The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Crawford Textile Corp., of Greensboro, N.C., has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $150,000. The penalty settles allegations that the firm sold highly flammable fabric to a garment manufacturer, a violation of the Federal Flammable Fabrics Act, and also did not report the sale of the flammable material to the CPSC, as required by the Consumer Product Safety Act.
In September 1998, Crawford manufactured approximately 22,570 yards of weathered blue sherpa fabric, which it sold to Milano Express Inc., a garment manufacturer. After shipping the fabric, Crawford received test reports showing that six out of 23 lots failed federal flammability requirements. The fabric was dangerously flammable, and unsuitable to be made into clothing because of its rapid and intense burning. After receiving this information, Crawford did not notify CPSC and Milano. As a result, Milano distributed between 3,300 and 4,000 sweatshirts made with flammable fabric.
The fabric was made into women's blue, berber tunic pullover sweatshirts. A tag in the collar reads, "Authenic E.N.U.F. international," "EST. 1987," and "MADE IN U.S.A."
Costco stores nationwide sold these sweatshirts from October 1998 through April 1999 for about $17. Direct notice was sent to consumers by Costco. In agreeing to settle this matter, Crawford Textile Corp. denies that it violated the Flammable Fabrics Act and the Consumer Product Safety Act.
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
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