Major Retailers to Pay $500,000 in Civil Penalties
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) announced today that One Price Clothing
Stores Inc., Dots Inc., Ross Stores Inc. and The Limited
Inc. have agreed to pay a total of $500,000 in civil
penalties to settle allegations that they violated
the federal Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA). One Price and Dots
each paid civil penalties of $50,000, Ross paid a civil
penalty of $200,000 and The Limited will pay a civil penalty
of $200,000 for selling highly flammable wearing apparel
presenting a serious risk of burn injuries to consumers in
violation of the FFA.
"The Commission staff believes that increased industry
awareness and testing will lead to safer garments," said
CPSC Compliance Director Alan Schoem. "CPSC is working with
the industry on a voluntary compliance testing program to
help avoid future violations."
CPSC alleges that One Price of Duncan, S.C., in 1994,
sold or offered for sale 18,200 rayon skirts that were
highly flammable; and, in 1995, sold or offered for sale
6,000 rayon scarves that were highly flammable.
CPSC alleges that Dots of Solon, Ohio, in 1994, sold or
offered for sale 4,788 rayon skirts that were highly
flammable; and, in 1995 and 1996, sold or offered for sale
29,107 fleece shirts that were highly flammable.
CPSC alleges that Ross Stores of Newark, Calif., in
1994, sold or offered for sale 2,700 rayon skirts that were
highly flammable; in 1994 and 1995, sold or offered for sale
16,000 rayon scarves that were highly flammable; and, in
1995 and 1996, sold or offered for sale 29,700 fleece shirts
that were highly flammable.
CPSC alleges that The Limited of Columbus, Ohio, in
1994, sold or offered for sale 1,173 fleece shirts and pants
that were highly flammable; in 1994 and 1995, sold or
offered for sale three Italian sweaters that were highly
flammable; in 1996, imported, sold or offered for sale
19,024 chenille sweaters that were highly flammable; and,
again in 1996, imported, sold or offered for sale another
7,000 chenille sweaters that were highly flammable.
One Price recalled the skirts in 1994 and the scarves
in 1995. Dots recalled the skirts in 1994 and the shirts in
1996. Ross Stores recalled the skirts in 1994, the scarves
in 1995 and the shirts in 1997. The Limited recalled the
shirts and pants in 1994, the Italian sweaters in 1995 and
the chenille sweaters in 1996.
In agreeing to pay the civil penalties, the retailers
denied that they knowingly violated the FFA.