SEPT. 23 I FENDER I ENVIRONMENT
Fender Fined by EPA

On Sept. 21, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placed a $78,861 fine on Fender for violating federal hazardous waste requirements at the company’s Southern California facility. During a routine inspection of the Fender facility in May 2008, EPA investigators found multiple hazardous waste violations involving issues with storage, waste determinations, containers, weekly inspections, aisle space and personnel training.

In a statement issued by Fender, the company stressed that it entered into a voluntary consent agreement with the EPA. “There is no suggestion by the EPA that any of the issues cited have impacted the environment or community in any way,” read the statement. “The areas covered under the agreement are procedural and administrative matters of space, storage and training that the EPA has established as safeguards to managing materials within our own facility.”

The statement also said that Fender "has established strong measures to ensure full compliance with the agreement and all related laws."

“We trust [this] action sends the right message — hazardous waste-generating companies must follow all federal regulations to protect their employees, surrounding communities and the environment,” said Jeff Scott, the EPA’s waste management division director for the Pacific Southwest region.

epa.gov