COOL Online Act
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to take a stance, submit a written position, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
This bill, the COOL Online Act, requires online sellers to clearly display the country of origin and the location of their business when selling imported products. Certain products, including agricultural commodities, meat and poultry, eggs, used goods, and some food and drugs, are exempt from these requirements. The Federal Trade Commission will be responsible for enforcing these rules, and a memorandum of understanding will be established between the FTC, Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Agriculture to ensure consistent implementation.
Key provisions
- Requires online sellers to disclose the country of origin of products.
- Requires online sellers to disclose the country where their business is located.
- Exempts certain agricultural products (meat, poultry, eggs) from the disclosure requirements.
- Exempts used or previously-owned articles from the disclosure requirements.
- Exempts certain food and drugs subject to the FDA’s jurisdiction.
- Establishes a ‘safe harbor’ for retailers who rely on third-party origin information.
- Requires the FTC, Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Agriculture to create an agreement for consistent implementation.
- Provides a limitation of liability for retailers who rely on false representations from suppliers.
Who is affected
- Online sellers of imported goods
- Consumers purchasing goods online
- Manufacturers and importers
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
2 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsor
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours