Coral reefs are very diverse ecosystems, says the complaint for this class action: “Over half a billion people depend on reefs for food, incomes, and protection.” Consumers are alert to the fact that coral reefs are disappearing, and some prefer to use sunscreen products that will not add to the damage. But the complaint alleges that certain sunscreens, made by Bondi Sands (USA), Inc., are marked as being “Reef Friendly” but actually contain ingredients that can harm coral reefs.
The Nationwide Class for this action is all residents of the US who, within the applicable statute of limitations, bought the products for purposes other than resale. A California Subclass has also been defined for those in this group who are residents of California. The products at issue include the following:
Bondi Sands Fragrance Free Sunscreen, including
- Lotion in SPF 30, 5.07 oz
- Lotion in SPF 50, 5.07 oz
- Lotion (Face) in SPF 50, 2.52 oz
- Spray in SPF 30, 5.64 oz
- Spray in SPF 50, 5.64 oz
Bondi Sands Hydra Sunscreen including
- Lotion in SPF 50+, 5.07 oz
- Lotion (Face) in SPF 50+, 1.69-oz
- Spray in SPF 50+, 5.07 oz
Drawing on an article on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the complaint claims that “reef ecosystems are culturally important to people around the world. Indeed, the world’s largest reef, the Australian Great Barrier Reef, is considered to be one of the great seven natural wonders of the world due to its scale, beauty, and biodiversity.” However, it says, reefs “are disappearing at alarming rates.”
The Bondi Sands products appear to offer consumers products that will not further harm reefs. The complaint displays images of the product bottles and tubes, all of which show the words “Reef Friendly” on their front labels. However, the complaint alleges that the products in fact contain ingredients that can harm or kill reefs or the marine life living in them, including avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, or octocrylene.
The complaint reviews information on these substances from the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory, the National Ocean Service, the Hawaii Center for Biological Diversity, and other groups that have researched these substances. It notes that the Hawaii Legislature has banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, and octocrylene. Similar bans on some of these chemicals are either in effect or being considered in other countries.
The complaint alleges that “manufacturers, such as [Bondi Sands], ‘greenwash’ their products by labeling them with environmentally and eco-friendly claims … to charge consumers with a premium for reef-safe products, gain an unfair advantage over their competitors, and defraud consumers…”
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Consumer
Most Recent Case Event
Bondi Sands “Reef Friendly” Sunscreen Products Complaint
October 11, 2021
Coral reefs are very diverse ecosystems, says the complaint for this class action: “Over half a billion people depend on reefs for food, incomes, and protection.” Consumers are alert to the fact that coral reefs are disappearing, and some prefer to use sunscreen products that will not add to the damage. But the complaint alleges that certain sunscreens, made by Bondi Sands (USA), Inc., are marked as being “Reef Friendly” but actually contain ingredients that can harm coral reefs.
Bondi Sands “Reef Friendly” Sunscreen Products ComplaintCase Event History
Bondi Sands “Reef Friendly” Sunscreen Products Complaint
October 11, 2021
Coral reefs are very diverse ecosystems, says the complaint for this class action: “Over half a billion people depend on reefs for food, incomes, and protection.” Consumers are alert to the fact that coral reefs are disappearing, and some prefer to use sunscreen products that will not add to the damage. But the complaint alleges that certain sunscreens, made by Bondi Sands (USA), Inc., are marked as being “Reef Friendly” but actually contain ingredients that can harm coral reefs.
Bondi Sands “Reef Friendly” Sunscreen Products Complaint