California Fines Sephora $775,000 for Hazardous Waste Violations

California, October 2, 2025

News Summary

California has imposed a $775,000 fine on Sephora for improper disposal of hazardous waste. The penalty arises from the mishandling of damaged and expired merchandise across its stores. The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office initiated the civil enforcement, leading to a settlement that includes a $550,000 civil penalty and $200,000 for cost recovery. Sephora has admitted no wrongdoing but agreed to the fine amid increasing scrutiny of environmental compliance in retail. This incident highlights California’s rigorous environmental regulations.

California is taking action against Sephora, a leading retailer of celebrity makeup and skincare products, by imposing a $775,000 fine for improper disposal of hazardous waste at its retail locations across the state. The fine primarily stems from the mishandling of damaged, returned, and expired merchandise, which is classified as hazardous waste under California law.

The case was initiated through a civil enforcement action filed by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with 24 city and district attorneys from around California. As part of the settlement, Sephora will pay a $550,000 civil penalty, along with $200,000 allocated for cost recovery, and an additional $25,000 that will be directed to the Environmental Enforcement and Training Account managed by the California Environmental Protection Agency. Sacramento County will receive approximately $77,730 from the overall penalty amount.

The investigation revealed several compliance failures by Sephora, including the company’s inability to properly determine and document which items it disposed of were used, expired, recalled, or damaged. Moreover, Sephora did not maintain adequate records concerning test results or waste management practices, leading to significant lapses in their hazardous waste management protocols.

The judicial ruling regarding this matter was settled in the Sacramento County Superior Court, underscoring the growing regulatory scrutiny around environmental compliance within retail operations in California.

Sephora, which was founded in 1969 as a small perfume shop in France, has since expanded significantly and currently operates over 2,700 stores in 35 countries worldwide, including more than 100 locations throughout California. The company, a subsidiary of LVMH, has its U.S. headquarters in San Francisco. A spokesperson for Sephora stated that while the company has always complied with hazardous waste regulations, it agreed to the settlement without admitting any wrongdoing.

This incident is part of a larger trend of increasing oversight regarding environmental compliance among retailers, highlighted by a similar lawsuit against United Parcel Service Inc. this past August for improper hazardous waste disposal practices. Furthermore, California has been at the forefront of establishing stringent regulations relating to waste management and environmental protections—most notably, the recent ban on plastic microbeads in personal care products.

Key Details

• Sephora fined: $775,000
• Civil penalty: $550,000
• Cost recovery: $200,000
• Environmental Enforcement and Training Account: $25,000
• Amount to Sacramento County: approximately $77,730

Background on Sephora

Founded in 1969, Sephora has transformed from a small retail shop in France into a global cosmetics powerhouse. The company operates retail locations in several countries and is known for stocking popular and celebrity-endorsed beauty products. Its U.S. operations are based in San Francisco, California, which houses more than 100 of its retail stores.

California’s Environmental Regulations

California is recognized as a national leader in environmental protections and waste management regulations. The state’s strict guidelines aim to minimize pollution and ensure safe disposal of hazardous materials. With numerous enforcement actions against businesses failing to comply with these regulations, California continues to maintain a rigorous approach to environmental oversight, as evidenced by recent lawsuits targeting major retailers.

FAQs

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Los Angeles Times: Sephora Settles with Sacramento County
• Cosmetics Business: Sephora Lands $775,000 Fine
• Personal Care Insights: Sephora Hazardous Waste Fine
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Sephora
• Google Search: Sephora hazardous waste

Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER

SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.