LOS ANGELES – Under the terms of a recent settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Restore4, Inc. of Northridge, Calif. will pay $5,200 for allegedly distributing an unregistered pesticide over the Internet, a violation of federal law.
Responding to a tip, EPA investigators determined that Restore4, Inc. had sold and distributed “Restore4″ – a kitchen/bathroom cleaner over the Internet – claiming it “kills pathogenic bacteria.” Restore4 was not registered as a pesticide with the EPA, a violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act which regulates the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides within the United States.
“Companies distributing products over the Internet cannot ignore federal pesticide laws,” said Enrique Manzanilla, the EPA’s Communities and Ecosystems Division director for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. “Due to the scope of the Internet, these products have the potential for negative impacts on human health and the environment over a wide geographic area. All pesticide producers need to ensure that their products meet all federal and state regulations.”
The EPA will not register a pesticide until it has been tested to show that it will not pose an unreasonable risk when used according to the directions. The agency also makes sure that pesticide labels provide consumers with the information they need to use the products safely. Pesticides that have been registered with the agency will have an EPA registration number on the label.