Based on serious violations of a January 2000 court order to stop buying or selling banned fireworks, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Department of Justice have taken action against an Ohio fireworks company, in which it will forfeit profits.
Midwest Fireworks Manufacturing Co. Inc., of Deerfield, Ohio, has agreed to turn over $30,000 in profits to the federal government, after a CPSC and DOJ investigation found that the company was selling illegal consumer fireworks. This action directly violated a permanent injunction issued in January 2000 by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
"The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission keeps a close eye on companies we have taken enforcement action against. We will not allow a company to breach the rule of law and then profit from putting the public in harm's way," said Commission Chairman Hal Stratton.
The agreement between the government and Midwest Fireworks and its president Larry Lomaz also calls for future shipments of fireworks to be tested by the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory prior to importation. AFSL's standards incorporate the performance and labeling requirements of CPSC as well as transportation, shipping, and storage regulations established by the Department of Transportation.
Additionally, Midwest Fireworks is required to inform the Commission of all its imports of fireworks devices.
The Department of Justice's Office of Consumer Litigation handled the earlier and current injunctive litigation.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
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