As You Sow is one of the leading enforcers of California's innovative Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, also known as Proposition 65 . This consumer right-to-know law was enacted by a ballot initiative in 1986 when California voters approved it by a 2-1 margin. The initiative specifies that when a company, through its products or processes, exposes citizens to known carcinogens or reproductive toxins, it must provide warnings to consumers. It prohibits discharges of such chemicals into the state's drinking water, and mandates civil penalties for violations of the law.

Since 1992, As You Sow has been working to bring hundreds of manufacturers and whole industries into compliance with Proposition 65. Significant victories include commitments by manufacturers to go beyond Proposition 65 requirements and reformulate nail polish, consumer spray paints, glues, and automotive products to remove toluene, lead, cadmium, volatile organic compounds and other heavy metals.

As You Sow encourages innovative settlements that reduce hazardous emissions, eliminate consumer exposures to toxics, and provide funds for employee training to lower worker exposure to toxic chemicals. Where settlements have included restitutionary funds to compensate for an unjust benefit incurred by the violator, As You Sow distributes a portion of such monies to community groups working on toxics and environmental education through our grant-making program .