TJX, Others Settle Federal Safety Allegations

TJX Cos. has agreed to pay $150,000 to settle allegations by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission that it violated the Flammable Fabrics Act by selling flammable rayon skirts and scarves. The commission had alleged that the Framingham, Mass.-based operator of the T.J. Maxx and Marshalls chains had sold 17,000 sheer chiffon rayon skirts in 1994 and 17,000 sheer chiffon rayon scarves in 1995 that were highly flammable. In other actions, the commission reported that Limited Inc., Ross Stores Inc., One Price Clothing Stores Inc. and Dots Inc. agreed to pay a total of $500,000 in civil penalties to settle Consumer Product Safety Commission charges that the retailers sold highly flammable apparel that posed a serious risk of burn injuries. The retailers denied that they knowingly violated the federal safety act.