Throughout this process there have been many misconceptions about the provisions of the original Sleepwear Standards and about the changes the Commission has made to them. The staff has done an excellent job of analyzing and responding to the public comments and in presenting their recommendations. I would particularly like to thank Margaret Neily, the current project manager. And Terry Karels who was the project manager during the original amendment process upon which much of today's decision still rests. There are a few issues staff addressed in their most recent briefing package to the Commission that I think are worth reiterating.
Some people think that there are no longer any sleepwear standards.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Those styles of sleepwear will not disappear. Many people think that prior to the Commission's changes in 1996, most sleepwear garment were treated with chemicals to make them flame retardant. Again, this is not true. Less than one percent of either polyester or cotton sleepwear garments are treated with flame retardant chemicals.