Having mattress tags is very important, however, the law states that it is illegal to remove these tags. This is because they are used to protect your mattress from being damaged, and they help prevent theft.
The Importance of Mattress Tags
Whether you are a consumer or a business owner, it is important to understand the importance of mattress tags. They serve a number of important purposes, from protecting the consumer to ensuring that the mattress is delivered clean and in good condition. Moreover, removing the tag could make the mattress return process more challenging.
The government was worried about the sale of used hospital mattresses, which could contain dangerous communicable diseases. They also had concerns about manufacturers of shoddy mattresses contributing to fires following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Hence, they required that manufacturers attach a law tag to new upholstered furniture.
The government deemed it prudent to include a simple notice on the law tag indicating that the tag was not to be removed under penalty of law. It was also interesting to note that the government was not just targeting manufacturers, but also retailers who sold mattresses to consumers.
It should be noted that not all states have mattress tagging laws. Some states have repealed their mattress tagging laws, while others have left it up to the individual state to decide whether or not to enforce the law. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the entity that handles consumer protection issues for mattresses, pillows, and other bedding products. It can impose administrative fines on retailers for selling mattresses without the law tag, but it does not appear that this is a widespread practice.
The best part is that mattress tags provide rich, detailed information about the mattress. This includes the materials and ingredients used in its construction, as well as its manufacture and date of manufacture. This information helps you determine what type of mattress you are purchasing. It also helps you determine the warranty coverage and return policy of the product. The tags are also a good source of information for sanitation workers, who will be cleaning the mattress before it is delivered to your doorstep.
The law tag is also considered a good indicator of the state of the mattress industry. While not every state has mattress tagging laws, the FTC advises states to enact reasonable laws to protect the consumers, as well as the sleep products industry as a whole.
Reasons Why It is Illegal to Remove Mattress Tags
Whether you are a consumer, a manufacturer, or a retailer, there are a few reasons why it is illegal to remove mattress tags. These tags are meant to be an important safety measure and are a way to provide accurate information about the materials used in a mattress.
The first and most obvious reason why it is illegal to remove mattress tags is that the tag contains important information. The tag informs consumers of the materials used in making a mattress and assures them that the product is new. It also helps steer consumers away from dangerous materials.
The government first required mattress manufacturers to affix tags to their mattresses in the early twentieth century. This act was designed to protect consumers from purchasing used mattresses. At the time, unscrupulous businessmen were taking advantage of customers. They would reuse old materials, such as cotton and horse hair, to make their mattresses. These materials, which contained bacteria and bed bugs, were not good for a consumer’s health.
As time passed, manufacturers found ways around the law. Some companies stuffed mattresses with materials that were not sanitary, such as newspaper and corn husks. They also tried to take advantage of consumers by stuffing mattresses with cheap materials, such as horse hair.
Eventually, mattress manufacturers and retailers started tearing off tags before shipping the products. This shortened the sales process and made consumers nervous. Fortunately, the government caught on and forced manufacturers to affix a tag to their mattresses.
The government first issued a notice to manufacturers, retailers, and consumers stating that removing the tag was a punishable offense. They also changed the warning on the tag from the ominous one to a more ambiguous one.
As a result, consumers began to wonder if the tag was really an effective warning. This led to a lot of confusion.
In the late twentieth century, consumer safety advocates found a way to make the tag more effective. They changed the slogan on the tag to “Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law Except by Consumer.” These tags are now on most mattresses, and are meant to protect the mattress seller from liability.
What Happens If I Remove My Mattress Tag?
During the early 20th century, when the consumer protection boom was in full swing, mattress tags were developed. These tags were meant to protect consumers by informing them about the materials used in the production of the mattress. They also warned consumers against materials that may be unsafe.
Mattress tags were initially written in legal language that was confusing to many consumers. For instance, a mattress tag stated that removing the tag “under penalty of law” was not allowed. The government also required that mattress manufacturers affix the tag before shipping the mattress.
During the early 1990s, mattress tags were updated to say “Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law Except by Consumer.” This added a legal warning to the tag, which informed consumers that tearing off the tag was a crime.
The government originally directed the warning to mattress manufacturers. However, this law tag also has information that is helpful to consumers. It can tell them what is inside the product, as well as provide a way for them to register the product.
The tag also gives consumers assurances about the material used in the product. For example, a tag can say “new material only” or “new material only – no used materials.” This allows consumers to avoid products that contain questionable materials, like dust mites or harmful chemicals. It can also help consumers find similar products.
The tag can also be a legal document, which can help them if they decide to file a warranty claim. Tags can contain the product’s name, serial number, and warranty information.
If the manufacturer refuses to affix the law tag, a consumer can file a citation with the manufacturer and receive a fine. A penalty varies by state, but can be as high as $1,000.
Mattress manufacturers and sellers should take this law seriously. If a consumer discovers a mattress without a tag, they should report it to the manufacturer. They should also take care to store the tag in a safe place, along with the warranty information.
Although tearing off a mattress tag may seem like a silly thing to do, it is still a crime. The punishment for tearing off a mattress tag varies by state.
Are Mattress Tags Safe?
Historically, mattress tags were created to protect consumers from the unsafe and unsanitary bedding of the early twentieth century. Mattress manufacturers, however, were using unsanitary materials and manufacturing mattresses that could contribute to fires. The government began requiring mattress manufacturers to reveal the materials used in the construction of their mattresses. Unfortunately, many mattress manufacturers lied about the contents of their mattresses and did not disclose the risks involved in the use of these materials.
As a result, some states have enacted mattress tagging laws to protect consumers from unsafe and unsanitary bedding. These laws also require mattress manufacturers to attach these labels to new mattresses. In addition, these labels must inform consumers about the filling material used in a mattress. In order to comply with these laws, mattress manufacturers must make sure their labels are permanent and have no linear dimension less than five inches.
Some states also require that a law tag be attached to mattresses that are made with recycled components. Depending on the state, this law may also prohibit the use of recycled materials in the construction of new mattresses. These laws are designed to protect consumers from unsafe and unsanitary bedding, as well as help promote proper mattress recycling.
If you are concerned about the safety of mattress tags, you should contact the Bureau of Home Furnishings in your state. This agency was established to regulate the mattress industry in California and has expanded its jurisdiction to include home furnishing products. The Bureau is also concerned about illegal mattress renovations, and supports proper mattress recycling. As a result, they encourage states to enact reasonable mattress tagging laws that will benefit consumers and protect the sleep products industry.
Some states also have mattress tagging laws that are aimed at retailers and manufacturers. These laws require that a law tag be attached to all new mattresses and bedding products. The law tag should include the finished size, the weight of the filling material, and the Federal flammability label.