S.294 - Country Of Origin Labeling Online Act; COOL Online Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The COOL Online Act (S.294) mandates origin and location disclosure for new foreign products sold online. It requires online retailers to conspicuously display the country of origin and the seller's principal place of business. The bill includes exemptions for agricultural products, food, drugs, used articles, and small sellers.
Expected Effects
This act aims to increase transparency for consumers regarding the origin of products they purchase online. It also empowers consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions based on product origin and seller location. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would enforce the act, with interagency cooperation from Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Agriculture.
Potential Benefits
- Increased consumer awareness about product origins.
- Greater transparency in online commerce.
- Empowered consumer choice based on origin and seller location.
- Potential for increased demand for domestically produced goods.
- Level playing field for domestic manufacturers competing with foreign products.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased compliance costs for online retailers, especially smaller businesses.
- Potential for consumer confusion regarding multi-sourced products.
- Exemptions may limit the scope of the law's impact.
- Enforcement challenges for the FTC.
- Possible retaliatory measures from other countries.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with Congress's power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, as granted by Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the Constitution (the Commerce Clause). It does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or freedoms. The enforcement mechanism through the FTC is consistent with established regulatory practices.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).