EHS Today
  • Magazine Subscription
  • ENewsletters
  • EHS Education
  • Safety Leadership Conference
  • America's Safest Companies
    • Search
  • EHS Today Intelligence
  • Safety
  • Health
  • Environment
  • Standards
  • Safety Technology
  • Training & Engagement
  • Leadership
  • Topics
    EHS IntelligenceEnvironmentHealthSafetyLeadershipStandardsConstructionPPESafety TechnologyTraining & EngagementEmergency ManagementCOVID-19 CrisisIndustrial Hygiene
    Resources
    Member BenefitsSafety Leadership ConferenceEHS EducationAmerica's Safest Companies AwardsWebinarsWhite PapersWorkplace Safety AcademyMagazine SubscriptioneNewsletter SubscriptionLatest HeadlinesContact UsAdvertisePress ReleasesPrivacy & Cookie PolicyTerms of Service
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/EHS-Today/66542218626?ref=ts
    https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4355311
    https://twitter.com/EHSToday
    ID 177888733 © Kilmermedia Dreamstime.com
    3 M N95 Respirator Mask Stockpile Id 177888733 Kilmermedia Dreamstime 5e909d0f0f80d
    1. PPE

    3M Files First Price-Gouging Lawsuit Against Mask Distributor

    April 13, 2020
    The manufacturing conglomerate says lawsuits are only one tool it's using to combat fraud and illegal pricing behavior for N95 respirators.
    EHS Today Staff

    3M, the manufacturing conglomerate behind Sticky Notes and N95 respirator masks, has filed a lawsuit in New York federal court alleging that Performance Supply LLC is price gouging customers of 3M products and engaging in deceptive trade practices.

    In a statement, the Minnesota-based hygiene and office goods company alleged that Performance Supply made false claims about a business association with 3M and attempted to sell $45 million worth of N95 respirators to New York City officials for up to 600% 3M’s list price for the masks. 3M seeks an injunction against the defendant and says that any damages recovered from the case will be donated to “COVID-19 related nonprofit organizations.”

    Insufficient supply for the mask relative to demand has driven bad actors to take advantage of the situation by defrauding consumers and city officials desperate to get their hands on the protective equipment. 3M says it has received reports of people falsely claiming to manufacture 3M products, falsely claiming business associations, and selling 3M products at “grossly inflated prices.”

    While the lawsuit is the first announced by 3M to address fraudulent behavior, 3M says that they are taking several steps to address fraud and price-gouging. Denise Rutherford, Senior VP of Corporate Affairs at 3M, said lawsuits were “only one of many legal tools 3M is using to protect the public.”

    On March 31, Mike Roman, CEO of 3M, said in a statement his company was working with law enforcement and retailers around the world in order to identify and remove sellers of counterfeit or price-gouged 3M goods from internet marketplaces.

    “3M will take decisive action against those seeking to take illegal and unethical advantage of the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Roman, adding that 3M was working with U.S. federal, state and local authorities on the matter.

    3M advises that any customers of 3M goods should only purchase them in the original packaging. Products or packaging with notable defects like missing straps, “strange odors,” malfunctioning valves or misspelled words may be counterfeit. Customers with concerns about potentially fraudulent activity, price gouging, or counterfeit 3M products can report their concerns on 3M’s website.

    Continue Reading

    5 Social Disclosure Trends That Companies Must Understand

    Long Covid is Showing Up in Medical Claims

    Sponsored Recommendations

    Is Your Safety Program Effective? 10 Questions Every Safety Leader Should Ask

    Nov. 7, 2023

    Purposeful Presence: How Leaders Show Up to Amp Up Performance

    Nov. 7, 2023

    The Truth and Challenges of Cultivating Chronic Unease

    Nov. 7, 2023

    Autopsy of an Injury Uncovering 18 Million Exposures in One Activity

    Nov. 7, 2023

    Voice your opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!

    I already have an account

    New

    Suicide Rates Hit Highest Level Ever in 2022

    OSHA Forms Alliance to Better Protect Crane Operators

    OSHA Violations, Citations and Inspections: What You’re Reading in November 2023

    Most Read

    So You Think You Know a Lot about OSHA? (Quiz)

    Ergonomic Risk Assessment: Quick Exposure Check

    OSHA’s First Aid Requirements: FAQs – Answered!


    Sponsored

    Employee Engagement Checklist for Safety

    Light the Fire Within: How to Build Stronger Employee Engagement for Safety

    Which Change Management Model Is the Best for Your Organization?

    EHS Today
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/EHS-Today/66542218626?ref=ts
    https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4355311
    https://twitter.com/EHSToday
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Do Not Sell or Share
    • Privacy & Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Service
    © 2023 Endeavor Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
    Endeavor Business Media Logo