Brimer v. JJI International, Inc.

On November 1, 2011, citizen enforcer Russell Brimer and settling defendant JJI International, Inc. ("JJI"), entered into an out-of-court Settlement Agreement, which resolved Brimer's allegations that JJI sold cases for mobile electronic devices and luggage tags containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate ("DEHP"); ceramic mugs with colored artwork or designs on the exterior containing the heavy metal lead, and picture frames manufactured with components containing lead; all in the State of California without providing the requisite health hazard warnings.

As part of the settlement, JJI agreed not to manufacture or purchase any ceramic mugs, cases for mobile electronic devices, or luggage tags in California after December 15, 2011, unless the ceramic mugs, cases for electronic devices, and luggage tags comply with reformulation standards or have Proposition 65 warnings provided.

The Settlement Agreement requires settlement payments of $40,000, divided therein between civil penalties, 75% of which are paid to California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, and compensation to whistleblower Brimer and his counsel for their successful enforcement of this matter in the public interest.