Lowe's Companies, Inc.

In April 2014, Lowe's Home Centers agreed to resolve federal allegations that contractors performing renovation projects for Lowe's customers failed to comply with EPA requirements designed to prevent exposure to dangerous lead dust. The settlement concerned the federal Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. The rule applies to renovation work that can disturb lead-based paint in older homes and requires covered firms and renovators to be properly certified and follow lead-safe practices. The Environmental Protection Agency and Justice Department alleged that Lowe's failed to provide documentation demonstrating that contractors hired to perform renovation work had been properly certified, appropriately trained, used required lead-safe work practices or correctly used EPA-approved lead testing methods. EPA's investigation identified problems at renovation sites including homes in Illinois and Ohio. According to EPA, contractors failed in certain instances to properly contain work areas during renovations and to properly clean renovation areas afterward. The investigation originated from records reviewed after tips and complaints submitted by members of the public. Lowe's agreed to establish a comprehensive corporate-wide compliance program covering more than 1,700 stores. The company agreed to monitor contractor certifications, suspend contractors whose certifications had expired or who failed to comply with the lead-safety requirements, require enhanced renovation recordkeeping and investigate notices concerning possible noncompliance. Lowe's also agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty. EPA stated that this was the largest civil penalty obtained for violations of the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule at that time. This is a separate enforcement action from the later 2025 Lowe's settlement. The federal government subsequently alleged that Lowe's failed to successfully implement aspects of the compliance obligations established through this 2014 resolution. Primary source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Lowe's Home Centers, LLC Settlement: https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/lowes-home-centers-llc-settlement

The U.S. Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed nationwide settlement with Lowe's Home Centers LLC in November 2025 over alleged violations of federal rules designed to protect families from lead exposure during home renovations. Lowe's Home Centers is a subsidiary of Lowe's Companies, Inc. The case concerns EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, which requires contractors performing certain renovation work in homes built before 1978 to be properly certified and to use lead-safe work practices. The alleged violations arose from renovation work performed by contractors hired by Lowe's at hundreds of homes across the United States, primarily between 2019 and 2021. EPA alleged that Lowe's failed to successfully implement compliance requirements imposed under an earlier 2014 settlement with the federal government. According to the government, some violations were identified through compliance reports Lowe's was already required to submit under the earlier consent decree. EPA found additional alleged violations after investigating a public tip concerning door replacements and other renovation work performed by a Lowe's contractor in California. The federal government alleged noncompliance with requirements intended to prevent dangerous lead dust and paint chips from being spread during renovations. Under the proposed 2025 consent decree, Lowe's agreed to pay a $12.5 million civil penalty. The company also agreed to implement a comprehensive nationwide compliance program covering firms and installers hired to perform renovation work. Among other measures, Lowe's must verify property age, use appropriately certified firms and renovators, collect compliance documentation and operate an electronic compliance system designed to prevent non-certified installers from receiving covered renovation work. The settlement resolves allegations and was announced as a proposed consent decree subject to public comment and final court approval. Primary sources: U.S. Department of Justice — Lowe's Home Centers to Pay $12.5M Penalty for Lead Paint Violations During Home Renovations: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/lowes-home-centers-pay-125m-penalty-lead-paint-violations-during-home-renovations U.S. EPA — Lowe's Home Centers, LLC RRP 2025 Settlement Summary: https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/lowes-home-centers-llc-rrp-2025-settlement-summary