Subdivision 1. Written disclosure. (a) No manufacturer shall sell any building materials and no builder shall sell or lease to the initial occupant a housing unit, other than a unit of manufactured housing, containing urea formaldehyde unless the manufacturer or builder has made the following written disclosure to any purchaser of the materials or housing unit or lessee of the housing unit:
"IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTICE.
SOME OF THE BUILDING MATERIALS USED IN THIS HOME (OR THESE BUILDING MATERIALS) EMIT FORMALDEHYDE. EYE, NOSE, AND THROAT IRRITATION, HEADACHE, NAUSEA AND A VARIETY OF ASTHMA-LIKE SYMPTOMS, INCLUDING SHORTNESS OF BREATH, HAVE BEEN REPORTED AS A RESULT OF FORMALDEHYDE EXPOSURE. ELDERLY PERSONS AND YOUNG CHILDREN, AS WELL AS ANYONE WITH A HISTORY OF ASTHMA, ALLERGIES, OR LUNG PROBLEMS, MAY BE AT GREATER RISK. RESEARCH IS CONTINUING ON THE POSSIBLE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO FORMALDEHYDE.
REDUCED VENTILATION MAY ALLOW FORMALDEHYDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE INDOOR AIR. HIGH INDOOR TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITY RAISE FORMALDEHYDE LEVELS. WHEN A HOME IS TO BE LOCATED IN AREAS SUBJECT TO EXTREME SUMMER TEMPERATURES, AN AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM CAN BE USED TO CONTROL INDOOR TEMPERATURE LEVELS. OTHER MEANS OF CONTROLLED MECHANICAL VENTILATION CAN BE USED TO REDUCE LEVELS OF FORMALDEHYDE AND OTHER INDOOR AIR CONTAMINANTS.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF FORMALDEHYDE, CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR OR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT."
(b) No manufacturer shall sell or lease a manufactured home containing urea formaldehyde unless the manufacturer has made the written disclosure prescribed in Code of Federal Regulations, title 24, section 3280.309 (1984).
Subd. 1a. Building materials defined. For the purposes of this section "building materials" means any urea formaldehyde-containing material used in the construction, insulation, or renovation of a housing unit or a nonresidential building, but does not include:
(1) draperies, carpeting, furniture and furnishings not normally permanently affixed to a housing unit; and
(2) noncellular insulation.
Subd. 2. How disclosure made. The disclosure required by subdivision 1 shall be made clearly and conspicuously on the label or written warranty of the materials in a manner designed to attract the attention of a prospective buyer or user. If the product or housing unit has neither a label nor a written warranty the disclosure shall be made in a separate writing included with the product or housing unit.
Subd. 3. Sales, installation, or use subject to disclosure. No person shall sell for use in a dwelling place building materials subject to the written disclosure requirement of subdivision 1 unless the seller has provided to the purchaser a copy of the written disclosure provided by the manufacturer. No person shall for gain install or use in a dwelling place building materials subject to the written disclosure requirement of subdivision 1 unless the installer or user has provided to the person on whose behalf the materials are installed or used a copy of the written disclosure provided by the manufacturer.
Subd. 4. Liability. The manufacturer of a product that contains urea formaldehyde shall pay the reasonable cost of repair or relocation if the consumer can document that the product used in constructing the consumer's residence did not, at the time of manufacture, meet the product standard established in section 325F.181. The builder of a housing unit shall pay the reasonable cost of repair or relocation if the consumer can document that the builder used products in the construction of the housing unit that were subject to the product standard adopted under section 325F.181 but were not certified and labeled under section 325F.181. A manufacturer or builder is not liable under this subdivision unless the consumer has documented medical records of illness related to formaldehyde and a statement from a physician that the consumer must vacate the premises. The party who has received the claim has the right to test the housing unit or products at reasonable times.
If within 30 days after the presentation of the items set forth above the manufacturer or builder and the consumer do not agree on a remedy the consumer may bring suit to recover the reasonable cost of repair or relocation plus reasonable attorneys' fees. Notwithstanding the remedy under this subdivision, the consumer may bring an action for personal injury, if any, if the action is commenced within one year from the consumer's receipt of the order of a physician to vacate the premises due to an illness related to formaldehyde.
Subd. 5. [Repealed, 1985 c 216 s 7]
Subd. 6. Violation as fraud, misrepresentation, or deceptive practice. Any person who is found in violation of subdivisions 1 to 3 shall be deemed in violation of section 325F.69, subdivision 1, and the provisions of section 8.31 shall apply.
1980 c 594 s 2; 1981 c 245 s 1; 1985 c 216 s 2-4
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 324 - 341 — Trade Regulations, Consumer Protection
Chapter 325F — Consumer Protection; Products And Sales
Section 325F.01 — Asbestos Used In Building And Remodeling.
Section 325F.015 — Unsafe Bleachers.
Section 325F.02 — Manufacture, Storage, Or Sale Of Matches.
Section 325F.03 — Flame Resistant Public Assembly Tents.
Section 325F.04 — Flame Resistant Tents And Sleeping Bags.
Section 325F.06 — Civil Penalties.
Section 325F.07 — Criminal Penalty.
Section 325F.071 — Flame-retardant Chemicals; Prohibition.
Section 325F.072 — Firefighting Foam.
Section 325F.075 — Food Packaging; Pfas.
Section 325F.08 — Importation, Manufacture, Sale Or Distribution Of Hazardous Articles.
Section 325F.09 — Definitions.
Section 325F.10 — Banning Of Hazardous Articles; Rules.
Section 325F.11 — Testing Of Articles To Determine And Insure Compliance.
Section 325F.12 — Repurchase Of Banned Articles.
Section 325F.13 — Banned Hazardous Toys; Prohibitions.
Section 325F.135 — Unsafe Recalled Toys; Prohibition On Sale.
Section 325F.14 — Hazardous Toys; Seizure.
Section 325F.15 — Commissioner's Right Of Access To Premises, Records.
Section 325F.171 — Crib Safety.
Section 325F.172 — Definitions.
Section 325F.173 — Bisphenol-a In Certain Children's Products.
Section 325F.174 — Bisphenol-a In Children's Food Containers.
Section 325F.175 — Bisphenol-a Replacement Chemicals.
Section 325F.176 — Definitions.
Section 325F.177 — Formaldehyde In Children's Products; Ban.
Section 325F.178 — Formaldehyde Replacement Chemicals.
Section 325F.179 — Enforcement.
Section 325F.18 — Duty Of Manufacturer.
Section 325F.181 — Formaldehyde Product Standard.
Section 325F.185 — Electric Vehicle Infrastructure.
Section 325F.19 — Home Insulation; Consumer Protection; Definitions.
Section 325F.20 — Specifications For Manufacture, Labeling, And Installation Of Insulation.
Section 325F.21 — Testing Of Insulation.
Section 325F.22 — Unfair And Deceptive Advertising Practices.
Section 325F.23 — Marking, Labeling, And Consumer Information.
Section 325F.24 — Enforcement; Penalties.
Section 325F.245 — Landscape Application Contracts.
Section 325F.25 — Definitions.
Section 325F.26 — Use Of Secondhand Material Forbidden In Certain Cases.
Section 325F.27 — Sale Of Bedding.
Section 325F.28 — Material Must Be Renovated.
Section 325F.29 — Sales Forbidden; Exceptions; Penalties.
Section 325F.30 — Shoddy Material To Be Labeled.
Section 325F.31 — Bedding To Be Labeled.
Section 325F.32 — Feathers To Be Renovated.
Section 325F.34 — Testimony; Production Of Books And Documents.
Section 325F.35 — Definitions.
Section 325F.36 — Manufacture And Sale Of Cotton Duck Or Canvas; Stamps, Brands, And Marks.
Section 325F.37 — Certain Sales Unlawful; Misstatements Forbidden.
Section 325F.39 — Unlawful To Deface Mark.
Section 325F.40 — Violations; Penalties.
Section 325F.41 — Testimony; Production Of Books And Documents.
Section 325F.42 — Fraud In The Sale Of Fur Wearing Apparel.
Section 325F.43 — Imitation Indian-made Goods To Be Branded.
Section 325F.45 — Goods Not To Be Sold Without Brand.
Section 325F.47 — Misrepresentation Of Blind-made Articles Or Products.
Section 325F.48 — Prison-made Goods Are Subject To Laws Of State.
Section 325F.51 — Operation Of Airport Foreign Currency Exchanges.
Section 325F.53 — Retail Merchandise; Price Marking.
Section 325F.55 — Local Ordinance Preempted.
Section 325F.56 — Definitions.
Section 325F.57 — Service Calls.
Section 325F.61 — Return Of Property.
Section 325F.62 — Required Shop Practices.
Section 325F.63 — Remedies; Penalties.
Section 325F.65 — Preemption By State.
Section 325F.662 — Sale Of Used Motor Vehicles.
Section 325F.664 — New Motor Vehicle Damage Disclosures.
Section 325F.6641 — Disclosure Of Vehicle Damage.
Section 325F.6642 — Title Branding.
Section 325F.6643 — Remedies; Penalties.
Section 325F.665 — New Motor Vehicle Warranties; Manufacturer's Duty To Repair, Refund, Or Replace.
Section 325F.6651 — Definitions.
Section 325F.6652 — Notice To Consumer.
Section 325F.6653 — Manufacturer's Duty To Repair.
Section 325F.6654 — Manufacturer's Duty To Refund Or Replace.
Section 325F.6655 — Extension Of Warranty.
Section 325F.6656 — Alternative Dispute Settlement.
Section 325F.6657 — Affirmative Defenses.
Section 325F.6658 — Limitation On Actions.
Section 325F.6659 — Remedy Nonexclusive.
Section 325F.666 — Unlawful Reassignment Of Certain Motor Vehicle Contracts.
Section 325F.6670 — Equipment Required At Time Of Sale.
Section 325F.67 — False Statement In Advertisement.
Section 325F.675 — Fraud Related To Consumer Telephone Records.
Section 325F.68 — Definitions.
Section 325F.69 — Unlawful Practices.
Section 325F.691 — Unreasonable Delay In Mortgage Loan Closing.
Section 325F.692 — Fraudulent Telephone Services; Billing.
Section 325F.693 — Fraudulent Telephone Services; Slamming.
Section 325F.694 — False Or Misleading Commercial Electronic Mail Messages.
Section 325F.696 — Liability For Unauthorized Use Of Cellular Telephones.
Section 325F.697 — Live Check Solicitation Prohibited.
Section 325F.698 — Smartphone Antitheft Protection.
Section 325F.71 — Senior Citizens And Disabled Persons; Additional Civil Penalty For Deceptive Acts.
Section 325F.72 — Disclosure Of Special Care Status Required.
Section 325F.721 — Provision Of "i'm Okay" Check Services.
Section 325F.722 — Consumer Protections For Exempt Settings.
Section 325F.73 — Fraudulent Sale Of Gold And Silver; Penalty.
Section 325F.731 — Definitions.
Section 325F.733 — License; Application; Terms And Conditions.
Section 325F.734 — Identification Of Sellers.
Section 325F.735 — Records Required.
Section 325F.736 — Required Holding Period.
Section 325F.737 — Additional Holding Period.
Section 325F.739 — Certain Purchases Prohibited.
Section 325F.741 — Payment By Check.
Section 325F.742 — Governmental Subdivisions May Regulate.
Section 325F.743 — Criminal Penalty.
Section 325F.744 — Civil Penalty.
Section 325F.755 — Prize Notices And Solicitations.
Section 325F.76 — Definitions.
Section 325F.77 — Promotional Distribution.
Section 325F.781 — Requirements; Tobacco Product Delivery Sales.
Section 325F.783 — Auto Glass Repair Or Replacement.
Section 325F.784 — Prescription Drug Discounts.
Section 325F.785 — Sales Of Hiv Home Collection Kits And Hypodermic Syringes And Needles.
Section 325F.79 — Definitions.
Section 325F.791 — Sales Of Dogs And Cats.
Section 325F.792 — Additional Penalties.
Section 325F.795 — Unauthorized Possession Of Merchandise Pallets.
Section 325F.80 — Retail Sales Of Consumer Goods; Refunds.
Section 325F.81 — Replica Firearms; Warning Label.
Section 325F.82 — Definitions.
Section 325F.83 — Regulation Of Automatic Garage Door Opening Systems.
Section 325F.84 — Definitions.
Section 325F.85 — Application Of Other Law.
Section 325F.86 — Disclosures.
Section 325F.87 — Form Requirements.
Section 325F.88 — Advertising.
Section 325F.90 — Lessee's Reinstatement Rights.
Section 325F.91 — Prohibited Practices.
Section 325F.92 — Lessor's Communications Concerning Lessee.
Section 325F.93 — Early Purchase Option.
Section 325F.94 — Claims And Defenses.
Section 325F.95 — Liability; Liability Damage Waiver.
Section 325F.96 — Exempted Transaction.
Section 325F.97 — Penalties And Remedies.
Section 325F.981 — Check Cashing Practices.
Section 325F.982 — Consumer Identification Information.
Section 325F.985 — Definitions.
Section 325F.986 — Exclusivity Agreements.
Section 325F.987 — Limitation On Actions.
Section 325F.988 — Nonapplication.
Section 325F.99 — Telephone Calls; Fees; Long-distance Carriers; Notice.
Section 325F.991 — 911 Emergency Phone Service Representations.
Section 325F.992 — Prohibition Of Assignment Of Military Pay Or Military Benefits.