The Home Depot, Inc.

Home Depot U.S.A. Inc. agreed to pay a $20.75 million civil penalty to resolve alleged nationwide violations of federal rules governing renovations involving lead-based paint. The Environmental Protection Agency and Justice Department alleged violations of the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule involving renovations performed by contractors hired through Home Depot. The rule is designed to protect residents, particularly children, from exposure to hazardous lead dust and paint chips generated during renovations of older buildings. EPA said its investigation found hundreds of instances in which Home Depot subcontracted renovation work to firms that were not properly certified. The government also alleged failures involving lead-safe work practices, required post-renovation cleaning, distribution of required lead-hazard information to occupants and maintenance of compliance records. The settlement required Home Depot to establish a comprehensive corporate-wide compliance program intended to ensure that contractors performing covered renovation work are appropriately certified and trained. Home Depot also agreed to conduct inspections and respond to customer complaints concerning lead-safe work practices. The $20.75 million penalty was the highest civil penalty obtained in a settlement under the Toxic Substances Control Act at the time. The final consent decree was entered in April 2021. Primary sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Home Depot Settlement Information Sheet: https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/home-depot-settlement-information-sheet EPA — Home Depot To Pay $20,750,000 Penalty: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/home-depot-pay-20750000-penalty-nationwide-failure-follow-rules-conducting-renovations