T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and 12 other companies have agreed to pay a total of more than $1 million in civil penalties for failure to report safety hazards promptly, government officials announced Tuesday.
The companies were penalized for failing to promptly report sales of children's clothing with drawstrings through the hood or neck, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said.
These drawstrings can get caught in nearby objects and cause children to get trapped or strangled.
"My message to children's clothing makers and sellers is clear: Drawstrings on children's garments put children at risk," said acting CPSC chairwoman Nancy Nord. "CPSC will continue to search for and take action against drawstring violators."
In May 2006, the commission announced that children's jackets and sweatshirts would be considered defective if they had hood and neck drawstrings. The agency says the 14 companies failed to comply with a federal law that requires them to immediately report defective products.
The companies deny knowingly violating the law.
T.J. Maxx and Marshalls share a parent company, The TJX Companies, Inc. But two separate settlements were negotiated — one with TJX for $315,000 and one with Marshalls of MA Inc. for $235,000.
The other companies included in the agreement are:
_ Concord Buying Group Inc., doing business as A.J. Wright
_ Bob's Stores Corp.
_ Kidz World Inc., doing business as High Energy USA
_ Coolibar, Inc.
_ Brents-Riordan Co., LLC
_ Forman Mills, Inc.
_ Urgent Gear, Inc.
_ Seventy Two Inc.
_ Orioxi International Corp.
_ Outfitter Trading Co., LLC
_ Retco Inc.
Copyright 2009 AP News
