Understanding the California Proposition 65 Warning

At Highland House we take the safety and health of our employees and our customers very seriously. As a family owned business operating in North Carolina, our owners, managers and employees live and work in the community where we make our furniture. We have always protected the health of our associates and the environment, not because of any law or award or recognition, but because it is the right thing to do. Our founder, Harley F. Shuford, left a legacy that is rich with corporate citizenship, and we strive each day to be known not only for our beautiful furniture but for our integrity in how we conduct business.

Proposition 65, officially named the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, was passed into law in 1986 by the state of California with the original intent of protecting drinking water sources from chemical contamination. However, since 1986 the scope of the law has grown to include such common substances as wood dust, brass and PVC. There are officially over 800 ingredients and chemicals on the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) list of carcinogen or reproductive toxicants. Many of the 800+ chemicals and substances are common ingredients and materials found in a variety of household goods such as lotions, jewelry, lamps, lead crystal glasses, automobiles, and furniture.

The Proposition 65 Warning Label is required by law on all products that may contain any of these ingredients and materials. You will find the Proposition 65 label on such everyday items as balsamic vinegar, boots and shoes, and prepackaged firewood.

One of the substances found on the Prop 65 list of potentially harmful materials is wood dust. As there is always a chance of wood dust or one of the other substances listed on Proposition 65 being present in our furniture, we are forced to include Proposition 65 warnings on all of our products. Under California law, there is a risk of large fines for not warning consumers and therefore, the specified warning label is placed on each piece of furniture Highland House sells. Further, the exact wording on the label is mandated by California law to read, "This product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm."

While the warning label is only required for items sold to California, Highland House builds and stores many items without knowing where these items may be shipping. Many of our larger customers also store furniture in central warehouses and ship into California. For this reason it is also important for our dealers to leave these warning labels on the furniture when shipping to customers in California. Corporately we have decided to label every piece of furniture we make with the California Proposition 65 warning regardless of its destination.

Highland House is committed to making beautiful, superior quality furniture that lasts for generations. We are also committed to our employees, associates and customers as a responsible domestic manufacturer of high end furniture. Be assured that we do everything possible to prevent harmful chemicals from coming into contact with you and your family.