EPA sanctions Columbia sportswear

SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) - Columbia Sportswear Company of Portland, Ore., was sanctioned by the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday.

The famous clothing company allegedly sold and distributed mislabeled pesticide-treated clothing in violation of federal pesticide rules. The company will pay a fine of $22,880.

The EPA said clothing labels lacked the required EPA pesticide registration number, a proper ingredient statement, a proper storage and disposal statement. It also lacked the statement "It is a violation of Federal Law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling."

According to Scott Downey, manager of EPA's pesticide unit in the Seattle office, pesticides must be properly labeled to ensure protection of human health and the environment.

A Stop Sale Order was immediately issued on all the products until they could be properly labeled by the company. EPA said Columbia Sportswear fully cooperated with the procedure.

"We are very concerned that pesticide products are labeled correctly and that the language is identical to what the Agency originally reviewed and approved," Downey said. "Labels are carefully worded to inform consumers about the safe use of a product and any risks."

According to the EPA, it first learned about the misbranded products by monitoring pesticide imports. One of the company's shipments coming into the U.S. had been denied entry at a foreign port.

Further investigation revealed that several clothing shipments treated with "Insect Blocker" returned to the U.S. with foreign product labels and then were erroneously being redirected for domestic sale.

Domestic sale of items that include pesticides must meet United States labeling requirements, which differ from those of other countries said the EPA.