FROM: U.S. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
FTC Approves Final Consents Settling Charges That Mattress Sellers Lacked Scientific Evidence to Prove Products Were Free From Volatile Organic Compounds
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved final consent orders in three cases involving allegedly deceptive environmental claims for mattresses. The FTC’s complaints, first announced in July, 2013, against Relief-Mart, Inc.; Esssentia Natural Memory Foam Company, Inc.; and Ecobaby Organics, Inc., charged the companies with making unsupported claims that the mattresses they sell are free of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The FTC also charged that two of the companies made unsupported claims that their mattresses were chemical-free and odorless. The FTC also challenged one company’s claim that its mattresses are made from 100 percent natural materials, and another company’s claim that its mattresses were certified by an organic mattress organization.
In settling the Commission’s charges, the companies have agreed not to make similar claims in the future, unless they have competent and reliable scientific evidence to prove they are true. In addition, Ecobaby is barred from making misrepresentations about certifications.
The Commission vote to approve the final orders and, in the cases of Essentia and EcoBaby, to send letters to the public commenters, was 4-0. (FTC File Nos. 122-3128, Relief-Mart; 122-3129, Ecobaby Organics; 122-3130, Essentia Natural Memory Foam Company; the staff contact is Robin Moore, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2167; see press release dated July 25, 2013)
The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.
Showing posts with label VOCs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label VOCs. Show all posts
Friday, November 15, 2013
Monday, April 1, 2013
CHEMICAL COMPANY TO PAY $3 MILLION PENALTY FOR ALLEGED CLEAN AIR ACT VIOLATIONS
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Honeywell Resins and Chemicals to Pay $3 Million Penalty, Upgrade Air Pollution Controls at Hopewell, Virginia, Plant
Honeywell Resins and Chemicals LLC has agreed to pay a $3 million civil penalty for alleged Clean Air Act violations at its Hopewell, Va., plant, and improve the facility’s air pollution control equipment and processes, the Justice Department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today.
The proposed consent decree resolves violations of federal and state air pollution regulations at the Hopewell plant, the world’s largest single-site producer of caprolactam used in the production of nylon, and ammonium sulfate used for fertilizer. According to EPA and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the facility violated Clean Air Act limits on emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx), benzene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter. The plant also allegedly failed to comply with requirements to upgrade air pollution control equipment, to detect and repair leaks of hazardous air pollutants, and to develop safeguards on benzene waste.
In addition to the $3 million civil penalty, Honeywell has agreed to reduce harmful air pollutants, install selective catalytic reduction at four production trains at the facility, conduct a third-party benzene waste operations audit, and implement an enhanced leak detection and repair program at the facility. Honeywell will also perform a mitigation project valued at approximately $1 million at the facility. The settlement reduces annual emissions of NOx by about 6,260 tons, and cuts annual emissions of benzene, other VOCs and hazardous air pollutants by 100 tons. The estimated cost for injunctive relief to address these emissions will be approximately $66 million dollars. The civil penalty will be split evenly between Virginia and the United States.
As part of the settlement, Honeywell did not admit liability for the violations, but has certified that it is now in compliance with applicable Clean Air Act regulations. The proposed consent decree is subject to a 30 day public comment period and final court approval.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Honeywell Resins and Chemicals to Pay $3 Million Penalty, Upgrade Air Pollution Controls at Hopewell, Virginia, Plant
Honeywell Resins and Chemicals LLC has agreed to pay a $3 million civil penalty for alleged Clean Air Act violations at its Hopewell, Va., plant, and improve the facility’s air pollution control equipment and processes, the Justice Department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today.
The proposed consent decree resolves violations of federal and state air pollution regulations at the Hopewell plant, the world’s largest single-site producer of caprolactam used in the production of nylon, and ammonium sulfate used for fertilizer. According to EPA and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the facility violated Clean Air Act limits on emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx), benzene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter. The plant also allegedly failed to comply with requirements to upgrade air pollution control equipment, to detect and repair leaks of hazardous air pollutants, and to develop safeguards on benzene waste.
In addition to the $3 million civil penalty, Honeywell has agreed to reduce harmful air pollutants, install selective catalytic reduction at four production trains at the facility, conduct a third-party benzene waste operations audit, and implement an enhanced leak detection and repair program at the facility. Honeywell will also perform a mitigation project valued at approximately $1 million at the facility. The settlement reduces annual emissions of NOx by about 6,260 tons, and cuts annual emissions of benzene, other VOCs and hazardous air pollutants by 100 tons. The estimated cost for injunctive relief to address these emissions will be approximately $66 million dollars. The civil penalty will be split evenly between Virginia and the United States.
As part of the settlement, Honeywell did not admit liability for the violations, but has certified that it is now in compliance with applicable Clean Air Act regulations. The proposed consent decree is subject to a 30 day public comment period and final court approval.
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