Due to the efforts of TCG client Anthony Held, Ph.D, P.E., Reebok has agreed to reformulate its softballs to virtually eliminate di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), a known carcinogen and reproductive toxicant. Held alleged that Reebok violated Proposition 65 by selling softballs containing DEHP in California without providing a health hazard warning. Under Proposition 65, companies offering products for sale in California that contain chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm must provide a health hazard warning
The settlement agreement requires civil penalties of $15,000, 75 percent of which are paid to California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, to be used to enhance public health and the environment, and the remaining 25 percent will be paid to Dr. Held. As part of the agreement, Reebok agreed to virtually eliminate DEHP from its softballs. Should Reebok provide written certification that it has completed reformulation, Dr. Held will waive $12,000 of the penalty that Reebok would otherwise be required to pay. For more information about the agreement, the case summary is available on the firm’s website.
Reebok, with annual sales of its products in the billions, offers a variety of sports shoes, apparel, equipment, and accessories. Reebok products are sold in stores throughout United States and all over the world.
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.
