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.
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.