A consent decree filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia requires The Home Depot to pay $20 million to resolve charges of improper handling of lead paint by contractors of the Atlanta-based do-it-yourself retailer.

“These were serious violations. The stiff penalty Home Depot will pay reflects the importance of using certified firms and contractors in older home renovations,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jonathan D. Brightbill of the U.S. Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division in a written statement Thursday. “Contractors hired for most work in homes built prior to 1978, when lead based paint was in widespread use, must be certified. These contractors have the training to recognize and prevent the hazards that can be created when lead paint is disturbed.”