Leeman and Annie International Settle Re: DEHP in Hair Brushes

Dr. Whitney R. Leeman has negotiated a successful settlement with Annie International in regards to alleged violations of Proposition 65.  Leeman had alleged that Annie sold hair brushes with vinyl/PVC grips that contained the phthalate chemical DEHP without the requisite health hazard warning.  Proposition 65 requires companies offering products for sale in California that contain DEHP to provide consumers with a “clear and reasonable” warning of the risk of exposure.

In addition to paying civil penalties, Annie has agreed to sell only hair brushes that have been reformulated to be virtually free of DEHP, or else provide consumers with a Proposition 65 warning.  Should Annie provide Leeman with certification by September 30, 2015 that all its hair brushes sold in California meet the reformulation requirements, Leeman has agreed to waive part of the civil penalty.

For more details, please see the case summary on our website: Leeman v. Annie International, 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