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

August 23, 2012
DEHP, Lead
Consent Judgment
The San Francisco County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in Brimer v. Provo Craft & Novelty, Inc., et al. on August 23, 2012.  This enforcement action resolved citizen enforcer Russell Brimer’s allegations that the defendant Provo Craft & Novelty, Inc. (“Provo”) sold storage binders, binder inserts/pages, shoulder bags, and tote...
August 22, 2012
DEHP
Consent Judgment
On August 22, 2012, the San Francisco County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in Moore v. Trade Associates Group, Ltd., which resolved citizen enforcer John Moore's allegations that the defendant Trade Associates Group, Ltd. ("Trade Associates") sold coverings for books containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate ("DEHP")...
August 20, 2012
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On August 20, 2012, citizen enforcer Russell Brimer and settling defendant Dixon Ticonderoga Company ("Dixon") entered into an out-of-court Settlement Agreement, which resolved Brimer's allegations that Dixon sold pen pouches containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate ("DEHP") in the State of California without providing the...
August 14, 2012
Lead
Out-of-Court Settlement
On August 14, 2012, citizen enforcer Russell Brimer and settling defendant Alvin & Company, Inc. ("A&C"), entered into an out-of-court Settlement Agreement, which resolved Brimer's allegations that A&C sold pencil sharpeners containing the heavy metal lead in the State of California without providing the requisite health hazard warnings. As part...
June 24, 2012
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On June 24, 2012, citizen enforcer John Moore and settling defendant Raymond Geddes & Company, Inc. ("RGC"), entered into an out-of-court Settlement Agreement, which resolved Moore's allegations that RGC sold pencil cases/pouches, key chains, and rulers containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate ("DEHP") in the State of...
June 1, 2012
Lead
Consent Judgment
On June 1, 2012, the San Francisco County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in Brimer v. Office Depot, Inc., which resolved citizen enforcer Russell Brimer's allegations that the defendant, Office Depot, Inc. ("Office Depot"), sold colored vinyl-coated paper fasteners containing the heavy metal lead in the State of California without providing the...
May 15, 2012
DBP, DEHP, Lead
Consent Judgment
On May 15, 2012, the San Francisco County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in Moore v. Brownlow Publishing Company, et al., which resolved citizen enforcer John Moore's allegations that the defendant Brownlow Publishing Company ("Brownlow") sold notepads containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate ("DEHP"), purses...
March 28, 2012
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On March 28, 2012, citizen enforcer John Moore and settling defendant Charles Leonard Inc. ("Charles Leonard") entered into an out-of-court Settlement Agreement, which resolved Moore's allegations that Charles Leonard sold erasers containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate ("DEHP") in the State of California without providing the...