Hardware, Woodworking Power/Machine and Hand Tools

Hardware, Woodworking Power/Machine and Hand Tools

The Chanler Group's clients have negotiated a multitude of settlements with companies selling hardware, power woodworking tools, and hand tools that contain the heavy metal lead or phthalates in their grips or in their vinyl components.  Such cases are especially important to The Chanler Group's clients because these products tend to be used by consumers on a regular basis. Lead and phthalates are known to the State of California to cause birth defects and reproductive harm, and repetitive, frequent use of products containing them increases the risks posed by exposure.  

As a neurotoxin, lead has been shown to negatively affect the nervous system, especially children's brains. Research has shown that repeated exposure to lead cumulatively affects the developing nervous system and, over time, can lead to attention deficit, learning disabilities, short-term memory loss, behavioral problems, and diminished intellectual ability.

Phthalates are "plasticizers," substances added to plastic components and materials in consumer products to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity.  The Chanler Group's clients regularly investigate the presence of phthalate chemicals such as di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate ("DEHP"), butyl benzyl phthalate ("BBP") and Di-n-butyl phthalate ("DBP") which are often found in consumer products. 

The hardware industry also includes products made for soldering, welding, and brazing, all of which join pieces of solid metal using either extreme heat or a metal filler.  Lead is widely used in soldering, welding, and brazing products.

The Chanler Group's clients have significantly minimized the amount of lead in products used throughout this industry by initiating actions against companies that sell soldering, welding, and brazing products containing lead.  Because of the size and sophistication of a majority of the settling defendants, the impact of this litigation on the hardware, hand tool, and household product industries has been far-reaching, and the public benefit has been substantial. The resulting settlements have made this industry less toxic by obtaining commitments from manufacturers for the use of lead-free soldering, welding, and brazing products.   

To review legal agreements which The Chanler Group's clients have reached with companies that sell hardware, woodworking power tools, machine tools, and hand tools, please see the cases below.

firm casework - enforcement

December 6, 2016
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On December 6, 2016, citizen enforcer Laurence Vinocur and settling party Everhard Products, Inc. (“Everhard”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement.  Vinocur had alleged that Everhard sold vinyl tool grips containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without providing the...
December 1, 2016
DEHP
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the case Vinocur v. FLIR Systems, Inc. executed a Consent Judgment on December 1, 2016.  In this matter, citizen enforcer Laurence Vinocur alleged that FLIR Systems, Inc. (“FLIR”) sold multimeters with vinyl/PVC components containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California...
November 30, 2016
DEHP
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the case Brimer v. Hangzhou GreatStar Tools Co., Ltd. executed a Consent Judgment on November 30, 2016.  In this matter, citizen enforcer Russell Brimer alleged that Hangzhou GreatStar Tools Co., Ltd. (“Hangzhou”) sold vinyl/PVC electrical tape containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the...
November 2, 2016
DEHP
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the case Vinocur v. Wayne/Scott Fetzer Company executed a Consent Judgment on November 2, 2016.  In this matter, citizen enforcer Laurence Vinocur alleged that Wayne/Scott Fetzer Company (“Wayne/Scott”) sold vinyl/PVC tubing containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California...
October 27, 2016
DEHP
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the case Moore v. TAP Plastics, Inc. executed a Consent Judgment on October 27, 2016.  In this matter, citizen enforcer John Moore alleged that TAP Plastics, Inc. (“TAP”) sold vinyl/PVC tool grips and vinyl/PVC tubing containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without...
October 18, 2016
DEHP
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the case Moorberg v. International Sourcing Company, Inc. executed a Consent Judgment on October 18, 2016.  In this matter, citizen enforcer Mark Moorberg alleged that International Sourcing Company, Inc. (“International”) sold vinyl/PVC gloves containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the...
October 17, 2016
DINP
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the case Held v. Pasco Specialty & Mfg, Inc. executed a Consent Judgment on October 17, 2016.  In this matter, citizen enforcer Anthony E. Held alleged that Pasco Specialty & Mfg, Inc.(“Pasco”) sold tools with vinyl/PVC grips containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DINP”) in the State of...
September 22, 2016
Hand Tools
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the case Leeman v. Plews, Inc. executed a Consent Judgment on September 22, 2016.  In this matter, citizen enforcer Whitney R. Leeman, Ph.D., P.E. alleged that Plews, Inc. (“Plews”) sold tools with vinyl/PVC grips containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without...