Fourteen Firms Agree to Pay More than $1 Million in Civil Penalties for Failing to Report Drawstrings in Children’s Outerwear

Posted: 16 Apr 2009 09:26 AM IST

April 7, 2009, WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that 14 firms have agreed to pay a total of $1,055,000 in civil penalties.

The penalties settle allegations that the firms knowingly failed to report to the CPSC immediately, as required by federal law, that children’s hooded sweatshirts or jackets they sold had drawstrings at the hood and/or neck. Children’s upper outerwear with drawstrings, including sweatshirts or jackets, pose a strangulation hazard that can cause death to children.

The garments were eventually recalled as appropriate. The settlements have been provisionally accepted by the Commission.

CPSC has ordered the following firms to pay civil penalties to the U.S. Treasury:


The TJX Companies Inc., d/b/a T.J. Maxx, of Framingham, Mass.

Marshalls of MA Inc., of Framingham, Mass.

Concord Buying Group Inc., d/b/a A.J. Wright, of Framingham, Mass.

Bob’s Stores Corp., of Meriden, Conn.

Kidz World Inc., d/b/a High Energy USA, of New York City, N.Y.

The Bon-Ton Stores Inc., of York, Pa.

Coolibar Inc., of St. Louis Park, Minn.

Brents-Riordan Co. LLC, of Shreveport, La.

Forman Mills Inc., of Pennsauken, N.J.

Urgent Gear Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif.

Seventy Two Inc., of La Puenta, Calif.

Orioxi International Corp., of Brea, Calif.

Outfitter Trading Co. LLC, of Littleton, Colo.

Retco Inc., of Breckenridge, Colo.