NOTICE OF VIOLATION
California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act
Hexavalent Chromium in Footwear Made With Leather Materials
October 17, 2019
This Notice of Violation (the “Notice”) is provided to you pursuant to and in compliance with California Health and Safety Code Section 25249.7(d).
For general information regarding the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, see the attached summary provided by the California EPA (copies not provided to public enforcement agencies).
This Notice is provided by the Center for Environmental Health (“CEH”), 2201 Broadway, Suite 508, Oakland, CA 94612, (510) 655-3900. CEH is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to protecting the environment, improving human health, and supporting environmentally sound practices. Caroline Cox is the Senior Scientist of and a responsible individual within CEH.
Description of Violation:
Violators: The names and addresses of the violators are identified on the attached Exhibit 1.
Time Period of Exposure: The violations have been occurring since at least October 18, 2016, and are ongoing.
Provision of Proposition 65: This Notice covers the “warning provision” of Proposition 65, which is found at California Health and Safety Code Section 25249.6.
Chemical(s) Involved: The name of the listed chemical involved in these violations is chromium (hexavalent compounds), which is also known as hexavalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium is listed under Proposition 65 as a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive toxicity. Exposures to hexavalent chromium occur from use of the products identified in this Notice.
Type of Product: The specific type of product causing these violations is footwear made with leather materials. Non-exclusive examples of this specific type of product are identified on the attached Exhibit 1.
Description of Exposure: This Notice addresses consumer exposures to hexavalent chromium. Use of the products identified in this Notice results in human exposures to hexavalent chromium. The routes of exposure for the violations are: (1) dermal absorption directly through the skin when consumers
wear, touch or handle the products or otherwise have direct skin to leather contact with the leather parts of the products; and (2) ingestion via hand to mouth contact after consumers wear, touch or handle the products. No clear and reasonable warning is provided with these products regarding the carcinogenic or reproductive hazards of hexavalent chromium.
Resolution of Noticed Claims:
Based on the allegations set forth in this Notice, CEH intends to file a citizen enforcement lawsuit against each alleged violator unless such violator agrees in a binding written instrument to: (1) recall products already sold; (2) provide clear and reasonable warnings for products sold in the future or reformulate such products to eliminate the hexavalent chromium exposures; and (3) pay an appropriate civil penalty based on the factors enumerated in California Health and Safety Code Section 25249.7(b). If any alleged violator is interested in resolving this dispute without resort to expensive and time-consuming litigation, please feel free to contact CEH through its counsel identified below. It should be noted that CEH cannot: (1) finalize any settlement until after the 60-day notice period has expired; nor (2) speak for the Attorney General or any District or City Attorney who received CEH’s 60-day Notice. Therefore, while reaching an agreement with CEH will resolve its claims, such agreement may not satisfy the public prosecutors.
Preservation of Relevant Evidence:
This Notice also serves as a demand that each alleged violator preserve and maintain all relevant evidence, including all electronic documents and data, pending resolution of this matter. Such relevant evidence includes but is not limited to all documents relating to the presence or potential presence of hexavalent chromium in footwear; purchase and sales information for such products; efforts to comply with Proposition 65 with respect to such products; communications with any person relating to the presence or potential presence of hexavalent chromium in such products; and representative exemplars of each unit of any such products sold by each alleged violator in the year preceding this Notice through the date of any trial of the claims alleged in this Notice.
Please direct any inquiries regarding this Notice to CEH’s counsel Eric S. Somers at Lexington Law Group, 503 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94117, (415) 913-7800, [email protected]
EXHIBIT 1 October 17, 2019 Notice of Violation Hexavalent Chromium in Footwear Made With Leather Materials
Non-Exclusive Names and Addresses Style, SKU, UPC or Examples of Responsible Parties Further Description of the Products
The Collected Group Company, LLC 5301 South Santa Fe Avenue UPC No. 8-08895-03193-8 Vernon, CA 90058 Joie Olya Mule Style No. in Tan 19-1-001860-SO00850 RBR, LLC 5301 South Santa Fe Avenue Vernon, CA 90058
Mephisto, Inc. 305 Seaboard Lane Suite 328 Franklin, TN 37067
Mephisto Concept Stores, Inc. 305 Seaboard Lane Mephisto Tarek Suite 328 UPC No. 1-91993-23785-3 in Hazelnut Franklin, TN 37067
Mephisto S.A.S. Rue de Sarreguemines Zone Industrielle 57400 Sarrebourg, France
Nisolo, LLC Nisolo Ama Mule 1803 9th Ave N, UPC No. 818935028699 in Woven Brown Nashville, TN 37208 SKU No. WF-0028-BRO-095
OluKai, LLC OluKai Kulana UPC No. 8-83956-30891-4 10 Faraday Drive Men’s Slip On Shoes Style No. 10380-FX63 Irvine, CA 92618 in Fox/Dk Wood
EXHIBIT 1 October 17, 2019 Notice of Violation Hexavalent Chromium in Footwear Made With Leather Materials
Non-Exclusive Names and Addresses Style, SKU, UPC or Examples of Responsible Parties Further Description of the Products
Rainbow Sandals, Inc. 900 Calle Negocio San Clemente, CA 92673 UPC No. 843916048441 6 Layer Rainbow Wedge SKU No. Premier in Dark Brown Rainbow Sandals Retail, 1006LTS0-DKBR-LL00 Leather 1’’ Leather Strap Inc. 900 Calle Negocio San Clemente, CA 92673
Hush Puppies Retail, Inc. Hush Puppies Men’s GT UPC No. 0-98681-48298-7 9341 Courtland in Red Brown Leather Style No. H12466 Drive, N.E. Rockford, MI 49531
Deckers Outdoor Corporation 250 Coromar Drive Goleta, CA 93117
Deckers Retail, LLC 250 Coromar Drive Goleta, CA 93117 Teva Women’s Midform Universal Geometric UPC No. 1-91142-25813-5 Deckers Sales Co., LLC Sandals in Tropical Style No. 1090873/TPCH 250 Coromar Drive Peach Goleta, CA 93117
Deckers Consumer Direct Corporation 250 Coromar Drive Goleta, CA 93117
EXHIBIT 1 October 17, 2019 Notice of Violation Hexavalent Chromium in Footwear Made With Leather Materials
Non-Exclusive Names and Addresses Style, SKU, UPC or Examples of Responsible Parties Further Description of the Products
The Rockport Company, LLC 1220 Washington Street
Newton, MA 02465 Rockport Men’s Perth UPC No. 1-91596-49332-8 Boat Shoe The Rockport Company Style No. CH1236 In Taupe (CA), LLC Nubuck/Beeswax Leather 1220 Washington Street Newton, MA 02465
Magnanni, Inc. Saks Fifth Avenue 9065 Smith’s Mill COLLECTION by UPC No. 6-75290-84658-6 Road North Magnanni Men’s Braided Style No. 400099259396 New Albany, OH 43054 Loop Cross Strap Leather Boat shoes in Cognac
J Crew Group, Inc. 225 Liberty Street New York, NY 10281
Grace Holmes, Inc. J. Crew Pointed Toe 225 Liberty Street, 17th Floor Slides in Leather Style No. AB095 New York, New York 10281 Burnished Brown
J Crew Inc. 225 Liberty Street New York, NY 10281
Kate Spade LLC 2 Park Avenue New York, NY 10016 Kate Spade Ryan Mules UPC No. 6-40819-59989-2 Kate Spade & in Cashmere Style No. S5100004 Company LLC 2 Park Avenue New York, NY 10016
EXHIBIT 1 October 17, 2019 Notice of Violation Hexavalent Chromium in Footwear Made With Leather Materials
Non-Exclusive Names and Addresses Style, SKU, UPC or Examples of Responsible Parties Further Description of the Products
Cole Haan LLC UPC No. 1-92004-40781-4 Cole Haan Hadley Mule 150 Ocean Road Style No. W14818 in Black Suede Greenland, NH 03840 SKU No. 4500396596
Allsaints USA Limited 750 N. San Vicente Blvd., Suite 1050 UPC No. 0-889059-895856 West Hollywood, CA 90069 Allsaints Ayita Mule Style No. WF016Q in Black Item No. 195844 All Saints Retail Limited
Jack’s Place Units C15-C17 6 Corbet Place London, United Kingdom E1 6NN
Jeffrey Campbell LLC Jeffrey Campbell Furor 10338 Northvale Road UPC No. 1-931-24225-5 Mule in Blue Croco Los Angeles, CA 90064
Eastland Shoe Corp. Eastland Men’s Seaquest UPC No. 0-94352-41965-8 4 Meetinghouse Road Boat Shoe in Tan Item No. 7206-14D080 Freeport, ME 04032
SERVICE LIST
District Attorney of Alpine County District Attorney of Lake County P.O. Box 248 255 N. Forbes Street Markleeville, CA 96120 Lakeport, CA 95453
District Attorney of Amador County District Attorney of Los Angeles County 708 Court Street, Ste. 202 Hall of Justice Jackson, CA 95642 211 W. Temple Street, Ste. 1200 Los Angeles, CA 90012-3210 District Attorney of Butte County Administration Building District Attorney of Madera County 25 County Center Drive 209 West Yosemite Avenue Oroville, CA 95965 Madera, CA 93637
District Attorney of Colusa County District Attorney of Marin County 346 Fifth Street, Suite 101 3501 Civic Center Drive, Rm. 130 Colusa, CA 95932 San Rafael, CA 94903
District Attorney of Del Norte County District Attorney of Mariposa County 450 H Street, Ste. 171 P.O. Box 730 Crescent City, CA 95531 Mariposa, CA 95338
District Attorney of El Dorado County District Attorney of Mendocino County 778 Pacific Street P.O. Box 1000 Placerville, CA 95667 Ukiah, CA 95482
District Attorney of Fresno County District Attorney of Merced County 2220 Tulare Street, Ste. 1000 2222 "M" Street Fresno, CA 93721 Merced, CA 95340
District Attorney of Glenn County District Attorney of Modoc County P.O. Box 430 204 S. Court Street, Rm. 202 Willows, CA 95988 Alturas, CA 96101-4020
District Attorney of Humboldt County District Attorney of Mono County 825 5th Street P.O. Box 617 Eureka, CA 95501 Bridgeport, CA 93546
District Attorney of Imperial County District Attorney of Nevada County 939 Main Street, Ste. 102 201 Commercial Street El Centro, CA 92243 Nevada City, CA 95959
District Attorney of Inyo County District Attorney of Orange County P.O. Drawer D 401 Civic Center Drive West Independence, CA 93526 Santa Ana, CA 92701
District Attorney of Kern County District Attorney of Placer County 1215 Truxtun Avenue 10810 Justice Center Drive, Ste. 240 Bakersfield, CA 93301 Roseville CA 95678-6231
District Attorney of Plumas County District Attorney of Kings County 520 Main Street, Rm. 404 1400 West Lacey Blvd. Quincy, CA 95971 Hanford, CA 93230 District Attorney of San Benito County District Attorney of Yuba County 419 Fourth Street, 2nd Fl. 215 Fifth Street Hollister, CA 95023 Marysville, CA 95901
District Attorney of San Bernardino County Los Angeles City Attorney's Office 316 N. Mountain View Avenue City Hall East San Bernardino, CA 92415 200 N. Main Street, Rm. 800 Los Angeles, CA 90012 District Attorney of San Diego County 330 West Broadway, Ste. 1300 San Jose City Attorney's Office San Diego, CA 92101 200 East Santa Clara Street San Jose, CA 95113 District Attorney of San Mateo County 400 County Center, 3rd Fl. California Attorney General's Office Redwood City, CA 94063 Attention: Proposition 65 Coordinator and Robert Thomas District Attorney of Shasta County 1515 Clay Street, Ste. 2000 1355 West Street P.O. Box 70550 Redding, CA 96001 Oakland, CA 94612-0550
District Attorney of Sierra County James Miller, CEO* Courthouse The Collected Group Company, LLC 100 Courthouse Sq., 2nd Fl. 5301 South Santa Downieville, CA 95936 Fe Avenue Vernon, CA 90058 District Attorney of Siskiyou County P.O. Box 986 James Miller, CEO* Yreka, CA 96097 RBR, LLC 5301 South Santa District Attorney of Solano County Fe Avenue 675 Texas Street, Ste. 4500 Vernon, CA 90058 Fairfield, CA 94533
James Rowley, CEO* District Attorney of Stanislaus County 832 12th Street, Ste. 300 Mephisto, Inc. Modesto, CA 95354 305 Seaboard Lane Suite 328 District Attorney of Sutter County Franklin, TN 37067 446 Second Street Yuba City, CA 95991 James Rowley, CEO* Mephisto Concept Stores, Inc. District Attorney of Tehama County 305 Seaboard Lane P.O. Box 519 Suite 328 Red Bluff, CA 96080 Franklin, TN 37067
District Attorney of Trinity County Martin Michaeli, CEO* P.O. Box 310 Mephisto S.A.S. 11 Court Street Rue De Sarreguemines Weaverville, CA 96093 Zone Industrielle 57400 Sarrebourg, France District Attorney of Tuolumne County 423 N. Washington Street Patrick Woodyard, CEO* Sonora, CA 95370 Nisolo, LLC 1803 9th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
Erik Nordstrom, CEO
Paul J. Roehrenbeck, CFO* James L. Harris, CEO* Magnanni, Inc. OluKai, LLC 9065 Smith’s Mill Road North 10 Faraday Drive New Albany, OH 43054 Irvine, CA 92618 Michael J. Nicholson, CEO* Jay R. Longley, CEO* J Crew Group, Inc. Rainbow Sandals, Inc. 225 Liberty Street 900 Calle Negocio New York, NY 10281 San Clemente CA 92673 Vincent Zanna, CFO* Jay R. Longley, CEO* Grace Holmes, Inc. Rainbow Sandals Retail, Inc. 225 Liberty Street, 17th Floor 900 Calle Negocio New York, New York 10281 San Clemente CA 92673 Michael J. Nicholson, CEO* Greg Tunney, President* J Crew Inc. Hush Puppies Retail, Inc. 225 Liberty Street 9341 Courtland Drive, N.E. New York, NY 10281 Rockford, MI 49531 Anna Bakst, CEO* David Powers, CEO* Kate Spade, LLC Deckers Outdoor Corporation 2 Park Avenue 250 Coromar Drive New York, NY 10016 Goleta, CA 93117 Anna Bakst, CEO* David Powers, CEO* Kate Spade & Company LLC Deckers Retail, LLC 2 Park Avenue 250 Coromar Drive New York, NY 10016 Goleta, CA 93117 Jack Boys, CEO* David Powers, CEO* Cole Haan LLC Deckers Sales Co., LLC 150 Ocean Road 250 Coromar Drive Greenland, NH 03840 Goleta, CA 93117 Peter Wood, CEO* Steve Fasching, CFO* Allsaints USA Limited Deckers Consumer Direct Corporation 750 N. San Vicente Blvd., Suite 1050 250 Coromar Drive West Hollywood, CA 90069 Goleta, CA 93117 Peter Wood, CEO* Gregg Ribatt, CEO* All Saints Retail Limited The Rockport Company, LLC Jack’s Place Units C15-C17 1220 Washington Street 6 Corbet Place Newton, MA 02465 London, United Kingdom E1 6NN
Michael Smith, Manager* Jeffrey S. Campbell, CEO* The Rockport Company (CA), LLC Jeffrey Campbell LLC 1220 Washington Street 10338 Northvale Road Newton, MA 02465 Los Angeles, CA 90064
James Klein, President* Eastland Shoe Corp. 4 Meetinghouse Road Freeport, ME 04032
James Klein, President* Eastland Shoe Corp. 100 Middle Street Portland, ME 04101