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

July 17, 2018
Lead
Out-of-Court Settlement
On July 17, 2018, citizen enforcer Anthony E. Held, Ph.D., P.E. and settling party Essendant Co. (“Essendant”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement. Held had alleged that Essendant sold battery clamp handles containing heavy metal lead in the State of California without providing the requisite health hazard warnings.    As part of the...
June 28, 2018
DEHP
Consent Judgment
he parties involved in the case Moore v. C.E. Smith Co., Inc. executed a Consent Judgment on June 28, 2018.  In this matter, citizen enforcer John Moore alleged that C.E. Smith Co., Inc. (“C.E. Smith”) sold vinyl/PVC trailer lift handles containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California...
June 13, 2018
DEHP
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the case Englander v. Pull'R Holding Company, LLC executed a Consent Judgment on June 13, 2018.  In this matter, citizen enforcer Peter Englander alleged that Pull'R Holding Company LLC (“Pull'R”) sold vinyl/PVC coated steel cables containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP...
February 23, 2018
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On February 23, 2018, citizen enforcer Peter Englander and settling party Novelty Inc. (“Novelty”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement. Englander had alleged that Novelty sold car chargers with vinyl/PVC components containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without providing the...
January 17, 2018
DEHP
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the case Englander v. Big Tex Trailer Manufacturing, Inc., et al. executed a Consent Judgment on January 17, 2018.  In this matter, citizen enforcer Peter Englander alleged that Big Tex Trailer Manufacturing, Inc. (“BTTM”) and Carry-On Trailer, Inc. (“COTT” and, collectively with BTTM, the “Settling Defendants...
November 27, 2017
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On November 27, 2017, citizen enforcer Peter Englander and settling party Team ProMark, LLC (“ProMark”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement. Englander had alleged that ProMark sold steering wheel covers containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without providing the requisite...
October 30, 2017
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On October 30, 2017, citizen enforcer Paul Wozniak and settling party Kalan LP (“Kalan”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement. Wozniak had alleged that Kalan sold vinyl/PVC suction cups containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without providing the requisite health hazard warnings...
June 29, 2017
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On June 29, 2017, citizen enforcer Paul Wozniak and settling party Tee-Zed Products, LLC (“Tee-Zed”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement.  Wozniak had alleged that Tee-Zed sold vinyl/PVC car shades containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without providing the requisite...