Grace International Apparel sweatshirts

CPSC Recall #81-015 - April 14, 1981

Recall Summary

Recall Number81-015
Recall DateApril 14, 1981
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 40,000
ImporterGrace International Apparel, Inc., of New York City
Manufactured InChina

Product

Grace International Apparel sweatshirts

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 15) -- About 40,000 recreational sweatshirts made in China and distributed nationally by a New York importer are being recalled because they fail to meet federal flammability standards. The recall is being conducted by the importer, Grace International Apparel, Inc., of New York City, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The garments were distributed between June and October, 1980. Each sweatshirt was manufactured with a snapped inner surface, a hood, a zipper and a drawstring; tests showed that the inner surfaces of the sweatshirts are too flammable. A label sewn into each sweatshirt reads "Made in the People's Republic of China CA VA." A second label also is attached to each sweatshirt which reads "CA VA *** A product of G.I.A.I., 350 Fifth Ave." The garments were distributed throughout the United States through 20 direct consignees based in California, Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. One of these was a large New York City-based chain of stores, Korvettes, which no longer is in business. Consumers are being advised to return the garments to the store from which they purchased them to obtain full refunds. In the case of sweatshirts purchased from Korvettes, consumers should mail them directly to Grace International Apparel, Inc., Room 7401, Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York, 10001. The company has agreed to refund the purchase price ($5.99) plus any appropriate shipping charges.

Hazard

About 40,000 recreational sweatshirts made in China and distributed nationally by a New York importer are being recalled because they fail to meet federal flammability standards.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers are being advised to return the garments to the store from which they purchased them to obtain full refunds. In the case of sweatshirts purchased from Korvettes (which is no longer is business), consumers should mail them directly to Grace International Apparel, Inc., Room 7401, Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York, 10001. The company has agreed to refund the purchase price ($5.99) plus any appropriate shipping charges.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.