Gree Fined $91.2 Million for Selling Defective Dehumidifiers in U.S., Saying Problem Occurred Eight Years Ago

Chinese appliance manufacturer Gree replied on Sunday to recent reports of being handed an administrative fine of $91.2 million by U.S. authorities for selling defective dehumidifiers in the country. Gree said that the related issues happened eight years ago and never again since 2013.

Gree said in its announcement that it recently reached an agreement with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Department of Justice (DOJ). The products involved in the agreement are dehumidifiers produced by the company from 2005 to 2012 and exported to North America.

Gree received an accident complaint in 2012 and reported it to the CPSC in June 2013. Due to the untimely declaration, Gree and CPSC reached a civil settlement in 2016, with the former paying $15.45 million.

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In 2017, Gree made an agreement with DOJ after several discussions and agreed to pay $75.75 million. The DOJ vowed to end the case in three years if Gree followed the agreement, according to the announcement.

Gree said that all penalties have been paid, and that they will not affect the company’s operations or 2021 financial report.