On February 15, 2005, Region 5 issued an agreed compliance order under Section 3008(h) of RCRA to Henkel Surface Technologies Division of Henkel Corporation (HST) at the site of its former facility in Morenci, Michigan. The purposes of the Order are to ensure that the risks from the previous releases of hazardous wastes at or near the facility are known and understood, and to mitigate any potential threats to human health or the environment.
The issuance of the Order culminates a long process of investigation and negotiation by the Region over more than 5 years. The matter was referred for enforcement after HST did not agree to the terms of a voluntary agreement being offered by the Region, for which negotiations broke off in 2001.