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

September 29, 2015
DEHP
Consent Judgment
On September 29, 2015, the parties involved in the case Brimer v. SMP Safety Corporation executed a Consent Judgment.  In this matter, citizen enforcer Russell Brimer alleged that Standard Motor Products (“SMP”) sold booster cable clamps with vinyl/PVC grips containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of...
September 3, 2015
DEHP
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the case Held v. Old World Industries, LLC executed a Consent Judgment on September 3, 2015.  In this matter, citizen enforcer Anthony E. Held, Ph.D., P.E. alleged that Old World Industries, LLC (“Old World”) sold vinyl/PVC battery clamp cables containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the...
July 28, 2015
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On July 28, Whitney R. Leeman, Ph.D and settling party Champion Power Equipment, Inc. (“Champion”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement.  Leeman had alleged that Champion sold vinyl/PVC automotive booster cables and generator covers containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California...
June 16, 2015
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
Citizen enforcer Russell Brimer and settling party KC HiLiTES, Inc. (“KCH”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement on June 16, 2015.  Brimer had alleged that KCH sold vinyl/PVC light covers containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without providing the requisite health hazard...
June 10, 2015
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On June 10, 2015, Whitney R. Leeman, Ph.D and settling party C.R. Laurence Co., Inc. (“C.R. Laurence”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement on June 10, 2015.  Leeman had alleged that C.R. Laurence sold vinyl/PVC battery booster cables containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California...
December 17, 2014
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
Whistleblower Paul Wozniak and settling party NMTC, Inc. (“NMTC”) entered into an out-of-court Settlement Agreement on December 17, 2014, which resolved Wozniak’s allegations that NMTC sold vinyl/PVC automobile seat covers containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without providing the...
September 5, 2014
Lead
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the enforcement action Held v. Remington Industries, Inc., et al. executed an agreement on September 5, 2014.  In this matter, citizen enforcer Anthony E. Held, Ph.D., P.E., alleged that the defendant Remington Industries, Inc. (“Remington”) sold automobile seat organizers containing the heavy metal lead in the State of...
July 30, 2014
DEHP, Lead
Out-of-Court Settlement Agreement
On July 30, 2014, the parties executed an out-of-court Settlement Agreement, which resolved the allegations that whistleblower Whitney R. Leeman, Ph.D., made against settling party Budge Industries LLC (“Budge”).  In this matter, Leeman alleged that Budge sold vinyl/PVC coated car cover cables containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (...