CPSC Accepts Provisional Consent Agreement With Continental Industries, Sale Creek, Tennessee

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 3) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced it has provisionally accepted a consent agreement prohibiting Continental Industries, Inc., doing business as Modulon Carpets, Sale Creek, Tennessee, and E. M. Hicks, individually and as an officer of the corporation from manufacturing or selling any carpets or rugs which fail to meet the requirements of the Flammable Fabrics Act.

Specifically the Commission found that Continental Industries' carpet style "Galveston Bay" did not meet the Standard for the Surface Flammability of Carpets and Rugs (DOC FF l-70).

According to a Commission spokesperson, 197 rolls of "Galveston Bay" were manufactured and sold to Montgomery Ward for distribution to its Chicago-area retail stores in the fall of 1972. The carpeting is a nylon pile with a foam back and comes in a variety of colors.

Continental Industries, as part of the provisional agreement is to notify all customers who have purchased or to whom have been delivered "Galveston Bay" of its flammability and that it may be returned to the manufacturer to be reworked or destroyed. Persons who may have this carpeting are advised to contact the place of business from which it was purchased for recall information.

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

The Standard for the Surface Flammability of Carpets and Rugs went into effect April 16, 1971, and applies to all types of carpets and rugs used as floor covering materials regardless of their method of fabrication or the types of fibers used. Antique, oriental or hide carpeting may be excluded from this particular testing procedure pursuant to conditions established by CPSC.

The complaint and consent agreement will remain on the public record for 60 days through May 3, 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 agreement, contact the Bureau of Compliance, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C.20207.