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Proposition 65 Notice for California Residents
At Fourth Element, your safety and satisfaction are our highest priorities. We are committed to providing the best possible in-water experience by using high-quality, durable materials. However, California law – specifically the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (commonly known as Proposition 65 or Prop 65) – requires businesses to disclose the presence of certain chemicals that the state recognizes as potential causes of cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
What Is Proposition 65?
Proposition 65 was enacted to protect California’s drinking water and reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. The state maintains a list of over 900 substances – both naturally occurring and synthetic – that require warnings if they are present in products sold or used in California. These chemicals can be found in many everyday items, including electronics, packaging, automotive products, and clothing. The law ensures consumers are informed about potential exposures, even if the risk is minimal.
It’s important to note that a Prop 65 warning does not mean a product is unsafe or will cause harm. For many listed substances, “safe harbor” exposure levels have been established. Products containing chemicals below these thresholds do not require warnings. However, businesses often provide warnings to comply with the law and avoid potential litigation.
Why Do Some Fourth Element Products Carry a Warning?
As part of our commitment to compliance, certain Fourth Element products may carry a Prop 65 warning if they contain chemicals on the state’s list – either directly or as a trace element in the materials used during manufacturing. These warnings allow us to meet California’s legal requirements while continuing to deliver products designed for your safety and enjoyment in the water.
Our Commitment to Product Safety and Sustainability
At Fourth Element, we continually strive to reduce or eliminate the use of potentially harmful substances in our products. Through ongoing research, collaboration with suppliers, and rigorous testing, we aim to minimize our environmental impact while maintaining the quality and durability you expect. These efforts also reflect our commitment to preserving the health of our oceans, waterways, and planet for future generations.
Thank you for trusting Fourth Element to enhance your in-water experience. If you have further questions about Prop 65 or our products, please visit the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment at www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm — www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
Although our headquarters are in the UK, because the products we ship to California potentially expose their residents to P65 listed chemicals, our website includes P65 warning on every product for the residents of California. The products we sell are neither illegal nor are they unsafe. In fact, we commit ourselves to doing everything we can source our produces responsibly to reduce the impact on human an environmental heath. However, we cannot decide if a product is right for you, and we will point you in the direction of any information where relevant. A full list is available at www.P65Warnings.ca.gov but some known examples are listed below:
WARNING: Products containing rubber adhesives can expose you to chemicals including Toluene, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. More information at www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
We have phased the use of these glues out from our wetsuits and neoprene products, favouring a toluene free alternative. Rubber adhesives are used in the manufacture of our drysuits.
WARNING: Products containing vinyl plastics (aka PVC) can expose you to chemicals including Phthalates, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. More information at www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
We are phasing out the use of PVC in our products, opting for better alternatives
WARNING: Products containing polycarbonate plastics can expose you to chemicals including Bisphenol A (BPA), which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. More information at www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Where possible we use BPA free plastics
WARNING: Products containing polystyrene plastics such as ABS can expose you to chemicals including Styrene Monomer, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. More information at www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
We are working to minimise the use of ABS plastic in our products, limiting it only to use where we are unaware of or unable to source an alternative.
WARNING: Products containing Flouroalkyl based waterproofing treatments often called DWR can expose you to chemicals collectively known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. More information at www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
We phased the use of these chemicals out over 10 years ago.
WARNING: Neoprene containing Thiuram and pthaltates can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. More information at www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
We are in the process of phasing out neoprene wetsuits containing these chemicals – our surface wetsuit is made with natural rubber and does not contain phthalates or thiuram and future innovations plan a removal of these materials from other products in our range.