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  7. Flex-Force Power System 24in 60V Hedge Trimmer
Flex-Force Power System 24in 60V Hedge Trimmer

Toro Flex-Force Power System 24in 60V Hedge Trimmer, 51841 User guide

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FormNo.3440-113RevA
Flex-ForcePowerSystem
™
24in
60VHedgeTrimmer
ModelNo.51841—SerialNo.320000001andUp
Registeratwww.Toro.com.
OriginalInstructions(EN)
*3440-113*
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
Thishedgetrimmerisintendedtobeusedby
residentialhomeownerstomaintainbushesand
hedges.Itisdesignedtouselithium-ionbatterypack
Models88620(providedwithModel51841),88625,
88640,88660,or88675.Thesebatterypacksare
designedtobechargedonlybybatterychargerModel
88602orModel88610(providedwithModel51841).
Usingtheseproductsforpurposesotherthantheir
intendedusecouldprovedangeroustoyouand
bystanders.
Readthisinformationcarefullytolearnhowtooperate
andmaintainyourproductproperlyandtoavoid
injuryandproductdamage.Youareresponsiblefor
operatingtheproductproperlyandsafely.
Visitwww.Toro.comformoreinformation,including
safetytips,trainingmaterials,accessoryinformation,
helpndingadealer,ortoregisteryourproduct.
Wheneveryouneedservice,genuinethe
manufacturerparts,oradditionalinformation,contact
anAuthorizedServiceDealerorthemanufacturer
CustomerServiceandhavethemodelandserial
numbersofyourproductready.Figure1identies
thelocationofthemodelandserialnumbersonthe
product.Writethenumbersinthespaceprovided.
Important:Withyourmobiledevice,youcan
scantheQRcode(ifequipped)ontheserial
numberplatetoaccesswarranty,parts,andother
productinformation.
g308284
Figure1
1.Modelandserialnumberlocation
©2020—TheToro®Company
8111LyndaleAvenueSouth
Bloomington,MN55420
2
Contactusatwww.Toro.com.
PrintedinChina
AllRightsReserved
Safety
WARNING
Readallsafetywarnings,instructions,illustrationsandspecicationsprovidedwiththis
powertool.
Failuretofollowthewarningsandinstructionsmayresultinelectricshock,reand/orserious
injury.
Saveallwarningsandinstructionsforfuture
reference.
Theterm"powertool"inthewarningsrefers
toyourmains-operated(corded)powertoolor
battery-operated(cordless)powertool.
IMPORTANTSAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
I.Workareasafety
1.Keepworkareacleanandwelllit.Cluttered
ordarkareasinviteaccidents.
2.Donotoperatepowertoolsinexplosive
atmospheres,suchasinthepresenceof
ammableliquids,gasesordust.Power
toolscreatesparkswhichmayignitethedust
orfumes.
3.Keepchildrenandbystandersawaywhile
operatingapowertool.Distractionscancause
youtolosecontrol.
II.Electricalsafety
1.Powertoolplugsmustmatchtheoutlet.
Nevermodifythepluginanyway.Donotuse
anyadapterplugswithearthed(grounded)
powertools.Unmodiedplugsandmatching
outletswillreduceriskofelectricshock.
2.Avoidbodycontactwithearthedorgrounded
surfaces,suchaspipes,radiators,ranges
andrefrigerators.Thereisanincreasedrisk
ofelectricshockifyourbodyisearthedor
grounded.
3.Donotexposepowertoolstorainorwet
conditions.Waterenteringapowertoolwill
increasetheriskofelectricshock..
4.Donotabusethecord.Neverusethecord
forcarrying,pullingorunpluggingthepower
tool.Keepcordawayfromheat,oil,sharp
edgesormovingparts.Damagedorentangled
cordsincreasetheriskofelectricshock.
5.Whenoperatingapowertooloutdoors,use
anextensioncordsuitableforoutdooruse.
Useofacordsuitableforoutdoorusereduces
theriskofelectricshock.
6.Ifoperatingapowertoolinadamplocation
isunavoidable,usearesidualcurrentdevice
(RCD)protectedsupply.UseofanRCD
reducestheriskofelectricshock.
III.Personalsafety
1.Stayalert,watchwhatyouaredoingand
usecommonsensewhenoperatingapower
tool.Donotuseapowertoolwhileyouare
tiredorundertheinuenceofdrugs,alcohol
ormedication.Amomentofinattentionwhile
operatingpowertoolsmayresultinserious
personalinjury.
2.Usepersonalprotectiveequipment.Always
weareyeprotection.Protectiveequipment
suchasadustmask,non-skidsafetyshoes,
hardhatorhearingprotectionusedfor
appropriateconditionswillreducepersonal
injuries.
3.Preventunintentionalstarting.Ensure
theswitchisintheoff-positionbefore
connectingtopowersourceand/orbattery
pack,pickinguporcarryingthetool.Carrying
powertoolswithyourngerontheswitchor
energizingpowertoolsthathavetheswitchon
invitesaccidents.
4.Removeanyadjustingkeyorwrenchbefore
turningthepowertoolon.Awrenchorakey
leftattachedtoarotatingpartofthepowertool
mayresultinpersonalinjury.
5.Donotoverreach.Keepproperfootingand
balanceatalltimes.Thisenablesbettercontrol
ofthepowertoolinunexpectedsituations.
6.Dressproperly.Donotwearlooseclothingor
jewellery.Keepyourhairandclothingaway
frommovingparts.Looseclothes,jewelryor
longhaircanbecaughtinmovingparts.
7.Ifdevicesareprovidedfortheconnection
ofdustextractionandcollectionfacilities,
ensuretheseareconnectedandproperly
used.Useofdustcollectioncanreduce
dust-relatedhazards.
8.Donotletfamiliaritygainedfromfrequent
useoftoolsallowyoutobecomecomplacent
andignoretoolsafetyprinciples.Acareless
3
actioncancausesevereinjurywithinafraction
ofasecond.
IV.Powertooluseandcare
1.Donotforcethepowertool.Usethecorrect
powertoolforyourapplication.Thecorrect
powertoolwilldothejobbetterandsaferatthe
rateforwhichitwasdesigned.
2.Donotusethepowertooliftheswitch
doesnotturnitonandoff.Anypowertool
thatcannotbecontrolledwiththeswitchis
dangerousandmustberepaired.
3.Disconnecttheplugfromthepowersource
and/orremovethebatterypack,ifdetachable,
fromthepowertoolbeforemakingany
adjustments,changingaccessories,or
storingpowertools.Suchpreventivesafety
measuresreducetheriskofstartingthepower
toolaccidentally.
4.Storeidlepowertoolsoutofthereachof
childrenanddonotallowpersonsunfamiliar
withthepowertoolortheseinstructions
tooperatethepowertool.Powertoolsare
dangerousinthehandsofuntrainedusers.
5.Maintainpowertoolsandaccessories.
Checkformisalignmentorbindingofmoving
parts,breakageofpartsandanyother
conditionthatmayaffectthepowertool’s
operation.Ifdamaged,havethepowertool
repairedbeforeuse.Manyaccidentsare
causedbypoorlymaintainedpowertools.
6.Keepcuttingtoolssharpandclean.Properly
maintainedcuttingtoolswithsharpcuttingedges
arelesslikelytobindandareeasiertocontrol.
7.Usethepowertool,accessoriesandtoolbits
etc.inaccordancewiththeseinstructions,
takingintoaccounttheworkingconditions
andtheworktobeperformed.Useofthe
powertoolforoperationsdifferentfromthose
intendedcouldresultinahazardoussituation.
8.Keephandlesandgraspingsurfacesdry,
cleanandfreefromoilandgrease.Slippery
handlesandgraspingsurfacesdonotallow
forsafehandlingandcontrolofthetoolin
unexpectedsituations.
V.Batterytooluseandcare
1.Rechargeonlywiththechargerspeciedby
themanufacturer.Achargerthatissuitablefor
onetypeofbatterypackmaycreateariskofre
whenusedwithanotherbatterypack.
2.Usepowertoolsonlywithspecically
designatedbatterypacks.Useofanyother
batterypacksmaycreateariskofinjuryandre.
3.Whenbatterypackisnotinuse,keepitaway
fromothermetalobjects,likepaperclips,
coins,keys,nails,screwsorothersmall
metalobjects,thatcanmakeaconnection
fromoneterminaltoanother.Shortingthe
batteryterminalstogethermaycauseburnsor
are.
4.Underabusiveconditions,liquidmaybe
ejectedfromthebattery;avoidcontact.If
contactaccidentallyoccurs,ushwithwater.
Ifliquidcontactseyes,additionallyseek
medicalhelp.Liquidejectedfromthebattery
maycauseirritationorburns.
5.Donotuseabatterypackortoolthatis
damagedormodied.Damagedormodied
batteriesmayexhibitunpredictablebehaviour
resultinginre,explosionorriskofinjury.
6.Donotexposeabatterypackortooltore
orexcessivetemperature.Exposuretoreor
temperatureabove130°C(265°F)maycause
explosion.
7.Followallcharginginstructionsanddo
notchargethebatterypackortooloutside
thetemperaturerangespeciedinthe
instructions.Chargingimproperlyorat
temperaturesoutsidethespeciedrangemay
damagethebatteryandincreasetheriskofre.
VI.Service
1.Haveyourpowertoolservicedbya
qualiedrepairpersonusingonlyidentical
replacementparts.Thiswillensurethatthe
safetyofthepowertoolismaintained.
2.Neverservicedamagedbatterypacks.
Serviceofbatterypacksshouldonlybe
performedbythemanufacturerorauthorized
serviceproviders.
4
VII.Hedgetrimmersafetywarnings
1.Keepallpartsofthebodyawayfromthe
blade.Donotremovecutmaterialorhold
materialtobecutwhenbladesaremoving.
Bladescontinuetomoveaftertheswitchis
turnedoff.Amomentofinattentionwhile
operatingthehedgetrimmermayresultin
seriouspersonalinjury.
2.Carrythehedgetrimmerbythehandlewith
thebladestoppedandtakingcarenotto
operateanypowerswitch.Propercarrying
ofthehedgetrimmerwilldecreasetheriskof
inadvertentstartingandresultantpersonalinjury
fromtheblades.
3.Whentransportingorstoringthehedge
trimmer,alwaystthebladecover.Proper
handlingofthehedgetrimmerwilldecreasethe
riskofpersonalinjuryfromtheblades.
4.Whenclearingjammedmaterialorservicing
theunit,makesureallpowerswitches
areoffandthebatterypackisremovedor
disconnected.Unexpectedactuationofthe
hedgetrimmerwhileclearingjammedmaterial
orservicingmayresultinseriouspersonalinjury.
5.Holdthehedgetrimmerbyinsulatedgripping
surfacesonly,becausetheblademay
contacthiddenwiringoritsowncord.Blades
contactinga"live"wiremaymakeexposed
metalpartsofthehedgetrimmer"live"andcould
givetheoperatoranelectricshock.
6.Keepallpowercordsandcablesawayfrom
cuttingarea.Powercordsorcablesmay
behiddeninhedgesorbushesandcanbe
accidentallycutbytheblade.
7.Donotusethehedgetrimmerinbadweather
conditions,especiallywhenthereisarisk
oflightning.Thisdecreasestheriskofbeing
struckbylightning.
SAVETHESE
INSTRUCTIONS
5
SafetyandInstructionalDecals
Safetydecalsandinstructionsareeasilyvisibletotheoperatorandarelocatednearanyarea
ofpotentialdanger.Replaceanydecalthatisdamagedormissing.
decal144-3094
144-3094
1.Thebatterypackis
charging.
3.Thebatterypackisover
orundertheappropriate
temperaturerange.
2.Thebatterypackisfully
charged.
4.Batterypackchargingfault
decal144-3098
144-3098
decal144-3096
144-3096
6
decal140-8475
140-8475
1.ReadtheOperator’s
Manual.
3.Keepawayfromopenre
orames.
2.Call2Recycle®battery
recyclingprogram
4.Donotexposetorain.
decal144-3087
144-3087
1.Warning—readthe
Operator’sManual;wear
eyeprotection;donot
exposetorain.
2.Cutting/dismemberment
hazardofhand—stay
awayfrommovingparts;
keepallguardsand
shieldsinplace.
decal137-9461
137-9461
1.Batterychargestatus
7
Setup
Note:Thebatterypackisnotfullychargedwhenit
ispurchased.Beforeusingthemachinefortherst
time,refertoChargingtheBatteryPack(page11).
ProductOverview
g308470
Figure2
Leftsideofthemachineshown.
1.Blades6.Lockswitch
2.Guard
7.Trigger
3.Auxiliary-handleswitch8.Batterylatch
4.Auxiliaryhandle9.Batterypack
5.Handle-rotationbutton10.Protectivecover
g330065
Figure3
1.BatterychargerModel
88610(includedwith
Model51841)
2.BatterypackModel88620
(includedwithModel
51841)
8
Specications
Model51841
Cutting
Length
610mm(24inches)
Rated
Voltage
60VDCmaximum,54VDCnominalusage
No-load
Speed
3200spmat60VDCmax
Cutting
width
19mm(3/4inch)
Charger
Type
88602or88610(includedwith51841)
BatteryType
88620(includedwith51841),88625,88640,
88660,or88675
AppropriateTemperatureRanges
Charge/storethebatterypack
at
5°C(41°F)to40°C(104°F)*
Usethebatterypackat
-30°C(-22°F)to49°C(120°F)*
Usethemachineat
0°C(32°F)to49°C(120°F)*
*Chargingtimewillincreaseifyoudonotchargethe
batterypackwithinthisrange.
Storethemachine,batterypack,andbatterycharger
inanenclosedclean,dryarea.
Operation
StartingtheHedgeTrimmer
1.Removetheprotectivecoverfromtheblades
(Figure4).
WARNING
Thehedgetrimmerbladescancause
cutsoramputation.
Becarefulwhenhandlingthehedge
trimmerwiththeprotectivecover
removed.
g308414
Figure4
1.Protectivecover2.Blades
2.Makesurethattheventsonthehedgetrimmer
areclearofanydustanddebris.
3.Alignthecavityofthebatterypackwiththe
tongueinthehandlehousing,graspthehandle,
andpushthebatterypackintothehandleuntil
thelatchlocksintoplace(Figure5).
g308413
Figure5
1.Auxiliary-handleswitch4.Trigger
2.Auxiliaryhandle5.Batterylatch
3.Lockswitch6.Hedgetrimmerventing
areas
4.Place1handonthetriggerhandle.Placethe
otherhandontheauxiliaryhandle(Figure5).
9
5.Pressthelockswitchandthensqueeze
thetriggerswitchwhileengagingthe
auxiliary-handleswitchtoturnonthehedge
trimmer(Figure5).
Thetrimmerstaysonaslongasthe
auxiliary-handleswitchisengagedandthe
triggerissqueezed.Youmayreleasethe
lockswitchoncethehedgetrimmerisrunning
(Figure5).
RotatingtheHedgeTrimmer
Handle
1.Pressandholdtherotationallockbutton(Aof
Figure6).
2.Rotatethehandle90°totherightorleft
dependingondesiredcuttingdirection,then
releasetherotationallockbuttontolockthe
handleinthedesiredposition(BofFigure6).
g308389
Figure6
ShuttingOfftheHedge
Trimmer
Toshutoffthehedgetrimmer,releasethetrigger,
auxiliary-handleswitch,orboth(Figure5).Allowat
least5secondsforthecuttingbladetostopmoving.
Wheneveryouarenotusingthetrimmerorare
transportingthetrimmertoorfromtheworkarea,
removethebatterypack.
RemovingtheBatteryPack
Pressthebatterylatchonthetooltoreleasethe
batterypackandslidethebatterypackoutofthetool
(Figure7).
g308388
Figure7
1.Batterylatch
10
ChargingtheBatteryPack
Important:Thebatterypackisnotfullycharged
whenyoupurchaseit.Beforeusingthetoolfor
thersttime,placethebatterypackinthecharger
andchargeituntiltheLEDdisplayindicatesthe
batterypackisfullycharged.Readallsafety
precautions.
Important:Chargethebatterypackonlyin
temperaturesthatarewithintheappropriate
range;refertoSpecications(page9).
Note:Atanytime,pressthebattery-charge-indicator
buttononthebatterypacktodisplaythecurrent
charge(LEDindicators).
1.Ensurethattheventsonthebatteryandcharger
areclearofanydustanddebris.
g330066
Figure8
1.Batterypackcavity
5.LEDindicators(current
charge)
2.Batterypackventingareas6.Handle
3.Batterypackterminals
7.Charger
4.Battery-charge-indicator
button
2.Lineupthechargerwiththecavityontheback
ofthebatterypack(Figure8).
3.Slidethechargerintothebatterypackuntilitis
fullyseated(Figure8).
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(page13)formore
information.
Important:Thebatterycanbeleftonthecharger
forshortperiodsbetweenuses.
Ifthebatterywillnotbeusedforlongerperiods,
removethebatteryfromthecharger;referto
Storage(page12).
OperatingTips
•Usethepowertoolforcuttingineitherdirectionin
aslow,sweepingactionfromsidetoside.
•Whentrimmingnewgrowth,useawidesweeping
actionsothatthestemsarefeddirectlyintothe
cuttingblade.
•Useanon-poweredhandsaworpruningsawto
trimstemsthataretoolarge.
•Ifdesired,youcanuseastringtohelpcutyour
hedgelevel.Decidehowhighyouwantthehedge.
Stretchapieceofstringalongthehedgeatthe
desiredheight.Trimthehedgejustabovethe
guidelineofstring.
11
Maintenance
Removethebatterypackbeforemaintenanceor
cleaningwork.
Useonlythemanufacturer’srecommended
replacementpartsandaccessories.
Inspectandmaintaintheproductregularly.Have
theproductrepairedonlybyanAuthorizedService
Dealer.
PreparingtheBatteryPack
forRecycling
Important:Uponremoval,covertheterminalsof
thebatterypackwithheavy-dutyadhesivetape.
Donotattempttodestroyordisassemblethe
batterypackorremoveanyofitscomponents.
Lithium-ionbatterypackslabeledwiththe
Call2Recyclesealcanberecycledatany
participatingretailerorbatteryrecycling
facilityintheCall2Recycleprogram(US
andCanadaonly).T olocateaparticipating
retailerorfacilityclosesttoyou,pleasecall
1-800-822-8837orvisitwww.call2recycle.org.
Ifyoucannotlocateaparticipatingretaileror
facilitynearby,orifyourrechargeablebattery
isnotlabeledwiththeCall2Recycleseal,
pleasecontactyourlocalmunicipalityformore
informationonhowtoresponsiblyrecyclethe
battery.IfyouarelocatedoutsideoftheUS
andCanada,pleasecontactyourauthorized
Torodistributor.
Storage
Important:Storethetool,batterypack,and
chargeronlyintemperaturesthatarewithinthe
appropriaterange;refertoSpecications(page9).
Important:Ifyouarestoringthebatterypackfor
theoff-season,removethebatterypackfromthe
toolandchargethebatterypackuntil2or3LED
indicatorsturngreenonthebattery.Donotstore
afullychargedorfullydepletedbattery.Whenyou
arereadytousethetoolagain,chargethebattery
packuntiltheleftindicatorlightturnsgreenon
thechargerorall4LEDindicatorsturngreenon
thebattery.
•Disconnecttheproductfromthepowersupply
(i.e.,removetheplugfromthepowersupplyorthe
batterypack)andcheckfordamageafteruse.
•Cleanallforeignmaterialfromtheproduct.
•Donotstorethetoolwiththebatterypackinstalled.
•Whennotinuse,storethetool,batterypack,and
batterychargeroutofthereachofchildren.
•Keepthetool,batterypack,andbatterycharger
awayfromcorrosiveagents,suchasgarden
chemicalsandde-icingsalts.
•T oreducetheriskofseriouspersonalinjury,do
notstorethebatterypackoutsideorinvehicles.
•Storethetool,batterypack,andbatterycharger
inanenclosedclean,dryarea.
12
Troubleshooting
Performonlythestepsdescribedintheseinstructions.Allfurtherinspection,maintenance,andrepairwork
mustbeperformedbyanauthorizedservicecenterorasimilarlyqualiedspecialistifyoucannotsolvethe
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.
Thetoolisproducingexcessivevibration
ornoise.
1.Thebladesaredullordamaged.
1.ContactanAuthorizedServiceDealer.
1.Thebatterypackisoverorunderthe
appropriatetemperaturerange.
1.Movethebatterypacktoaplace
whereitisdryandthetemperatureis
between5°C(41°F)and40°C(104°F).
Thebatterypackloseschargequickly.
2.Themachineisoverloaded2.Trimataslowerpace.
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.Contactyourauthorizedservicedealer
ifthebatteryisinwarranty,orproperly
disposeofthebatterypackatabattery
recyclingfacility.
13
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
CaliforniagovernmenthasclariedthataProp65warning“isnotthesameasaregulatorydecisionthataproductis‘safe’or‘unsafe.’”Manyofthese
chemicalshavebeenusedineverydayproductsforyearswithoutdocumentedharm.Formoreinformation,gotohttps://oag.ca.gov/prop65/faqs-view-all
.
AProp65warningmeansthatacompanyhaseither(1)evaluatedtheexposureandhasconcludedthatitexceedsthe“nosignicantrisklevel”;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“nosignicantrisk”range,outofanabundanceofcaution,themanufacturerhaselectedtoprovidetheProp65
warnings.Moreover,ifthemanufacturerdoesnotprovidethesewarnings,itcouldbesuedbytheStateofCaliforniaorbyprivatepartiesseekingto
enforceProp65andsubjecttosubstantialpenalties.
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