Hop Industries, manufacturer of the durable Hop-Syn synthetic paper, has announced that its line of durable Hop-Syn synthetic paper meets the August 30, 2018 revision of California Proposition 65’s strict “safe harbor” standards for “No Significant Risk Levels” of toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and phthalates.

The Prop 65 compliance confirms that Hop-Syn synthetic papers can be safely used in a variety of packaging, labeling, and printing applications. Additionally, products that use Hop-Syn will not require a California warning label.

Hop-Syn’s compliance with Prop 65 also demonstrates Hop Industries’ ongoing commitment to sustainability in its manufacturing process and product offerings. The substrate is also compliant with CONEG, RoHS, and REACH environmental standards.

“Prop 65 is an important environmental standard that now has implications beyond the state of California. Throughout the nation, customers are requiring that their products meet these environmental standards as well,” comments Jack Smith, senior vice president, Hop Industries. “We’re proud that the Hop-Syn synthetic paper meets the strict standards of Prop 65.”

Hop-Syn synthetic paper is free of toxins, heavy metals and stearates, which are detrimental to the environment. The substrate can be recycled under category 5 (polypropylene) and reconstituted into a wide range of products like park benches, planters, horticultural edge trim, brooms, bike racks, basketball backboards and more.

Hop-Syn substrates exceed compliance requirements with four major global environmental standards:

• California’s Proposition 65 requires the state to maintain and update a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity, and products containing those chemicals must carry a warning label. Compliance means that products made with Hop-Syn substrates don’t require a warning.
• Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG) requires reductions in the amount of four heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium) in packaging and packaging components sold or distributed in the participating states.
• Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), the European Union’s directive restricts the use of heavy metals and hazardous chemicals used in the labeling and packaging of consumer products.
• Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), a European Union regulation that addresses the production and use of chemical substances and their potential impact on both human health and the environment.