Stationery and Office Fasteners, Tools & Supplies

Stationery and Office Fasteners, Tools & Supplies

The Chanler Group's clients' investigation of many ubiquitous office and stationery products has detected levels of lead and phthalates, substances known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and other reproductive harm.

As a neurotoxin and a heavy metal, lead negatively affects the nervous system in both adults and children.  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.

In 2012, Russel Brimer, a Chanler Group client, reached an unparalleled settlement with the manufacturers of office fasteners, tools, and supplies. Manufacturers including ACCO Brands Corporation agreed to reformulate the products covered under the settlement to virtually eliminate the presence of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm. These included lead, DEHP, BBP, and DBP.

Significantly, this settlement involved a large array of products, including, but not limited to: (i) art, craft, and drafting supply cases, portfolios, pouches, stands and wraps; (ii) identification products such as I.D. holders, I.D. lanyards, clips, cords, and cables; (iii) fasteners, hangers, paper and binder clips, picture, storage, cup hooks, and wires; (iv) writing instruments including erasers, pens, pencils, markers, highlighters, and sharpeners; (v) calendars, planners, and appointment books; and (vi) document storage, organization, and presentation products such as binders, folders, filers, checkbook covers, index dividers, sleeves, protectors, and pouches.  Due to the number of products covered by this settlement, the case considerably impacted the office products industry.

Additional settlements obtained by The Chanler Group's clients include agreements with major office supply retailers, including Office Depot, OfficeMax, and Staples.

To review legal agreements which The Chanler Group’s clients have reached with companies who sell stationery and office supplies, please see the cases below.

firm casework - enforcement

November 18, 2010
Lead
Consent Judgment
On November 18, 2010, the Alameda County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in Brimer v. Comptree Inc., which resolved citizen enforcer Russell Brimer's allegations that the defendant Comptree Inc. ("Comptree") sold color coated metal fasteners, colored, vinyl-coated paper fasteners, and TV tuner cards, all containing the heavy metal lead in the State...
October 26, 2010
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On October 26, 2010, citizen enforcer John Moore and settling defendant Publications International, Ltd. ("Publications International") entered into an out-of-court Settlement Agreement, which resolved Moore's allegations that Publications International sold books containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate ("DEHP") in the State of...
September 24, 2010
Lead
Consent Judgment
On September 24, 2010, the San Francisco County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in Brimer v. Who's There, Inc; OfficeMax Incorporated, which resolved citizen enforcer Russell Brimer's allegations that the defendants Who's There, Inc. ("Who's There") and Office Max, Inc. ("Office Max") sold color coated metal fasteners...
September 16, 2010
DEHP, Lead
Consent Judgment
On September 16, 2010, the Alameda County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in Brimer v. Toys "R" Us, Inc.; et al., which resolved citizen enforcers Russell Brimer's and Anthony E. Held, Ph.D., P.E.'s allegations that the defendant Nationwide Trading Corporation ("NTC") sold colored, vinyl-coated paper fasteners containing the heavy...
August 23, 2010
Lead
Out-of-Court Settlement
On August 23, 2010, citizen enforcer Russell Brimer and settling defendants Tung Yung International (USA), Inc. and Tung Yung International, Ltd. (collectively "Tung Yung") entered into an out-of-court Settlement Agreement, which resolved Brimer's allegations that Tung Yung sold color coated metal fasteners and colored vinyl-coated paper fasteners containing...
August 2, 2010
Lead
Consent Judgment
On August 2, 2010, the San Francisco County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in Brimer v. ACCO Brands Corporation, et al., which resolved citizen enforcer Russell Brimer's allegations that the defendant Four Seasons General Merchandise, Inc. ("Four Seasons") sold colored, vinyl-coated paper fasteners and tape measures with hand straps containing the...
July 15, 2010
BBP, DBP, DEHP, Lead
Out-of-Court Settlement
On July 15, 2010, citizen enforcer Russell Brimer and settling defendant Alvin & Company, Inc. ("Alvin") entered into an out-of-court Settlement Agreement, which resolved Brimer's allegations that Alvin sold flexible curve drawing products and vinyl cutting mats, erasers, measuring tapes, vinyl or vinyl trimmed pencil pouches, and boardcover vinyl rolls...
June 11, 2010
Lead
Consent Judgment
On June 11, 2010, the San Francisco County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in Brimer v. ACCO Brands Corporation, et al., which resolved citizen enforcer Russell Brimer's allegations that the defendant Kole Imports ("Kole") sold vinyl coated paper fasteners, vinyl coated measuring tapes, and vinyl coated craft wire containing the heavy metal lead in...