Legis Daily

COOL Online Act

USA119th CongressS-294| Senate 
| Updated: 1/29/2025
Tammy Baldwin

Tammy Baldwin

Democratic Senator

Wisconsin

Cosponsors (1)
Rick Scott (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, known as the "COOL Online Act," requires internet websites to conspicuously display the country of origin and the seller's principal place of business for new products of foreign origin offered for sale. This mandate applies to products marked or required to be marked under the Tariff Act of 1930, ensuring transparency for consumers regarding where products are made and where the seller is located. The disclosure must be prominently featured within the product's online description, including for multi-sourced products where identical versions originate from multiple countries. However, the bill includes several key exclusions from these disclosure requirements, such as certain agricultural products, food and drugs regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and used or previously-owned articles. Additionally, "small sellers"—defined as those with annual sales under $20,000 and fewer than 200 discrete sales—are exempt. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for enforcing these provisions, treating any violation as an unfair or deceptive act. Retailers are provided a safe harbor if they rely in good faith on information supplied by third-party manufacturers or suppliers, and an interagency agreement between the FTC, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Agriculture is required for consistent implementation.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3707
COOL Online Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1421
COOL Online Act
Jan 29, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 29, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3707
    COOL Online Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1421
    COOL Online Act


  • January 29, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 29, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Agriculture and Food

COOL Online Act

USA119th CongressS-294| Senate 
| Updated: 1/29/2025
This legislation, known as the "COOL Online Act," requires internet websites to conspicuously display the country of origin and the seller's principal place of business for new products of foreign origin offered for sale. This mandate applies to products marked or required to be marked under the Tariff Act of 1930, ensuring transparency for consumers regarding where products are made and where the seller is located. The disclosure must be prominently featured within the product's online description, including for multi-sourced products where identical versions originate from multiple countries. However, the bill includes several key exclusions from these disclosure requirements, such as certain agricultural products, food and drugs regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and used or previously-owned articles. Additionally, "small sellers"—defined as those with annual sales under $20,000 and fewer than 200 discrete sales—are exempt. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for enforcing these provisions, treating any violation as an unfair or deceptive act. Retailers are provided a safe harbor if they rely in good faith on information supplied by third-party manufacturers or suppliers, and an interagency agreement between the FTC, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Agriculture is required for consistent implementation.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3707
COOL Online Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1421
COOL Online Act
Jan 29, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 29, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3707
    COOL Online Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1421
    COOL Online Act


  • January 29, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 29, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Tammy Baldwin

Tammy Baldwin

Democratic Senator

Wisconsin

Cosponsors (1)
Rick Scott (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Agriculture and Food

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted