California Proposition 65

Dr. Whitney Leeman has reached a settlement with Gekkeikan regarding the sale of sake glasses and glass decanters with exterior decorations that allegedly contained the heavy metal lead, without the requisite Proposition 65 warning.  Proposition 65 prohibits companies from offering products for sale that contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and/or reproductive harm, such as lead, without providing consumers with a health hazard warning.

In addition to paying civil penalties, Gekkeikan has agreed not to sell any sake glasses or glass decanters with exterior decorations unless they are virtually free of lead.

For more information, see the case summary on our website: Leeman v. Gekkeikan Sake (U.S.A.), Inc.

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.

Rite Aid Corporation has certified to Russell Brimer and The Chanler Group that Rite Aid now sells only water sprayers with metal nozzles that are virtually lead-free.  As per the settlement agreement, Brimer has agreed to waive the final civil penalty.

Earlier this year, Brimer filed a complaint against Rite Aid alleging that it had violated California consumers’ right to know of the risks associated with being exposed to lead.  You can read more details of the settlement on our website at Brimer v. Rite Aid Corporation.

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.

Our client Dr. Anthony Held has filed a complaint versus Best Buy Co., Inc. alleging that the company failed to warn California citizens about the risks of exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) present in and on vinyl/PVC ID cards and charms.  DEHP is a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects and/or other reproductive harm, and under Proposition 65 law, companies offering products for sale that contain DEHP must provide consumers with a health hazard warning.

In addition to civil penalties, Dr. Held seeks an injunction to prevent Best Buy from manufacturing, distributing, or offering vinyl/PVC ID cards and charms for sale or use in California without a Proposition 65 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.