CLAAS of America, Inc. Settlement
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CLAAS of America, Inc. Case Settles for $231,750
CLAAS is a German company that manufactures agricultural harvesting equipment. In May 2013, CLAAS reported to the Air Resources Board (ARB) that some of their previous sales of agricultural foragers in California included engines that had not been certified and approved for sale in California. A subsequent investigational audit by CLAAS also revealed the sale of mislabeled engines and machines that had been incorrectly labeled as compliant with California regulations throughout the United States. Sale of these engines in California without certification under an ARB Executive Order or the sale of machines incorrectly labeled as compliant with California regulation violates Title 13, California Code of Regulations section 2420 et seq.
CLAAS provided ARB with all needed information during the agency’s investigation and fully cooperated in the resolution of the matter, which included a halt to California sales of machines lacking certified engines. The case was settled in July 2015 for a total of $231,750.00 and includes provisions for a buy-back program to remove machines with uncertified engines from California, and a nationwide relabeling campaign to correct any existing labels which incorrectly claim California certification.