Lumber Liquidators Halts Sales of Chinese-Made Laminate Flooring

Toana, VA, May 7, 2015—Lumber Liquidators is halting sales of its Chinese-made laminate flooring with immediate effect.

The directive to pull the product went out to the company's 356 stores on May 6.

The move comes close on the heels of news that the company is facing possible criminal charges from the U.S. Department of Justice related to some imported flooring products.

In addition, the Wall Street Journal reports that the company has brought in Freeh Group International Solutions LLC, founded by former FBI director and federal judge Louis J. Freeh, to help in reviewing its sourcing and compliance policies.

Lumber Liquidators also released initial results of an analysis of about 3,400 kits it sent out to customers to test indoor air formaldehyde levels.

The company said results showed over 97% of households had indoor air concentrations of formaldehyde that were within World Health Organization guidelines. The company noted that formaldehyde levels can be affected by several factors, including cigarette smoke and emissions from wood-burning fireplaces.

Lumber Liquidators reports that it is aware of 103 pending class action lawsuits related to its Chinese-made laminate flooring.