Ross Stores to Pay $55K Penalty After Failing to Register 6 Pesticide Products with EPA
The settlement between the EPA and the discount store company was announced on July 6.
- By Alex Saurman
- Jul 07, 2023
The EPA has announced a settlement with Ross Stores Inc. after the company sold wipes, a disinfectant spray and an “antimicrobial” phone screen protector that were not registered with the agency.
By selling these unregistered pesticides—defined as “products that claim to kill, destroy, prevent, or repel bacteria or viruses”— Ross Stores did not adhere to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), according to a news release, which requires “all pesticides distributed or sold in the United States [to] be registered (licensed) by EPA.”
The products included CIF Power & Shine Multi-Purpose Wipes (Ocean Fresh), CIF Power & Shine Multi-Purpose Wipes (Citrus Fresh), Domestos Professional Disinfecting Surface Wipes, CIF Multi-Purpose Disinfectant Spray and Domestos Multi-Purpose Disinfectant Spray and an Avalanche Antimicrobial Tempered Glass iPhone screen protector.
"It's crucial that all Americans can trust that the disinfectant products they buy are safe and effective," said EPA Pacific Southwest Administrator Martha Guzman in the news release.
As part of a settlement announced on July 6, 2023, the discount store company will pay a $55,000 penalty.
"This settlement is proof of EPA's commitment to enforce laws that protect consumers and public health,” Guzman continued.
About the Author
Alex Saurman is the Content Editor for Environmental Protection.