Ocean State Job Lot Fined by EPA for Imported Insecticide Devices

PROVIDENCE – Federal environmental regulators have fined the parent company of Ocean State Job Lot for alleged violations related to the sale of mislabeled insect control devices.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday it has fined North Kingstown-based Ocean State Jobbers $53,500 for allegedly violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, or FIFRA.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the allegations involved the import, distribution and sale of insecticides that entered the country through Boston and Worcester, Massachusetts.

Bug zappers at Ocean State Job Lot allegedly mislabeled

The agency said the devices were incorrectly labeled because they lacked an EPA number, a unique identifier assigned to the facility where they were manufactured.

The EPA also said Ocean State Job Lot failed to file required notices of arrival for the import of insecticide devices.

The alleged violations occurred between February 2020 and April 2023.

“Consumers deserve accuracy and demand responsibility when it comes to the products they purchase,” David W. Cash, EPA New England regional administrator, said in a statement. “This settlement serves as a reminder that accuracy is required, not just suggestion, and that anyone importing pest control equipment into the U.S. must follow the proper rules to do so legally.”

Ocean State Job Lot said the insecticide devices are safe and customers do not need to take any action. The company said the devices were mislabeled by the manufacturer and that it did not know they were subject to FIFRA.

“As soon as we were notified of the processing errors, we immediately implemented a corrective action plan and shared it with EPA,” the company said. “Thanks to our quick and thorough response and full cooperation, EPA issued the lowest possible penalty based on the violation.”