EPA settlement with Hingham, Mass. company stops distribution and use of unregistered pesticides
Company agreed to pay penalty and comply with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
BOSTON (Nov. 2, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently reached a settlement with a Hingham, Mass. company for alleged violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, and will require the company to maintain compliance under federal law.
Astec Bio USA Inc. (Astec Bio), located in Hingham, Mass., imports and sells disinfectant products to customers in the in-vitro fertilization industry for use on IVF equipment.
"At EPA, our mission every day is to further protect the health of communities, women and children," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "When people go to the doctor, they should be certain that they are not coming into contact with harmful chemicals. It is unacceptable to put vulnerable people at risk, especially when they are making important decisions for their growing families."
EPA's settlement alleged that Astec Bio had product registration and import violations under FIFRA. An EPA inspection found that the company had imported disinfectant products without previously filing Notice of Arrival forms, required under the rules and regulations of FIFRA. Investigators also confirmed that the imported products were not registered with EPA under Section 3 of FIFRA. Section 3 requires all pesticide products to be registered with EPA so that the agency can examine the ingredients, use of the product, storage practices and other associated logistics, to ensure there are no unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment.
Earlier this year, EPA issued a Stop Sale, Use, or Removal Order to Astec Bio, which required to company to stop all distribution and imports of the disinfectant products. The company complied and, with prior approval from EPA, disposed of its inventory safely.
In addition to maintaining FIFRA compliance, Astec Bio agreed to pay a penalty of $74,594.
Background
First enacted in 1947, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is a statute that covers the registration, distribution, sale and use of pesticides in the United States. With regulations and safety provisions, FIFRA protects communities, the environment and those who handle these products. Pesticides must be registered with EPA, under FIFRA, to ensure that there are no unreasonable effects with use. Applicants must show that the use of such pesticides will not cause adverse effects on the environment.
More information:
Overview of FIFRA: https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/federal-insecticide-fungicide-and-rodenticide-act-fifra-and-federal-facilities#Summary
Types of FIFRA Registration: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/types-registrations-under-fifra