EPA v. Lowe's Home Centers, LLC (RRP)

Case summary

The United States and Lowe?s Home Centers, LLC (?Lowe?s?) signed a Consent Decree (Case No. 3:14-cv-00449), which was entered by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois on August 29, 2014 (?2014 CD?). In addition to payment of a penalty, the 2014 CD required Lowe?s to ensure its compliance with the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule through development and implementation of compliance procedures, and notify EPA of identified noncompliance through periodic reports. EPA and DOJ jointly evaluated Lowe?s compliance with the 2014 CD requirements after the both Agencies received a request from Lowe?s to terminate the 2014 CD in 2018. From 2018 to the present, EPA and DOJ found widespread noncompliance with the RRP Rule and the 2014 CD requirements. The noncompliance occurred throughout Lowe?s service areas, with violations identified in at least 23 states. Lowe?s failed to implement a compliance program that meets Consent Decree and RRP Rule requirements. The proposed Consent Decree addresses alleged violations by Lowe?s for its failure to comply with sections 402(c), 406(b), and 407 of Title IV of the Toxic Substances Control Act (?TSCA?), 15 U.S.C. ?? 2682(c), 2686(b), and 2687, and the implementing regulations codified at 40 C.F.R. Part 745, Subpart E (?Residential Property Renovation Rule? or ?RRP Rule?), as well as violations of an existing Consent Decree for renovation projects performed in homes constructed prior to 1978 located throughout the United States. Lowe?s commits to implementing injunctive relief required by the Consent Decree to bring its operations into compliance with the RRP Rule. The relief includes measures to comply with federal lead-safe work practices (?LSWP?) for numerous impacted individuals. As a result of this settlement, people throughout the United States will be protected from potential exposures to lead paint hazards when renovation work is performed under a contract with Lowe?s. In addition to the injunctive relief, the Consent Decree requires Lowe?s to pay a civil penalty of $12,500,000.

Defendants (1)

• Lowe's Home Centers, LLCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• LOWE'S HOME CENTERS INC

  218 NICHOLAS WAY, KENT, OH, 44240

  Registry ID: 110037438252

Statutes cited

• TSCA 406B — Lead: Pre-Renovation Education Rule
• TSCA 402C — Lead: RRP

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Lowe's Home Centers, LLC (RRP)entered 2026-07-08

  Primary law: TSCA

  Federal penalty: $12,500,000

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2014-08-29Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2014-08-29Complaint Filed With Court
• 2025-11-25Final Order Lodged
• 2026-07-08Final Order Entered
• 2026-07-15Enforcement Action Data Entered