Recall of fire-risk clothes?

Press, 24 July 1987, Page 1

Recall of fire-risk clothes?

PA Wellington The Minister of Consumer Affairs, Mrs Shields, says she is prepared to force a compulsory recall of highly flammable children’s night clothes on sale in New Zealand shops.

Suppliers who had sold children’s night clothes that did not meet the required standard should clearly identify them in the news media, recall them, and give consumers a refund or replacement “If satisfactory action is not taken by suppliers, I will not hesitate to use the powers available to me under the Fair Trading Act to require a compulsory product recall," she said. Companies who failed to comply with product safety standards were liable to a fine of up to $lOO,OOO. According to the standards, garments of pure untreated cotton were only safe for children aged from one to 14 if they were in a pyjama of other close-fitting style. A traditional night-dress made of pure cotton would be considered a fire risk. Garments which appeared not to comply had been withdrawn from sale in a number of stores.