businesses with ten or more employees that operate in California or sell products into the state are required to provide clear and reasonable warnings before exposing individuals to any listed chemical, unless the exposure is below established safe harbor levels.

Proposition 65 does not ban or restrict the sale or use of any listed chemical. Instead, it places the burden on businesses to inform consumers about potential exposures. Over the years, the Prop 65 chemical list has grown to include more than 900 substances, ranging from heavy metals and industrial solvents to naturally occurring compounds. The list is updated at least once per year by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA).

Warning Requirements Under Prop 65

Under Proposition 65, businesses must provide a clear and reasonable warning before knowingly and intentionally exposing anyone in California to a listed chemical. The warning must be provided unless the business can demonstrate that the exposure poses no significant risk of cancer (for carcinogens) or that the exposure is well below the no observable effect level (for reproductive toxicants). Effective August 2018, updated Prop 65 regulations require specific warning formats, including the name of at least one listed chemical causing the exposure and standardized warning language. Product manufacturers, distributors, and retailers all share responsibility for compliance, though the entity placing the product into the California market typically bears the primary obligation.

Why Testing for Compliance Is Challenging

ROSS Controls has determined that conducting testing to certify exposure levels below Prop 65 safe harbor thresholds is virtually impossible for its product range. Several factors contribute to this challenge. The Prop 65 chemical list is updated periodically, meaning new substances can be added at any time. Pneumatic valve products contain complex assemblies with multiple materials, including metals, elastomers, and lubricants, each potentially containing trace amounts of different listed chemicals. The variety and volume of products manufactured make individual product-level testing impractical. For these reasons, ROSS has adopted a precautionary labeling approach, applying Prop 65 warnings broadly to products and packaging destined for California.

ROSS Controls' Compliance Approach

Rather than attempting to test every product for compliance with the ever-expanding Prop 65 chemical list, ROSS has adopted a company-wide labeling policy. Products that may be shipped to or sold to consumers in California are labeled with Prop 65 warning language on the product itself or on the product packaging. This approach ensures compliance with California law while being transparent with customers about the potential presence of listed chemicals.

The presence of a Prop 65 warning does not necessarily mean that a product poses a health risk during normal use. Many industrial products, including pneumatic valves and related components, contain trace amounts of substances such as lead in brass fittings or valve bodies. These materials are standard in the fluid power industry and are used in accordance with applicable engineering specifications and regulatory exemptions. The warning is a legal compliance measure specific to California's right-to-know requirements.

Relevance to Industrial Customers and Distributors

For OEMs, distributors, and end users purchasing Automatic Valve products, understanding Proposition 65 compliance is important for several reasons. Companies that resell or incorporate ROSS products into their own assemblies and sell them in California may have downstream Prop 65 obligations. Having access to the supplier's Prop 65 declaration helps these businesses assess their own labeling requirements and maintain compliance documentation.

Industrial products such as pneumatic valves are typically used in commercial and industrial settings rather than consumer applications, which can affect how Prop 65 requirements apply. However, the broad reach of Prop 65 means that any product sold or distributed in California, regardless of end-use environment, may trigger warning obligations. ROSS's proactive labeling approach simplifies compliance for its distribution partners and OEM customers by providing warnings at the point of manufacture.

Impact on Product Packaging and Labeling

Customers receiving ROSS, Automatic Valve, ROSS DECCO, or Master Pneumatic products intended for the California market will see Prop 65 warning labels on the product or its packaging. These labels follow the format required by California's OEHHA regulations and are designed to comply with the most current warning requirements. If customers have questions about specific chemicals or the labeling applied to particular products, they may contact ROSS's Marketing Department at 248.764.1800 for further information.

Download the Proposition 65 Compliance Declaration

The full Proposition 65 Compliance Declaration issued by ROSS Controls, covering Automatic Valve Industrial, ROSS DECCO, and Master Pneumatic products, is available for download in PDF format. This document can be used by procurement teams, compliance officers, environmental health and safety managers, and distribution partners to support their own Prop 65 compliance documentation and supplier qualification files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Prop 65 warning mean Automatic Valve products are unsafe?

No. A Proposition 65 warning does not mean that a product will cause cancer or reproductive harm. It indicates that the product may contain one or more of the 900+ chemicals on California's Prop 65 list. Many everyday products, including food, beverages, and building materials, carry Prop 65 warnings. ROSS applies warnings as a precautionary measure to comply with California law.

Why does ROSS label products instead of testing for Prop 65 compliance?

ROSS manufactures a wide range of pneumatic and hydraulic products using complex assemblies of metals, elastomers, and other materials. Given the number of listed chemicals (over 900, with new substances added regularly), testing every product for every listed substance is not feasible. The labeling approach is a legally accepted compliance method under Prop 65.

Which ROSS products carry Proposition 65 warnings?

ROSS has adopted a company-wide labeling policy, so products that may be shipped to or sold in California are labeled with Prop 65 warning language. This applies across all ROSS brands, including ROSS Controls, ROSS DECCO, Automatic Valve Industrial, and Master Pneumatic.

What specific chemicals are present in Automatic Valve products that trigger Prop 65?

The most common listed chemical found in pneumatic valve products is lead, which may be present in trace amounts in casted valve bodies and brass components. Brass is a standard material in the fluid power industry and is used in valve bodies, fittings, and other components. Additional listed chemicals may also be present in trace amounts in other product materials.

Where can I find more information about Proposition 65?

For more information about California Proposition 65, including the current list of chemicals, warning requirements, and enforcement guidance, visit the official California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) website at www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.