On March 27, 2015, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (“OEHHA”) added beta-myrcene (CAS No. 123-35-3) as a chemical known to cause cancer under Proposition 65. This means that enforcement actions may commence starting March 27, 2016. Beta-myrcene is a natural constituent of food plants, such as hop, bay, verbena, lemongrass, citrus, pomegranate, and carrot, and of their juices and essential oils. Beta-myrcene is used as a fragrance in cosmetics and soaps, many of which are positioned as “natural” products. Other ingredients that are popularly used in “natural” beauty products are joining the list – check back for our additional blog posts on those in the near future.
In addition to such ingredients, businesses should be careful not to overlook diethanolamine (DEA), coconut oil diethanolamine (cocamide DEA) and benozphenone – three chemicals that became subject to enforcement action in June 2013 and which remain a favorite of Prop 65 plaintiffs. Thousands of companies, with particular focus on beauty industry manufacturers, distributors and retailers have been hit with Notices of Violation over these chemicals.
Beauty companies should review their current formulations to determine whether any of their products contain an ingredient that is or may be on the Proposition 65 list, or whether any of their products contain an ingredient that may cause an exposure to a Proposition 65 chemical. Companies should work closely with their manufacturer or supplier, and have strong contracts to insulate them from Proposition 65 liabilities. Companies should also consider being pro-active by reformulating chemicals out of their products early on, if possible. If a Notice of Violation is received, contact counsel with experience in successfully resolving Prop 65 claims.
JUL