Syngenta Crop Protection has reached a settlement agreement with the EPA for alleged violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.  The agreement states that Syngenta will pay $766,508 in civil penalties and spend $436,990 on a Supplemental Environmental Project.

“The repackaging, sale and distribution of unregistered and misbranded pesticides is illegal and puts people and the environment at risk,” said Anne Heard, Acting Regional Administrator for the Southeast. “Users rely on accurate, up-to-date information about ingredients, directions for use, hazards and safety precautions. This settlement sends a strong message to pesticide companies to maintain compliance with all federal environmental laws.”

A multi-regional investigation was conducted by EPA Regions 4, 5, 7 and 8 resulting in evidence supporting the alleged violations against Syngenta. The investigation started in August of 2012 and concluded in January of 2015. Based on a review of the evidence, EPA determined that Syngenta distributed and/or sold numerous pesticide products to refillers prior to having written repackaging agreements with the refillers. Syngenta failed to maintain records of the repackaging agreements as required by the Pesticide Management and Disposal rule (Pesticide Container Containment Rule).

Syngenta also violated FIFRA by selling and distributing misbranded pesticides. Many of the labels affixed to the pesticide products and/or containers bore labels that were either outdated or not in conformance with the EPA accepted label. Some of these misbranded labels were of pesticides that were classified as restricted use.

The Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) involves a four-year educational awareness training and campaign to educate those whom the regulations affect on compliance requirements.  The training will focus on requirements relevant to bulk pesticide containers, containment, labels, storage, transportation, delivery, clean-out, repackaging agreements and record keeping.

Payment must be payed to the U.S. Department of  Treasury by October 15, 2016.