EPA announces settlement with Invicta Watch Company of America for alleged violations of FIFRA

EPA announces settlement with Invicta Watch Company of America for alleged violations of FIFRA

Alleged Noncompliance with Applicable Federal Law during the COVID-19 Pandemic Results in $119,880 Penalty

September 19, 2024

Atlanta, GA(September 19, 2024) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today a settlement with Invicta Watch Company of America (Invicta Watch) for alleged violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Under the settlement, the company will pay a $119,880 civil penalty.

"The EPA prohibits companies from including false or misleading claims on FIFRA-regulated products. False or misleading claims can provide a false sense of security to consumers. Companies are responsible for the claims they make about their FIFRA-regulated products," said Jeaneanne Gettle, acting EPA Regional Administrator. "This settlement demonstrates the importance of ensuring that a product's efficacy claims are in compliance with federal environmental laws."

Invicta Watch engaged in the distribution and sale of FIFRA-regulated pesticide devices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between September 2021 and April 2022, Invicta Watch, headquartered in Hollywood, Florida, imported numerous shipments of Medic Therapeutics Air Purifier ultraviolet (UV) light devices into the United States. The labels on the Medic Therapeutics UV devices made several broad claims regarding the devices' ability to kill microbes, such as viruses, bacteria, and mold, and failed to specifically indicate the specific micro-organisms against which the products had been shown to be effective. For example, the devices claimed to have UV lights that "will eliminate DNA-based contagions, such as Mold Spores, Viruses, and Bacteria" and "inactivate viruses, bacteria, mold, mildew, and fungi." In addition, Invicta Watch imported these shipments into the United States without filing the proper paperwork (Notices of Arrival) prior to arrival. Upon entry into the United States, Invicta Watch distributed the misbranded UV devices to domestic customers.

For more information about pesticide devices, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/pesticide-devices-guide-consumers

For more information about the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-federal-insecticide-fungicide-and-rodenticide-act

Report violations of FIFRA and other regulations online: https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/report-environmental-violations

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