“Protecting the environment is a top priority of our office, but equally important is the protection of consumer privacy rights"

FAIRFIELD, CA (MPG) - Beauty Solano County District Attorney Krishna A. Abrams announced that the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, together with 33 other California District Attorneys and City Attorneys, have reached a settlement in People v. Ulta for violations of hazardous waste regulations with Ulta Beauty, Inc., Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc., Ulta, Inc., and Possibilities AB, Inc., (collectively referred to as “Ulta”). The settlement includes $752,000 in civil penalties, supplemental environmental projects, and costs. Ulta has 161 facilities in California, of which, 3 stores are in Solano County.

The settlement follows an investigation by prosecutors of Ulta stores located within California for improper storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous and other regulated waste, as well as inadequate employee training. Additionally, Ulta failed to take sufficient steps to preserve the confidentiality of their customers’ information by unlawfully disposing of customer records without having rendered personal information unreadable.

The settlement includes a Final Judgment and Permanent Injunction, wherein Ulta must pay $439,500 in civil penalties, $250,000 in plaintiffs’ costs and $62,500 in supplemental environmental projects. Defendants must also implement certain compliance assurance programs. The settlement was filed on September 15, 2021 in Solano County Superior Court Case No. FCS057080, and signed by the Honorable Alesia Jones.

In full cooperation with the People’s investigation, California Ulta stores have adopted and implemented new policies and procedures and enhanced existing training programs designed to properly manage and dispose of hazardous waste products, other regulated waste, and confidential customer consumer information.

“Protecting the environment is a top priority of our office, but equally important is the protection of consumer privacy rights. We believe this settlement achieves both of these goals by mandating safer practices and preserving customers’ confidential information.” said District Attorney Krishna Abrams.