california prop 65

Dr. Whitney Leeman has negotiated a successful settlement with PlanAhead regarding alleged violations of Proposition 65.  Leeman alleged that PlanAhead sold organizers with vinyl/PVC covers that contained the phthalate chemical DEHP without the requisite health hazard warning.  DEHP is known to the State of California to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm, and companies offering products for sale that contain DEHP must include a Proposition 65 warning.

In addition to paying civil penalties, PlanAhead agreed to sell only organizers with covers that are not only free of DEHP, but also the phthalate chemicals DBP and BBP, which are also chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and/or other reproductive harm.  Should PlanAhead provide certification to Leeman that all its organizers meet these reformulation standards, Leeman agreed to waive a portion of the civil fine.

For more details and to read the settlement itself, please see the case summary on our website: Leeman v. PlanAhead, LLC

The Chanler Group represents citizen enforcers who, acting in the public interest, commence actions against businesses offering products for sale in California that contain chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm without first providing the health hazard warning required by Proposition 65. Citizen enforcers bringing Proposition 65 actions in the public interest may obtain a Court Judgment imposing civil penalties, an injunction requiring reformulation of products, and/or provision of health hazard warnings. The Chanler Group has represented citizen enforcers of Proposition 65 for more than twenty years.

Paul Wozniak has filed a complaint in Alameda County Superior Court alleging that Certified International Corp. violated Proposition 65.  Wozniak alleges that Certified International sold mugs in California that contained the heavy metal lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and/or other reproductive harm.  Under Proposition 65 law, companies offering products in California that contain lead must provide consumers with a “clear and reasonable” warning of the risk of exposure.  Wozniak alleges that Certified International Corp. provided no such warning.

In addition to civil penalties, Wozniak seeks an injunction to prohibit Certified International from selling mugs in California unless they are accompanied by a health hazard warning.

The Chanler Group represents citizen enforcers who, acting in the public interest, commence actions against businesses offering products for sale in California that contain chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm without first providing the health hazard warning required by Proposition 65. Citizen enforcers bringing Proposition 65 actions in the public interest may obtain a Court Judgment imposing civil penalties, an injunction requiring reformulation of products, and/or provision of health hazard warnings. The Chanler Group has represented citizen enforcers of Proposition 65 for more than twenty years.

Paul Wozniak has filed a complaint in Marin County Court against Nordstrom alleging violations of Proposition 65.  Wozniak alleges that Nordstrom sold drinking glasses with exterior designs that contain the heavy metal lead.  Lead is known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and/or other reproductive harm, and Proposition 65 requires companies offering products for sale that contain lead to provide consumers with a health hazard warning.

In addition to civil penalties, Wozniak seeks an injunction to prohibit Nordstrom from manufacturing, distributing, or offering the products for sale or use in California without first providing a “clear and reasonable” warning of the risk of exposure to lead.

Nordstrom, an upscale department store, is a publicly traded company with almost 300 stores nationwide.

The Chanler Group represents citizen enforcers who, acting in the public interest, commence actions against businesses offering products for sale in California that contain chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm without first providing the health hazard warning required by Proposition 65. Citizen enforcers bringing Proposition 65 actions in the public interest may obtain a Court Judgment imposing civil penalties, an injunction requiring reformulation of products, and/or provision of health hazard warnings. The Chanler Group has represented citizen enforcers of Proposition 65 for more than twenty years.

Paul Wozniak has successfully negotiated a settlement with major toy retailer Toys “R” Us in regards to alleged violations of Proposition 65.  Wozniak alleged that Toys “R” Us offered for sale headphones with vinyl/PVC ear cushions that contained the phthalate chemical, DEHP, known to the State of California to cause birth defects and/or other reproductive harm.  Under Proposition 65 law, companies offering products for sale in California that contain DEHP must provide consumers with a “clear and reasonable” warning of the risks of exposure, which Wozniak alleged Toys “R” Us did not provide.

In addition to paying civil penalties, Toys “R” Us has agreed to sell only reformulated headphones that are virtually free of DEHP.  Should Toys “R” Us accelerate this reformulation and provide written certification to Wozniak that all headphones sold in California qualify as reformulated by June 30, 2015, Wozniak has agreed to waive a significant portion of the civil penalties.

You can read the settlement itself on the case summary page on our website: Wozniak v. Toys “R” Us

 The Chanler Group represents citizen enforcers who, acting in the public interest, commence actions against businesses offering products for sale in California that contain chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm without first providing the health hazard warning required by Proposition 65. Citizen enforcers bringing Proposition 65 actions in the public interest may obtain a Court Judgment imposing civil penalties, an injunction requiring reformulation of products, and/or provision of health hazard warnings. The Chanler Group has represented citizen enforcers of Proposition 65 for more than twenty years.

Vinocur has successfully negotiated a settlement with Ross Acquisition regarding alleged Proposition 65 violations.  Earlier this year, Vinocur filed a complaint against Ross alleging that Ross sold mugs with exterior decorations containing the heavy metal lead, without the requisite health hazard warning.  Lead is a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and reproductive harm.

In addition to paying $100,000 in civil penalties, Ross has agreed to reformulate its products to be virtually free of lead.  For more details, please see the settlement and case summary on our website: Vinocur v. Ross Acquisition Co.

The Chanler Group represents citizen enforcers who, acting in the public interest, commence actions against businesses offering products for sale in California that contain chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm without first providing the health hazard warning required by Proposition 65. Citizen enforcers bringing Proposition 65 actions in the public interest may obtain a Court Judgment imposing civil penalties, an injunction requiring reformulation of products, and/or provision of health hazard warnings. The Chanler Group has represented citizen enforcers of Proposition 65 for more than twenty years.