(a) Health and Safety Code section 25249.7(d)(1) requires that the certifier state that the certifier "has consulted with one or more persons with relevant and appropriate experience or expertise who has reviewed facts, studies, or other data regarding the exposure to the listed chemical that is the subject of the action, and that, based on that information, the person executing the certificate believes there is a reasonable and meritorious case for the private action." "Reasonable and meritorious case for the private action" requires not only documentation of exposure to a listed chemical, but a reasonable basis for concluding that the entire action has merit. The certifier must have a basis to conclude that there is merit to each element of the action on which the plaintiff will have the burden of proof. The certifier does not need to have a basis to conclude that it will be able to negate all affirmative defenses, but must certify that the information relied upon does not prove that any affirmative defense has merit.(b) The Certificate of Merit shall contain all of the following statements, and appear in the following form: CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
Health and Safety Code Section 25249.7(d)
I, (name of certifier), hereby declare:
1. This Certificate of Merit accompanies the attached sixty-day notice(s) in which it is alleged the parties identified in the notices have violated Health and Safety Code section 25249.6 by failing to provide clear and reasonable warnings.2. I am the (noticing party/attorney for the noticing party).3. I have consulted with one or more persons with relevant and appropriate experience or expertise who has reviewed facts, studies, or other data regarding the alleged exposure to the listed chemical that is the subject of the action.4. Based on the information obtained through those consultations, and on all other information in my possession, I believe there is a reasonable and meritorious case for the private action. I understand that "reasonable and meritorious case for the private action" means that the information provides a credible basis that all elements of the plaintiffs' case can be established and the information did not prove that the alleged violator will be able to establish any of the affirmative defenses set forth in the statute.5. The copy of this Certificate of Merit served on the Attorney General attaches to it factual information sufficient to establish the basis for this certificate, including the information identified in Health and Safety Code section 25249.7(h)(2), i.e., (1) the identity of the persons consulted with and relied on by the certifier, and (2) the facts, studies, or other data reviewed by those persons. | ___________________________Dated: | | ___________________________ | |
| | | (Signature) | |
Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 11, § 3101
1. New section filed 1-17-2003; operative 1-17-2003 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2003, No. 3).
2. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (a) filed 12-6-2021 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2021, No. 50). Note: Authority cited: Sections 25249.7(d), 25249.7(h) and 25249.7(i), Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 25249.7(d), 25249.7(h) and 25249.7(i), Health and Safety Code.
1. New section filed 1-17-2003; operative 1-17-2003 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(Register 2003, No. 3).
2. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (a) filed 12-6-2021 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2021, No. 50).