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News Releases from Region 09

EPA Resolves Chemical Data Reporting and Recordkeeping Violations with Electronics Company in CA, GA

08/24/2017
Contact Information: 
Nahal Mogharabi (mogharabi.nahal@epa.gov )
213-244-1815

LOS ANGELES - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency settled its case against Ricoh Electronics, Inc., for inaccurate reporting and recordkeeping of chemical substances imported by its facilities located in Tustin and Santa Ana, Calif., and Lawrenceville, Ga.

In 2012, Ricoh filed a timely, but inaccurate, report of the total annual volumes of three chemical substances imported in 2011 at its Tustin facility and one chemical substance at its Santa Ana facility.  In addition, EPA found that in 2015, Ricoh did not have records documenting the amount of 10 chemical substances imported to its Lawrenceville, Ga., facility. Since then, the company has voluntarily developed and implemented steps to prevent similar violations in the future. 

Under the settlement, Ricoh Electronics will pay a fine of $245,990.

“EPA’s data-reporting requirements are essential to protecting communities and the environment,” said Alexis Strauss, EPA’s Acting Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “This data helps communities build a better understanding of risks posed by chemicals used in U.S. commerce.”

Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), EPA maintains a comprehensive list of more than 85,000 chemical substances called the TSCA Inventory. Chemical substances on this list that are manufactured or imported at volumes of 25,000 pounds or greater must be reported to EPA every four years, as required by TSCA’s Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) rule. The 2012 CDR required that companies accurately report information for each chemical substance it manufactured or imported into the U.S. during 2011 and maintain records for a period of five years.  Unlike many other federal programs, TSCA is directly implemented and enforced by EPA, not states.

Ricoh Electronics manufactures various electronic products such as printers, copiers and toner.  It is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company, Ltd., which is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

For more information on TSCA chemical requirements, please visit www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-toxic-substances-control-act