Automotive Products

Automotive Products

The Chanler Group's clients have initiated many Proposition 65 enforcement actions against companies that sell a variety of automotive products, including automotive tools, chemicals, electrical components, and accessories that contain detectable levels of phthalates and the heavy metal lead.  These substances are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and reproductive harm.

As a neurotoxin, lead negatively affects the nervous system, especially children’s brains. Research has shown that repeated exposure to lead cumulatively affects the developing nervous system and, over time, can lead to attention deficit, learning disabilities, short-term memory loss, behavioral problems, and diminished intellectual ability.

Phthalates are "plasticizers," substances added to plastic components and materials in consumer products to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity.  The Chanler Group's clients regularly investigate the presence of phthalate chemicals such as di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate ("DEHP"),  butyl benzyl phthalate ("BBP"), and Di-n-butyl phthalate ("DBP") which are often found in consumer products.

The Chanler Group, on behalf of its clients, has secured settlements from many automotive companies in which the companies have agreed to reformulate their products to either virtually eliminate the presence of phthalates and lead or provide Proposition 65 health hazard warnings. The Chanler Group and its clients continue to closely monitor this industry in order to protect consumers from exposure to chemicals such as phthalates and lead. 

To review legal agreements whichThe Chanler Group's clients have reached with companies that sell automotive products, please see the cases below.

firm casework - enforcement

April 4, 2019
DEHP
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the case Vinocur v. Buyers Products Company executed a Consent Judgment on April 4, 2019.  In this matter, citizen enforcer Laurence Vinocur alleged that Buyers Products Company (“Buyers Products”) sold vinyl/PVC ratchet tie-downs with grips of varying sizes and construction containing the phthalate chemical di(2-...
March 19, 2019
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On March 19, 2019, citizen enforcer Peter Englander and settling party Southern Marketing Affiliates, Inc. (“SMA”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement. Englander had alleged that SMA sold fuel pump nozzles with vinyl covers containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without...
January 15, 2019
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On January 15, 2019, citizen enforcer Laurence Vinocur and settling party Premier Accessory Group LLC (“Premier Accessory”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement. Vinocur had alleged that Premier Accessory sold vinyl battery clip grips containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California...
January 10, 2019
DEHP
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the case Held v. RV Designer, et al. executed a Consent Judgment on January 10, 2019.  In this matter, citizen enforcer Anthony E. Held, Ph.D., P.E. alleged that RV Designer and Woodbridge, Inc. (collectively, “RV Designer”) sold vinyl/PVC seat covers containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate ("DEHP...
December 20, 2018
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On December 20, 2018, citizen enforcer Laurence Vinocur and settling parties Valvoline Inc. and Valvoline LLC (collectively, “Valvoline”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement. Vinocur had alleged that Valvoline sold vinyl tubing containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without...
August 28, 2018
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On August 28, 2018, citizen enforcer John Moore and settling party HII Corporation (“HII”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement. Moore had alleged that HII sold vinyl/PVC flagging tape containing the phthalate di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate ("DEHP") in the State of California without providing the requisite health hazard warnings. ...
August 14, 2018
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On August 14, 2018, citizen enforcer Laurence Vinocur and settling party WirthCo Engineering, Inc. (“WirthCo”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement. Vinocur had alleged that WirthCo sold string vinyl/PVC battery clamp cables containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without...
August 2, 2018
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On August 2, 2018, citizen enforcer John Moore and settling party CRC Industries, Inc. (“CRC”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement. Moore had alleged that CRC sold vinyl/PVC-based products containing the phthalate di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate ("DEHP") in the State of California without providing the requisite health hazard warnings....