FormNo.3441-962RevB
Flex-ForcePowerSystem
™
60V
StickEdger
ModelNo.51833—SerialNo.321000001andUp
Registeratwww.Toro.com.
OriginalInstructions(EN)
*3441-962*
Forassistance,pleasesee
www.Toro.com/support
forinstructionalvideos
orcontact1-888-384-9939
beforereturningthis
product.
WARNING
CALIFORNIA
Proposition65Warning
Thepowercordonthisproductcontains
lead,achemicalknowntotheState
ofCaliforniatocausebirthdefects
orotherreproductiveharm.Wash
handsafterhandling.
Useofthisproductmaycauseexposure
tochemicalsknowntotheStateof
Californiatocausecancer,birthdefects,
orotherreproductiveharm.
Introduction
Thisedgerisintendedtobeusedbyresidential
homeownerstotrimgrassaroundtheedgeof
driveways,sidewalks,andmoreasneededoutdoors.
ItisdesignedtouseToroFlex-Forcelithium-ion
batterypackModels88620(providedwithModel
51833),88625,Model88640,Model88660,or
Model88675.Thesebatterypacksaredesignedto
bechargedonlybybatterychargerModels88602,
88605,or88610(providedwithModel51833).Using
thisproductforpurposesotherthanitsintendeduse
couldprovedangeroustoyouandbystanders.
Readthisinformationcarefullytolearnhowtooperate
andmaintainyourproductproperlyandtoavoid
injuryandproductdamage.Youareresponsiblefor
operatingtheproductproperlyandsafely.
Visitwww.Toro.comforproductsafetyandoperation
trainingmaterials,accessoryinformation,helpnding
adealer,ortoregisteryourproduct.
Model51833Tdoesnotincludeabatteryora
charger.
Safety
ReadAllInstructions
WARNING—Whenusingelectricgardening
appliances,alwaysreadandfollowbasicsafety
warningsandinstructionstoreducetheriskofre,
electricshock,andpersonalinjury,includingthe
following:
IMPORTANTSAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
I.Training
1.Theoperatoroftheapplianceisresponsiblefor
anyaccidentsorhazardsoccurringtoothersor
theirproperty.
2.Donotallowchildrentouseorplaywiththe
appliance,batterypack,orthebatterycharger;
localregulationsmayrestricttheageofthe
operator.
3.Donotallowpeoplewithreducedphysical,
sensory,ormentalcapabilitiesorwithout
experienceandknowledgetousetheappliance,
batterypack,orbatterychargerunlessthey
receiveinstructionorsupervisiononusingit
safelyandunderstandthehazardsinvolved
whileusingit.
4.Beforeusingtheappliance,batterypack,and
batterycharger,readalltheinstructionsand
cautionarymarkingsontheseproducts.
5.Becomefamiliarwiththecontrolsandproper
useoftheappliance,batterypack,andbattery
charger.
II.Preparation
1.Keepbystandersandchildrenawayfromthe
operatingarea.
2.UseonlythebatterypackspeciedbyToro.
Usingotheraccessoriesandattachmentsmay
increasetheriskofinjuryandre.
3.Pluggingthebatterychargerintoanoutletthatis
not120Vcancauseareorelectricshock.Do
notplugthebatterychargerintoanoutletother
than120V.Foradifferentstyleofconnection,
useanattachmentplugadapteroftheproper
congurationforthepoweroutletifneeded.
4.Donotuseadamagedormodiedbattery
packorbatterycharger,whichmayexhibit
unpredictablebehaviorthatresultsinre,
explosion,orriskofinjury.
5.Ifthesupplycordtothebatterychargeris
damaged,contactanAuthorizedServiceDealer
toreplaceit.
6.Donotusenon-rechargeablebatteries.
©2020—TheToro®Company
8111LyndaleAvenueSouth
Bloomington,MN55420
2
Contactusatwww.Toro.com.
PrintedinChina
AllRightsReserved
7.Chargethebatterypackwithonlythebattery
chargerspeciedbyToro.Achargersuitablefor
1typeofbatterypackmaycreateariskofre
whenusedwithanotherbatterypack.
8.Chargethebatterypackinawell-ventilatedarea
only.
9.Donotexposeabatterypackorbatterycharger
toreortotemperatureshigherthan68°C
(154°F).
10.Followallcharginginstructionsanddo
notchargethebatterypackoutsideofthe
temperaturerangespeciedintheinstructions.
Otherwise,youmaydamagethebatterypack
andincreasetheriskofre.
11.Donotoperatetheappliancewithoutallguards
andothersafetyprotectivedevicesinplaceand
functioningproperlyontheappliance.
12.Dressproperly—Wearappropriateclothing,
includingeyeprotection;longpants;substantial,
slip-resistantfootwear;rubbergloves;and
hearingprotection.Tiebacklonghairanddo
notwearlooseclothingorloosejewelrythatcan
getcaughtinmovingparts.Wearadustmaskin
dustyoperatingconditions.
III.Operation
1.Avoiddangerousenvironments—Donotusethe
applianceinrainorindamporwetlocations.
2.Usetheproperapplianceforyour
application—Usingtheappliancefor
purposesotheranitsintendedusecouldprove
dangeroustoyouandbystanders.
3.Preventunintentionalstarting—Ensurethatthe
switchisintheOFFpositionbeforeconnecting
tothebatterypackandhandlingtheappliance.
Donotcarrytheappliancewithyourngeron
theswitchorenergizetheappliancewiththe
switchintheONposition.
4.Operatetheapplianceonlyindaylightorgood
articiallight.
5.Removethebatterypackfromtheappliance
beforeadjustingitorchangingaccessories.
6.Keepyourhandsandfeetawayfromthecutting
areaandallmovingparts.
7.Stoptheappliance,removethebatterypack
fromtheappliance,andwaitforallmovement
tostopbeforeadjusting,servicing,cleaning,or
storingtheappliance.
8.Removethebatterypackfromtheappliance
wheneveryouleaveitunattended.
9.Donotforcetheappliance—Allowtheappliance
todothejobbetterandsaferattheratefor
whichitwasdesigned.
10.Donotoverreach—Keepproperfootingand
balanceatalltimes,especiallyonslopes.Walk,
neverrunwiththeappliance.
11.Stayalert—Watchwhatyouaredoinganduse
commonsensewhenoperatingtheappliance.
Donotusetheappliancewhileill,tired,orunder
theinuenceofalcoholordrugs.
12.Ensurethattheventilationopeningsarekept
clearofdebris.
13.Underabusiveconditions,thebatterypackmay
ejectliquid;avoidcontact.Ifyouaccidently
comeintocontactwiththeliquid,ushwith
water.Iftheliquidcontactsyoureyes,seek
medicalhelp.Liquidejectedfromthebattery
packmaycauseirritationorburns.
14.CAUTION—Amistreatedbatterypackmay
presentariskofreorchemicalburn.Donot
disassemblethebatterypack.Donotheatthe
batterypackabove68°C(154°F)orincinerate
it.ReplacethebatterypackwithagenuineT oro
batterypackonly;usinganothertypeofbattery
packmaycauseareorexplosion.Keep
batterypacksoutofthereachofchildrenand
intheoriginalpackaginguntilyouarereadyto
usethem.
IV.MaintenanceandStorage
1.Maintaintheappliancewithcare—Keepitclean
andingoodrepairforbestperformanceandto
reducetheriskofinjury.Followtheinstructions
forlubricatingandchangingaccessories.Keep
handlesdry,clean,andfreefromoilandgrease.
2.Whenthebatterypackisnotinuse,keepit
awayfrommetalobjectssuchaspaperclips,
coins,keys,nails,andscrewsthatcanmakea
connectionfrom1terminaltoanother.Shorting
thebatteryterminalsmaycauseburnsorare.
3.Keepyourhandsandfeetawayfrommoving
parts.
4.Stoptheappliance,removethebatterypack
fromtheappliance,andwaitforallmovement
tostopbeforeadjusting,servicing,cleaning,or
storingtheappliance.
5.Checktheappliancefordamagedparts—Ifthere
aredamagedguardsorotherparts,determine
whetheritwilloperateproperly.Checkfor
misalignedandbindingmovingparts,broken
parts,mounting,andanyotherconditionthat
mayaffectitsoperation.Unlessindicatedinthe
instructions,haveanAuthorizedServiceDealer
repairorreplaceadamagedguardorpart.
6.Ifthebladebecomesworn,bent,ordamaged,
replaceit;contactanauthorizedT orodistributor.
3
7.Donotreplacetheexistingnon-metalliccutting
meansontheappliancewithametalliccutting
means.
8.Donotattempttoserviceorrepairtheappliance,
batterypack,orbatterychargerexceptas
indicatedintheinstructions.HaveanAuthorized
ServiceDealerperformserviceusingidentical
replacementpartstoensurethattheproductis
safelymaintained.
9.Storeanidleapplianceindoorsinaplacethatis
dry,secure,andoutofthereachofchildren.
10.Donotdisposeofthebatteryinare.The
cellmayexplode.Checkwithlocalcodesfor
possiblespecialdisposalinstructions.
SAVETHESE
INSTRUCTIONS
4
SafetyandInstructionalDecals
Safetydecalsandinstructionsareeasilyvisibletotheoperatorandarelocatednearanyarea
ofpotentialdanger.Replaceanydecalthatisdamagedormissing.
decal139-5350
139-5350
decal139-5360
139-5360
decal144-3098
144-3098
decal144-3096
144-3096
decal144-3088
144-3088
5
decal144-3094
144-3094
1.Thebatterypackis
charging.
3.Thebatterypackisover
orundertheappropriate
temperaturerange.
2.Thebatterypackisfully
charged.
4.Batterypackchargingfault
decal140-8475
140-8475
1.ReadtheOperator’s
Manual.
3.Keepawayfromopenre
orames.
2.Call2Recycle®battery
recyclingprogram
4.Donotexposetorain.
decal137-9461
137-9461
1.Batterychargestatus
decal139-5210
139-5210
1.Warning—readtheOperator’sManual;stayawayfrom
movingparts;keepallguardsinplace;weareyeprotection;
donotoperateinwetconditions.
6
Setup
LooseParts
Usethechartbelowtoverifythatallpartshavebeenshipped.
ProcedureDescription
Qty.
Use
1
Allenwrench1
Unfoldthehandle.
2
Auxiliaryhandleassembly1Installtheauxiliaryhandle.
Note:Thebatterypackisnotfullychargedwhenyou
purchaseit.Beforeusingthetoolforthersttime,
refertoChargingtheBatteryPack(page12).
1
UnfoldingtheHandle
Partsneededforthisprocedure:
1Allenwrench
Procedure
1.Unfoldthehandle(AofFigure1).
2.Alignthelockingbuttononthelowershaftwiththeslottedholeontheuppershaftandslidethe2shafts
together(BandCofFigure1).
Note:Thelockingbuttonclicksintotheslottedholewhentheshaftsaresecured(DofFigure1).
3.UsingtheprovidedAllenwrench,tightenthescrewontheshaftconnectoruntilitissecure(EofFigure1).
7
g333338
Figure1
8
2
InstallingtheAuxiliaryHandle
Partsneededforthisprocedure:
1Auxiliaryhandleassembly
Procedure
1.Separatetheauxiliaryhandlefromthehandleplatebyremovingthe4screws(AofFigure2).
2.Lineuptheauxiliaryhandlewithauxiliaryhandleplateontheedgerhandle(BofFigure2).
3.Securetheauxiliaryhandletothehandleplatewiththe4screwspreviouslyremoved(CofFigure2).
g333337
Figure2
9
ProductOverview
Specications
Model51833
BladeLength
203mm(8inches)
RatedVoltage
60VDCmaximum,54VDC
nominalusage
No-loadSpeed
7000rpm
Weight(withoutbattery
pack)
4.7kg(10.4lbs)
ChargerType88610(includedwith51833),
88602,or88605
BatteryType
88620(includedwith51833),
88625,88640,88660,or
88675
AppropriateTemperatureRanges
Charge/storethebatterypack
at
5°C(41°F)to40°C(104°F)*
Usethebatterypackat
-30°C(-22°F)to49°C(120°F)
Usetheedgerat
0°C(32°F)to49°C(120°F)
Storetheedgerat0°C(32°F)to49°C(120°F)*
*Chargingtimewillincreaseifyoudonotchargethe
batterywithinthisrange.
Storethetool,batterypack,andbatterychargerinan
enclosedclean,dryarea.
Operation
StartingtheEdger
1.Alignthecavityinthebatterypackwiththe
tongueonthehandlehousing(Figure3).
2.Pushthebatterypackintothehandleuntilthe
batterylocksintothelatch(Figure3).
g333238
Figure3
1.Batterylatch
3.Tostarttheedger,pullbackonthelockout
button,thensqueezetheruntrigger(Figure4).
Note:Oncetheedgerisrunningyoucan
releasethelockoutbutton.
g333239
Figure4
1.Lockoutbutton2.Runtrigger
10
ShuttingOfftheEdger
Toshutoffthetrimmer,releasethetrigger.
Wheneveryouarenotusingtheedgerorare
transportingtheedgertoorfromtheworkarea,
removethebatterypack.
RemovingtheBatteryPack
fromtheTrimmer
Pressthebatterylatchonthemachinetoreleasethe
batterypackandslidethebatterypackoutofthe
machine(Figure5).
g333240
Figure5
1.Batterylatch
AdjustingtheDepthofCut
1.Removethebatteryfromtheedger.
2.Loosenthewingnutonthewheelandmoveit
upordowninthetracktoincreaseordecrease
thedepth(Figure6).
g333293
Figure6
3.Adjustthedepthsothatthebladebarelytouches
thegroundwhenthemachineisheldinanormal
workingposition.
4.Tightenthewingnut.
5.Standinginanormalworkingposition,checkthe
depthofcutagainandcorrectifnecessary.
11
ChargingtheBatteryPack
Important:Thebatterypackisnotfullycharged
whenyoupurchaseit.Beforeusingthetoolfor
thersttime,placethebatterypackinthecharger
andchargeituntiltheLEDdisplayindicatesthe
batterypackisfullycharged.Readallsafety
precautions.
Important:Chargethebatterypackonlyin
temperaturesthatarewithintheappropriate
range;refertoSpecications(page10).
Note:Atanytime,pressthebattery-charge-indicator
buttononthebatterypacktodisplaythecurrent
charge(LEDindicators).
1.Ensurethattheventsonthebatteryandcharger
areclearofanydustanddebris.
g330066
Figure7
1.Batterypackcavity
5.LEDindicators(current
charge)
2.Batterypackventingareas6.Handle
3.Batterypackterminals
7.Charger
4.Battery-charge-indicator
button
2.Lineupthechargerwiththecavityontheback
ofthebatterypack(Figure7).
3.Slidethechargerintothebatterypackuntilitis
fullyseated(Figure7).
4.Toremovethecharger,slidethecharger
backwardoutofthebattery.
5.RefertothefollowingtabletointerprettheLED
indicatorlightonthebatterycharger.
Indicator
light
Indicates
Off
Nobatterypackinserted
Green
blinking
Batterypackischarging
Green
Batterypackischarged
Red
Batterypackand/orbatterychargerisoverorunder
theappropriatetemperaturerange
Red
blinking
Batterypackchargingfault*
*RefertoTroubleshooting(page15)formore
information.
Important:Thebatterycanbeleftonthecharger
forshortperiodsbetweenuses.
Ifthebatterywillnotbeusedforlongerperiods,
removethebatteryfromthecharger;referto
Storage(page14).
OperatingTips
•Holdtheedgerwithyourrighthandontherear
handleandyourlefthandonthefronthandle.
•Keeparmgripwithbothhandswhileinoperation.
•Theedgershouldbeheldatacomfortableposition
withtherearhandleatabouthipheight.
•Theedgerwilledgealongsidewalks,driveways,
owerbeds,curbs,andsimilarareas.
•Cutatasteadypace.Ifthebladebeginstoslow
down,youareedgingtoofast;slowyourpace.Do
notforcethebladeintotheground.
•Lightcontactofthebladeagainstthesidewalk
edge,curb,etc.,isacceptableandwillnotdamage
theedger.
•T oachievethebestappearance,edgewhengrass
isdry.Edginginwetsoilorwetgrassareasmight
clogthebladeguardandresultinanuneven
edge.Ifthebladeguardbecomesclogged,stop
theedger,removethebatteryandremovedebris
fromthebladeguard.
g333294
Figure8
1.Blade2.Wheel
12
Maintenance
Aftereachuseoftheedger,completethefollowing:
1.Removethebatteryfromtheedger.
2.Wipetheedgercleanwithadampcloth.Donot
hosetheedgerdownorsubmergeitinwater.
3.Wipeorscrapecleanthecuttingheadareaany
timethereisanaccumulationofdebris.
4.Checkandtightenallfasteners.Ifanypartis
damagedorlost,repairorreplaceit.
5.Brushdebrisawayfromairintakeventsand
exhaustonmotorhousingtopreventthemotor
fromoverheating.
ReplacingtheBlade
Ifthebladebecomesworn,bent,ordamaged,replace
it;contactyourauthorizedT orodistributor.
1.Ensurethatthebatteryisremovedfromthe
machine.
2.Securethebladesothatitcannotspinby
insertingascrewdriver(notincluded)totheslot
intheedgerheadasshowninFigure10.
3.Removethebladenutbyturningitclockwise
usingthewrenchprovided(Figure9).
g334038
Figure9
1.Rotateclockwisetoloosen
thebladenut
2.Rotatecounterclockwise
totightenthebladenut
4.Removethebladewasherandtheoldblade
(Figure10).
Note:Youmaydiscardtheoldblade.
5.Installthenewbladeandsecureitwiththe
previouslyremovedbladewasherandbladenut.
g334037
Figure10
1.Wrench4.Blade
2.Bladenut5.Blade-secureslot
3.Bladewasher
6.Screwdriver(notincluded)
6.Tightenthebladenutbyturningit
counterclockwisewiththewrenchprovided
(Figure9).
ReplacingtheWheel
1.Ensurethatthebatteryisremovedfromthe
machine.
2.Removethewingnut,washer,bushings,
wheel,rubberwasher,andwheelaxlefromthe
depth-of-cuttrackontheedger(Figure11).
g334039
Figure11
1.Depth-of-cuttrack
5.Bushings
2.Wheelaxle6.Washer
3.Wheel7.Wingnut
4.Rubberwasher
3.Replaceanydamagedormissingparts;contact
yourauthorizedT orodistributor.
4.Insertthewheelaxlethroughthetrackwiththe
tabfacingdownasshowninFigure11.
5.Installtherubberwasher,bushings,wheel,small
washer,andwingnuttotheaxle(Figure11).
13
6.Tightenthewingnuttosecurethewheel.
ReplacingtheSkidPlate
Iftheskidplatebecomeswornordamaged,replace
it;contactyourauthorizedT orodistributor.
1.Ensurethatthebatteryisremovedfromthe
machine.
2.Removethe2screwssecuringtheskidplate
totheedger(Figure8).
g344651
Figure12
1.Skidplate2.Screws
3.Replacetheskidplateandsecureitusingthe2
screwsremovedpreviously.
Storage
Important:Storethetool,batterypack,and
chargeronlyintemperaturesthatarewithinthe
appropriaterange;refertoSpecications(page
10).
Important:Ifyouarestoringthebatterypackfor
theoff-season,removethebatterypackfromthe
toolandchargethebatterypackuntil2or3LED
indicatorsturngreenonthebattery.Donotstore
afullychargedorfullydepletedbattery.Whenyou
arereadytousethetoolagain,chargethebattery
packuntiltheleftindicatorlightturnsgreenon
thechargerorall4LEDindicatorsturngreenon
thebattery.
•Disconnecttheproductfromthepowersupply
(i.e.,removetheplugfromthepowersupplyorthe
batterypack)andcheckfordamageafteruse.
•Donotstorethetoolwiththebatterypackinstalled.
•Cleanallforeignmaterialfromtheproduct.
•Whennotinuse,storethetool,batterypack,and
batterychargeroutofthereachofchildren.
•Keepthetool,batterypack,andbatterycharger
awayfromcorrosiveagents,suchasgarden
chemicalsandde-icingsalts.
•T oreducetheriskofseriouspersonalinjury,do
notstorethebatterypackoutsideorinvehicles.
•Storethetool,batterypack,andbatterycharger
inanenclosedclean,dryarea.
PreparingtheBatteryPack
forRecycling
Important:Uponremoval,covertheterminalsof
thebatterypackwithheavy-dutyadhesivetape.
Donotattempttodestroyordisassemblethe
batterypackorremoveanyofitscomponents.
Lithium-ionbatterypackslabeledwiththe
Call2Recyclesealcanberecycledatany
participatingretailerorbatteryrecycling
facilityintheCall2Recycleprogram(US
andCanadaonly).Tolocateaparticipating
retailerorfacilityclosesttoyou,pleasecall
1-800-822-8837orvisitwww.call2recycle.org.
Ifyoucannotlocateaparticipatingretaileror
facilitynearby,orifyourrechargeablebattery
isnotlabeledwiththeCall2Recycleseal,
pleasecontactyourlocalmunicipalityformore
informationonhowtoresponsiblyrecyclethe
battery.IfyouarelocatedoutsideoftheUS
andCanada,pleasecontactyourauthorized
Torodistributor.
14
Troubleshooting
Performonlythestepsdescribedintheseinstructions.Allfurtherinspection,maintenance,andrepairwork
mustbeperformedbyanauthorizedservicecenterorasimilarlyqualiedspecialistifyoucannotsolvethe
problemyourself.
Problem
PossibleCauseCorrectiveAction
1.Thebatteryisnotfullyinstalledinthe
tool.
1.Removeandthenreplacethebattery
intothetool,makingsurethatitisfully
installedandlatched.
2.Thebatterypackisnotcharged.
2.Removethebatterypackfromthetool
andchargeit.
3.Thebatterypackisdamaged.3.Replacethebatterypack.
Thetooldoesnotstart.
4.Thereisanotherelectricalproblem
withthetool.
4.ContactanAuthorizedServiceDealer.
1.Thebatterypackchargecapacityis
toolow.
1.Removethebatterypackfromthetool
andfullychargethebatterypack.
Thetooldoesnotreachfullpower.
2.Theairventsareblocked.
2.Cleantheairvents.
1.Thereisdebrisonthecuttingheadof
theedger.
1.Cleananydebrisofffromthecutting
headarea.
Thetoolisproducingexcessivevibration
ornoise.
2.Thebladeisnotproperlytightened.2.Tightentheblade.
1.Thedepthissettoolow.
1.Raisethedepthofcut.
Theedgerstopsduringuse.
2.Walkingorcuttingtoofast.2.Slowyourpacesothemachinecan
workeffectively.
Thebatterypackloseschargequickly.1.Thebatterypackisoverorunderthe
appropriatetemperaturerange.
1.Movethebatterypacktoaplace
whereitisdryandthetemperatureis
between5°C(41°F)and40°C(104°F).
1.Thebatterychargerisoverorunder
theappropriatetemperaturerange.
1.Unplugthebatterychargerandmove
ittoaplacewhereitisdryandthe
temperatureisbetween5°C(41°F)
and40°C(104°F).
Thebatterychargerisnotworking.
2.Theoutletthatthebatterychargeris
pluggedintodoesnothavepower.
2.Contactyourlicensedelectricianto
repairtheoutlet.
TheLEDindicatorlightonthebattery
chargerisred.
1.Thebatterychargerand/orbattery
packisoverorundertheappropriate
temperaturerange.
1.Unplugthebatterychargerandmove
thebatterychargerandbatterypack
toaplacewhereitisdryandthe
temperatureisbetween5°C(41°F)
and40°C(104°F).
1.Thereisanerrorinthecommunication
betweenthebatterypackandthe
charger.
1.Removethebatterypackfromthe
batterycharger,unplugthebattery
chargerfromtheoutlet,andwait10
seconds.Plugthebatterychargerinto
theoutletagainandplacethebattery
packonthebatterycharger.IftheLED
indicatorlightonthebatterychargeris
stillblinkingred,repeatthisprocedure
again.IftheLEDindicatorlighton
thebatterychargerisstillblinkingred
after2attempts,properlydisposeof
thebatterypackatabatteryrecycling
facility.
TheLEDindicatorlightonthebattery
chargerisblinkingred.
2.Thebatterypackisweak.
2.Properlydisposeofthebatterypackat
abatteryrecyclingfacility.
15
Problem
PossibleCauseCorrectiveAction
1.Thereismoistureontheleadsofthe
batterypack.
1.Allowthebatterypacktodryorwipeit
dry.
Thetooldoesnotrunorruncontinuously.
2.Thebatteryisnotfullyinstalledintothe
tool.
2.Removeandthenreplacethebattery
intothetoolmakingsurethatitisfully
installedandlatched.
16
Notes:
Notes:
CaliforniaProposition65WarningInformation
Whatisthiswarning?
Youmayseeaproductforsalethathasawarninglabellikethefollowing:
WARNING:CancerandReproductiveHarm—www.p65Warnings.ca.gov.
WhatisProp65?
Prop65appliestoanycompanyoperatinginCalifornia,sellingproductsinCalifornia,ormanufacturingproductsthatmaybesoldinorbroughtinto
California.ItmandatesthattheGovernorofCaliforniamaintainandpublishalistofchemicalsknowntocausecancer,birthdefects,and/orother
reproductiveharm.Thelist,whichisupdatedannually,includeshundredsofchemicalsfoundinmanyeverydayitems.ThepurposeofProp65isto
informthepublicaboutexposuretothesechemicals.
Prop65doesnotbanthesaleofproductscontainingthesechemicalsbutinsteadrequireswarningsonanyproduct,productpackaging,orliteraturewith
theproduct.Moreover,aProp65warningdoesnotmeanthataproductisinviolationofanyproductsafetystandardsorrequirements.Infact,the
CaliforniagovernmenthasclariedthataProp65warning“isnotthesameasaregulatorydecisionthataproductis‘safe’or‘unsafe.’”Manyofthese
chemicalshavebeenusedineverydayproductsforyearswithoutdocumentedharm.Formoreinformation,gotohttps://oag.ca.gov/prop65/faqs-view-all
.
AProp65warningmeansthatacompanyhaseither(1)evaluatedtheexposureandhasconcludedthatitexceedsthe“nosignicantrisklevel”;or(2)
haschosentoprovideawarningbasedonitsunderstandingaboutthepresenceofalistedchemicalwithoutattemptingtoevaluatetheexposure.
Doesthislawapplyeverywhere?
Prop65warningsarerequiredunderCalifornialawonly.ThesewarningsareseenthroughoutCaliforniainawiderangeofsettings,includingbutnot
limitedtorestaurants,grocerystores,hotels,schools,andhospitals,andonawidevarietyofproducts.Additionally,someonlineandmailorder
retailersprovideProp65warningsontheirwebsitesorincatalogs.
HowdotheCaliforniawarningscomparetofederallimits?
Prop65standardsareoftenmorestringentthanfederalandinternationalstandards.TherearevarioussubstancesthatrequireaProp65warning
atlevelsthatarefarlowerthanfederalactionlimits.Forexample,theProp65standardforwarningsforleadis0.5μg/day,whichiswellbelow
thefederalandinternationalstandards.
Whydon’tallsimilarproductscarrythewarning?
•ProductssoldinCaliforniarequireProp65labellingwhilesimilarproductssoldelsewheredonot.
•AcompanyinvolvedinaProp65lawsuitreachingasettlementmayberequiredtouseProp65warningsforitsproducts,butothercompanies
makingsimilarproductsmayhavenosuchrequirement.
•TheenforcementofProp65isinconsistent.
•CompaniesmayelectnottoprovidewarningsbecausetheyconcludethattheyarenotrequiredtodosounderProp65;alackofwarningsfora
productdoesnotmeanthattheproductisfreeoflistedchemicalsatsimilarlevels.
Whydoesthemanufacturerincludethiswarning?
themanufacturerhaschosentoprovideconsumerswithasmuchinformationaspossiblesothattheycanmakeinformeddecisionsabouttheproducts
theybuyanduse.themanufacturerprovideswarningsincertaincasesbasedonitsknowledgeofthepresenceofoneormorelistedchemicalswithout
evaluatingthelevelofexposure,asnotallthelistedchemicalsprovideexposurelimitrequirements.Whiletheexposurefromthemanufacturerproducts
maybenegligibleorwellwithinthe“nosignicantrisk”range,outofanabundanceofcaution,themanufacturerhaselectedtoprovidetheProp65
warnings.Moreover,ifthemanufacturerdoesnotprovidethesewarnings,itcouldbesuedbytheStateofCaliforniaorbyprivatepartiesseekingto
enforceProp65andsubjecttosubstantialpenalties.
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