On September 28 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice announced that Global Compact participant Merck & Co. has agreed to pay a USD 1.5 million civil penalty to settle alleged violations of federal environmental laws at its pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in Riverside and West Point, Pennsylvania, U.S.
The complaint alleges that Merck did not comply with Clean Air Act emissions reporting and recordkeeping requirements. The complaint also asserts that Merck discharged pollutants in excess of limits in its Clean Water Act permit; failed to notify local officials of hazardous substances released; and failed to properly label and store hazardous waste.
Read more.
from U.S. EPA
This blog provides information on how U.N. Global Compact participants' walk the talk. The GC is a voluntary initiative at the strategic level to engage businesses towards sustainability principles. There is however a risk of 'blue-washing' by covering up corporate misbehaviour and law infringement from large MNEs through poorly enforced 'Integrity Measures' and weak U.N supervision. Let's 'WE', civil society stay tuned!
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