Concord Enterprises, Inc. pays $59,000 fine to settle alleged household pesticides violations

SAN FRANCISCO – As part of a recent settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over the alleged sale of unregistered pesticides, Concord Enterprises, Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif. will pay $59,000.

Concord Enterprises, Inc., located at 2957 E. 46th Street in Los Angeles, allegedly sold several unregistered pesticides. Mega Care Toilet Bowl Cleaner claimed to “kill germs,” Blue Bubble Auto Toilet Cleaner claimed it “disinfects” and three surface wipes imported from China were identified as “antibacterial.” The products were sold in several states including California, Arizona, and Hawaii. The company is a large wholesale distributor to retail “dollar stores.”

“We continue to find retailers of household pesticide products in violation of federal law. Our rules not only regulate the manufacture and use of pesticides but the retail sale as well,” said Katherine Taylor, Associate Director of the EPA’s Communities and Ecosystems Division of EPA Southwest Regional Office. “EPA will continue to seek out violators of the federal regulations and level fines in our continuing efforts to protect human health and the environment.”

The case is based on inspections by the EPA, the Arizona Department of Agriculture, and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation in late 2005 and 2006.

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act regulates the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides within the United States. Before selling or distributing any pesticide in the United States, companies must register the pesticide with the EPA. Each producer, seller, and distributor is required pursuant to federal law to ensure that the registered pesticide is labeled in accordance with Agency requirements.