EPA v. KAO USA INC.

Case summary

On August 4, 2022, EPA Region III filed a Consent Agreement and Final Order, simultaneously commencing and concluding an administrative action proceeding against the Kao USA Inc. ( Kao ) facility located at Odenton, Maryland ( Facility ) for alleged RCRA Subtitle C violations. The Facility is primarily a warehouse to store Kao's personal care products. The alleged violations include operating a hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facility without a permit; failure to conduct or document weekly inspections of hazardous waste accumulation areas; failure to conduct initial or annual refresher RCRA training; failure to maintain RCRA training documents; and failure to maintain an adequate contingency plan. This administrative enforcement action provides an incentive for Kao, as well as similarly situated companies, to properly manage hazardous waste at their respective facilities. Region 3 notified Maryland on this matter. Per the terms of the Consent Agreement, Kao will pay a civil penalty in the amount of $54,900.00. The Facility is not in an EJ area of concern.

Defendants (1)

• KAO USA INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• KAO USA INC.

  1760-A CROSSROADS DR, ODENTON, MD, 21113

  Registry ID: 110046528628

Statutes cited

• RCRA 3002 — Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• KAO USA INC.entered 2022-08-05

  Primary law: RCRA

  Federal penalty: $54,900

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2022-08-05Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2022-08-05Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2022-08-05Final Order Issued
• 2022-08-19Enforcement Action Closed