Leeman Settles with Dillard’s re: DEHP in Manicure Cases

Posted: 06/02/2016  browse the blog archive
Leeman Settles with Dillard’s re: DEHP in Manicure Cases

Dr. Whitney R. Leeman has negotiated a settlement with major upscale department store Dillard’s regarding alleged violations of Proposition 65.  Dr. Leeman alleged that Dillard’s violated Proposition 65 by selling manicure cases that contained the phthalate chemical DEHP without a Proposition 65 warning.  Proposition 65 requires companies offering products for sale that contain DEHP to provide a “clear and reasonable” warning to consumers that the product may expose them to risk of birth defects and reproductive harm.

In addition to paying civil penalties, Dillard’s has agreed to sell only manicure cases that have been reformulated to be virtually free of DEHP.  Should Dillard’s provide Dr. Leeman with certification by June 15, 2016 that all manicure cases sold in California are free of DEHP, Dr. Leeman has 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. Dillard’s, 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.