The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice have reached a settlement with Fayat S.A.S. and nine subsidiaries for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act. The allegations state that between 2014 and 2018, Fayat imported and sold nonroad equipment with diesel engines that did not meet emission standards.

The complaint claims Fayat failed to adhere to labeling and reporting requirements under the Clean Air Act. As part of the settlement, Fayat will pay an $11 million civil penalty and undertake a project aimed at reducing emissions from nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

"Fayat’s import of nonroad vehicles with outdated diesel engines violates the Clean Air Act standards for emissions from mobile sources," said Acting Assistant Administrator Cecil Rodrigues from EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "Today’s announcement demonstrates that EPA will hold accountable companies that put outdated equipment into commerce."

Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division commented, "Fayat failed to ensure that the equipment it introduced into the United States market complied with Clean Air Act requirements designed to protect public health." He added, "We will not tolerate violations of Clean Air Act standards."

As part of their obligations, Fayat will retrofit a tugboat in Mobile, Alabama. This involves removing old engines and generators, replacing them with new ones compliant with current emission controls.

The proposed consent decree has been lodged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. It awaits public comment before final court approval. Further information is available on the Justice Department's Proposed Consent Decree webpage.