Health Notice
Used, or 2nd Hand mattresses are being sold throughout
the country as new beds. Please be advised of the laws governing your health, safety, and well being when it pertains
to the sale of used beds in the state of Arkansas.
New beds will have and are clearly labeled with a "manufacturer's
law" tag stating the date of manufacture, and that the bed was built with new materials. The label will also list
the manufacturer's name and address.
Used, or 2nd hand bedding, may or may not still have this original tag on the
bed. If you are not the original purchaser of the bed, this label must be amended. A new tag must be affixed to
the mattress, and must be at least 2 inches by 3 inches and labeled "second hand". This mattress can be sold
as "used" as is, with no manufacturer’s warranty.
If the bed was renovated, cleaned, or sanitized, the label
must also clearly list the location that the bed was sanitized at, the date it was sanitized and cleaned, and it must list
the process used to sterilize and disinfect the mattress. This process must be approved by the State Health Commissioner
of Arkansas.
No term or description used to mislead can be used on any label required by this State Act.
No person shall sell, offer for sale, deliver, consign for sale, or have in his or her possession with intent to sell, offer
for sale, deliver, or consign for sale any article of bedding unless the mattress is labeled as mentioned in the above act.
Any
person, firm, or corporation who shall fail to comply with any of the provisions of this Act, shall be guilty of a violation
of this Act, and each and every mattress manufactured, remade, or renovated, sold, offered for sale, delivered, consigned
or possessed with an intent to sell, offer for sale, or consign contrary to the provisions of this Act, shall be deemed a
separate offense. Id. Section 14. Every Person found guilty of a
violation of the provisions of this Act will be subject to a fine of not less than twenty five ($25.00) dollars, nor more
than two hundred fifty ($250.00) dollars, or not less than thirty (30) days, nor more than ninety (90) days in prison, or
both, as the court may deem proper. Id. Section 14.
Please contact the Arkansas State Health Department and the Attorney Generals office if you are
aware of offenses to this State Act.
Arkansas State
Health Department: (800) 462-0599, (501)661-2000
Arkansas Attorney Generals office: (800) 482-8982, (501) 682-2341
