U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  [Printer-friendly version]
December 17, 2007

U.S. EPA SETTLES WITH THE CLOROX COMPANY FOR $95,000

By David Yogi, (808) 541-2726, yogi.david@epa.gov

Los Angeles, Calif. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
recently fined Oakland, Calif.-based The Clorox Company $95,000 for
allegedly distributing an unregistered and mislabeled Chinese version
of Clorox Disinfectant Bleach, in violation of federal pesticide law.

The company's Los Angeles production facility donated the illegal
disinfectants to Los Angeles charities in 2005 and 2006. The products
were intended for Asian export, so the labels lacked adequate English-
language directions for use, hazard and precautionary statements, and
the required statement "Not Registered for Use in the United States of
America."

"Unregistered pesticides meant solely for export must not be donated,
sold, or otherwise distributed in the United States," said Katherine
Taylor, associate director of the Communities and Ecosystems Division
for the Pacific Southwest region. "Clorox did not give EPA the
opportunity to review these labels to ensure the protection of human
health and the environment. Recipients of charity deserve the same
level of protection from pesticidal risk as all other users."

The EPA annually reviews production reports submitted by industry, and
found discrepancies in The Clorox Company reports for 2005 and 2006.
The agency conducted a detailed investigation that uncovered 38
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act violations.

Before selling or distributing any pesticide in the United States,
companies must register the pesticide with the EPA. The domestic sale
or distribution of pesticides that have not been registered with the
EPA, such as export-only pesticides, is a violation of federal
pesticide law.

The law also requires unregistered, export-only pesticides to be
clearly marked with required labeling to prevent the products from
inadvertently entering the U.S. market. The requirements protect
public health and the environment by ensuring safe and appropriate
distribution, handling, and application of pesticides.

For more information on pesticide regulation and enforcement, please
visit: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides

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