CPSC Provisionally Accepts Consent Agreement With May Department Stores Company, Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 19) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today it has provisionally accepted a consent agreement with the May Department Stores Company and Arthur Emma individually and as an officer of the corporation.

The consenting parties are ordered to notify all customers who may have purchased cotton sportswear tops in G. Fox and Co., a retail division of the May Company, distributed by Michael Miles/Peter Sinclair in styles MP 408, MP 409, MP 410, MP 425, MP 426, and MP 454, that the garments do not comply with the Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles (CS 191-53) and may be dangerously flammable.

The recall involves adult unisex shirts which were sold during the late summer and fall of 1974. The garments, described as cotton pullovers in a variety of styles, colors and designs retailed for $14 - $16. The G. Fox stores which carried these tops are all located in the Hartford, Connecticut area. Consumers who think they may have any of these garments should return them to the G. Fox store where purchased.

Under the terms of the provisional consent agreement the consenting parties will be posting signs in each of the G. Fox Company stores which carried the sportswear tops advising consumers of the recall. In addition the stores will enclose in the monthly billing statements to charge account customers an illustration of the garments being recalled accompanied by a warning as to the potential flammability hazard. This same information will be included in newspaper advertisements having the greatest circulation for each store location. The consenting parties have the option of either replacing the non-complying garments with those in compliance or refunding the purchase price.

This agreement is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by the company that it has violated the law. Any violation of this consent agreement by the respondents could result in the assessment of substantial civil penalties.

The complaint and consent order will remain on the public record for 60 days through July 18, 1976 during which time any interested person may submit comments to the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207.

After considering any comments, the Commission may accept the agreement or withdraw its provisional acceptance.

For additional information about this consent order, contact the Bureau of Compliance, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207.