International Association of Bedding and Furniture Law Officials (IABFLO)
Model Law and Regulations for Bedding and Upholstered Furniture
IABFLO Model Law
White vs Yellow Mattress Law Label Differences
Explains statutory differences between white tags (100% new material) and yellow tags (sanitized secondhand bedding).
White Tag = 100% New
Direct answer summary
A white mattress law label certifies that the product contains 100% brand-new, virgin materials that have never been previously used in any consumer product. In contrast, a yellow law label signifies secondhand, renovated, rebuilt, or sanitized bedding containing previously used materials. Under state sanitary bedding laws, retailers who sell yellow-tagged mattresses as new commit deceptive trade practices subject to statutory civil penalties.
Key points
White label certifies all internal materials are 100% new, unused, and virgin.
Yellow label indicates the mattress has been renovated, sanitized, or rebuilt from used cores.
Selling a yellow-tagged secondhand mattress as new violates federal and state consumer protection laws.
Interactive example
Explore an example related to this answer.
Verified Law Label
Interactive Visual Tool
Law Label & Material Audit
Inspect the physical law label tag, decode the state Uniform Registry Number (URN), and review certified material percentages under CPSC 16 CFR Part 1633.
What the law tag tells you
Uniform Law Label & Material Deconstruction
Under FTC 16 CFR Part 303 and IABFLO uniform law label standards, bedding manufacturers must disclose exact net filling weights using standardized generic fiber terms. Marketing buzzwords are prohibited under federal penalty.
▲ Sewn Into Seam (Tyvek Substrate) ▲
UNDER PENALTY OF LAW THIS TAG NOT TO BE REMOVED EXCEPT BY THE CONSUMER
SECONDHAND MATERIAL - CONTENTS SANITIZED
STERILIZED SECONDHAND COTTON BATTING50%
REBONDED POLYURETHANE FOAM SCRAP35%
RAYON BARRIER FABRIC15%
Net Filling Weight (Excluding Steel Springs)
Uniform Registry Number (Click to decode)
REG. NO. OH-883421 (OH)
Certification is made by the manufacturer that the materials in this article are described in accordance with law.
Manufacture Date:11/2025
Plant Facility:Cleveland, OH Sanitization Facility
Legal Entity:Midwest Bedding Renovators Inc.
16 CFR Part 1633 Prototype: REN-2024-SAN-01Inspect →
Physical Tag Dimensions: 2.75" × 4" (Meets IABFLO 2.5" × 3.0" min)
What the tag number means
REG. NO. OH-883421 (OH)
Issuing State
OH (Ohio)
Registry Sequence
#883421
Plant Location
OH (Ohio)
IABFLO 31-State Reciprocity: The issuing state (OH) participates in the Uniform Law Label system. This single registration permits lawful commercial distribution across all 31 regulated US bedding jurisdictions without duplicate state tags.
Specifications
Recorded specifications
Values and benchmarks recorded for this question.
| Specification | Measured value | Benchmark | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Tag Classification | ALL NEW MATERIAL CONSISTING OF... | Virgin Material Guarantee | pass |
| Yellow Tag Classification | SECONDHAND / RENOVATED / SANITIZED | Used Core Material Disclosure | warning |
| Red Tag Classification | QUARANTINED / SEIZED / NON-COMPLIANT | Illegal / Hazard Condemnation | warning |
| State Sanitary Law Authority | Texas Ch. 372, California SB 254 | Mandatory Sanitary Compliance | pass |
Standards reference: Benchmarks derived from ASTM D3574 (flexible cellular foam), CPSC 16 CFR 1633 (open flame flammability), and clinical capillary closing thresholds (32.0 mmHg).
Checklist
Consumer Safety & Chemical Verification Protocol
Step-by-step physical inspection procedure for flame barrier integrity and law label compliance.
- 01
Check Tag Background Color
Inspect the background color of the permanent law tag on any mattress you purchase.
Watch for: NEVER ACCEPT A MATTRESS WITH A YELLOW OR RED LAW TAG WHEN BUYING NEW.
- 02
Verify Header Statement
Confirm the text states 'ALL NEW MATERIAL' rather than 'SECONDHAND SANITIZED'.
Watch for: Do not let delivery drivers leave before inspecting the law tag.
- 03
Report Fraudulent Retailers
File a report with your state Attorney General if sold a yellow-tag mattress as new.
Watch for: Never sleep on an unverified sanitized core without knowing sanitation provenance.
Sources
Sources for this answer
Read the source documents behind the thresholds, measurements, and policy details used here.
View source
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Deceptive Trade Practices Act
15 U.S.C. § 45