Sheer Scarves Recalled by Importers

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

September 6, 1995

(301) 504-7908

Release # 95-162

 

CPSC And Importers Announce Recall Of Dangerously Flammable Imported Sheer Scarves

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and 17 importers announced today the stop sale and recall of 375,000 dangerously flammable sheer rayon scarves. This is the largest clothing recall CPSC has ever conducted under the Flammable Fabrics Act. The sale of these scarves violates the federal Flammable Fabrics Act and the scarves present a serious risk of burn injuries. In fact, these scarves typically burn faster than newspaper.

The scarves, which were made in India and sold nationwide, are long, flowing, sheer rayon chiffon scarves. The scarves, sold for between $2 and $28 at nearly 2,000 large chain stores and small boutiques nationwide, including those listed in this release. The majority of the scarves bear the "Fashionique II" label, although not all rayon scarves with this label are violative of the law. All of the violative scarves are labeled "Made in India" and "100 percent rayon" or "65 percent rayon/35 percent metallic."

CPSC is working with a number of importers and retailers to recall these scarves. In addition, where appropriate, CPSC staff will seek penalties against importers or retailers who knowingly violated the Flammable Fabrics Act. Although CPSC has not received any reports of injuries from these scarves to date, the agency is issuing this safety notice and recalling the scarves to prevent injuries from these dangerous products.

CPSC urges consumers to immediately stop wearing scarves they believe may be involved in this recall. These flammable, sheer, rayon chiffon scarves should be returned to the retailers where they were purchased. Retailers taking part in this recall will provide a refund, credit or information on returning the scarf for a replacement.

Any sheer, rayon chiffon scarf with the following description and general label information may be involved in this recall:

General Label Information:

This label represents the majority of the scarves involved in the recall.

Description:

The following brand names also appear on scarves that failed CPSC's flammability tests:

Scarves without brand names can be identified by labels with the following RN numbers:

There may be scarves with the brand names and RN numbers listed here that are not violative. Retailers should be able to tell whether an individual sheer rayon chiffon scarf is violative based on the style numbers they have. The retailers listed below sold the largest number of scarves involved in this nationwide recall:

Numerous other retailers are also participating in this recall. Consumers who have questions can call the CPSC toll-free hotline at (800) 638-2772.

The following importers have voluntarily agreed to recall the scarves from consumers and will issue recall information through the retailers who sold the products: