Wozniak Settles With Newell Rubbermaid et al Re: Cooking Utensils and Office Supplies

Our client Paul Wozniak has negotiated a settlement with Newell Rubbermaid Inc., Calphalon Corporation, Irwin Industrial Tool Company, and Sanford, L.P. (collectively, “Newell”) in regards to alleged Proposition 65 violations.  Wozniak alleged that Newell sold nylon cooking utensils containing the chemical 4,4’-methylenedialine (4,4’-MDA) and vinyl/PVC tape and vinyl/PVC journal covers containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate without the requisite health hazard warnings.  4,4’-MDA and DEHP are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and/or reproductive harm, and companies offering products for sale that contain such chemicals must provide California consumers with a “clear and reasonable” warning of exposure risk.

In addition to civil penalties, Newell has agreed to sell only nylon cooking utensils and vinyl/PVC journal covers that have been reformulated to be virtually free of 4,4’-MDA and DEHP.  Vinyl/PVC tape will be sold with Proposition 65 warnings provided.  For more details, see the case summary on our website: Wozniak v. Newell Rubbermaid Inc., et al

The Chanler Group represents citizen enforcers who, acting in the public interest, commence actions against businesses offering products for sale in California that contain chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm without first providing the health hazard warning required by Proposition 65. Citizen enforcers bringing Proposition 65 actions in the public interest may obtain a Court Judgment imposing civil penalties, an injunction requiring reformulation of products, and/or provision of health hazard warnings. The Chanler Group has represented citizen enforcers of Proposition 65 for more than twenty years.