ARB fines manufacturer $507,000 for air quality violations for offering uncertified generators for sale

Thousands of units sold in Costco stores
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For immediate release

Fecha
Release Number
14-57

Contacts

Karen Caesar
Public Information Office
kcaesar@arb.ca.gov
(916) 322-2990

SACRAMENTO - The Air Resources Board has fined Virginia-based company Smarter Tools Inc. $507,000 for selling illegal generators in California.

In May, 2013, an ARB investigation showed that Smarter Tools, a US-operated business that owns multiple manufacturing facilities in China, had thousands of generators for sale at Costco warehouses which contained small off-road engines that were not certified by ARB.

“Certification protects human health by requiring companies to produce engines that don’t emit excessive air pollutants,” said ARB Enforcement Chief Jim Ryden. “Fortunately, this company acted quickly to remove the units in question and was proactive and cooperative throughout the enforcement process.”  
 
As part of the settlement, signed in January 2014, Smarter Tools agreed to ensure that all engines used in future products will be properly certified and labeled before being sold in California.

All monies collected are paid to the California Air Pollution Control Fund which provides funding for projects and research to improve California’s air quality.

CARB is the lead agency in California for cleaning up the air and fighting climate change to attain and maintain health-based air quality standards. Its mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through the effective reduction of air and climate pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy.