California Air Resources Board

SACRAMENTO – The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has reached two settlements totaling $318,622 with Amrep, Inc. for selling consumer products in California that violate state air quality standards.

"It's critical for our enforcement team to continually check products for safety to consumers and the environment," said Catherine Witherspoon, ARB Executive Officer. "We are glad that Amrep, Inc., is fixing the problem."

Amrep, Inc., based in Marietta, Georgia, is a specialty chemical formulator and packager specializing in aerosols, liquids and lubricants. The company provides private label and custom designed products for a wide variety of resellers ranging from the largest retailers to specialty distributors.

From 2003 to 2005, Amrep manufactured, sold and/or offered for sale in California 106,472 units of 12-oz. aerosol STP Throttle Body & Intake Cleaner that exceeded the state's volatile organic compound (VOC) standard of 45 percent for carburetor or fuel-injection air intake cleaners. The excess emissions resulting from the sale of this non-compliant product was over 12.6 tons.

After ARB notified Amrep, Inc., of the violation, the company took several steps to mitigate the problem, including reformulating the STP Throttle Body & Intake Cleaner so that its VOC content would be less than 45 percent.

During a subsequent self-audit, Amrep, Inc., discovered other violations, including selling STP Silicone Spray which also exceeded state standards, as well as a non-compliant STP Carb Cleaner. As part of a second settlement agreement, Amrep self-reported two additional formulations of non-complying Tire Sealants and four formulation Rubber and Vinyl Protectants. The company issued orders to remove these non-compliant items from store shelves.

The $318,622 settlement will be paid directly to the Air Pollution Control Fund which is used to mitigate various sources of pollution through education and the advancement and use of cleaner technology.