Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB294

Introduced
1/29/25  

Caption

Country of Origin Labeling Requirement Act or the COOL Online Act This bill requires sellers of imported products online to conspicuously disclose the country of origin of the products and the country where the seller's principal place of business is located. This requirement does not apply to specified products, such as agricultural commodities, food or drugs, or previously owned items.The Federal Trade Commission must enforce violations of this requirement as unfair or deceptive trade practices.

Impact

The proposed implementation of SB294 would significantly impact the landscape of online retail by requiring stringent compliance standards for product disclosures. The bill includes various provisions meant to exempt specific categories of goods from this requirement such as agricultural products and used articles, indicating efforts to balance consumer information needs with practical considerations for sellers. By expectedly improving the traceability of foreign products, legislators argue that it will also help protect domestic producers from unfair competition. However, it remains to be seen how stringent enforcement will be, especially for smaller sellers who may face compliance challenges.

Summary

SB294, also known as the 'Country Of Origin Labeling Online Act' or the 'COOL Online Act', mandates that all foreign-origin products sold on the internet must have clear labeling that identifies both the country of origin of the product and the location of the seller's principal place of business. This legislation aims to enhance consumer protection by ensuring that buyers can make informed choices about the products they purchase online. By enforcing such requirements, the bill seeks to foster transparency in online marketplaces, which have been criticized for a lack of clarity in product sourcing.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding SB294, especially regarding its implications for smaller sellers online. The exemption for 'small sellers'—those with annual sales below $20,000—is intended to mitigate the regulatory burden on them. Critics of the bill have expressed concerns that this threshold may not adequately protect all small businesses and could lead to disparities in compliance among sellers. Furthermore, the definitions of terms like 'multi-sourced products' create complexities that could pose difficulties for online retailers attempting to comply with the law, possibly leading to confusion over liability and enforcement. The discussions in legislative circles suggest that there might be ongoing debates about balancing consumer rights with the interests and realities of online businesses.

Congress_id

119-S-294

Policy_area

Agriculture and Food

Introduced_date

2025-01-29

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB217

Country of Origin Labeling Requirement Act This bill requires retail sellers of products online to conspicuously disclose the country of origin of the products. This requirement does not apply to individuals selling products through third-party websites or mobile applications. The Federal Trade Commission must enforce violations of this requirement as unfair or deceptive trade practices.

US SB1421

COOL Online Act Country Of Origin Labeling Online Act

US SB52

American Beef Labeling Act of 2023 This bill reinstates mandatory country-of-origin labeling requirements for beef. Specifically, the bill requires the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to develop a means of reinstating the requirements that complies with the rules of the World Trade Organization. The USTR and the Department of Agriculture must implement the means within one year.

US HB5462

To amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to require that the slaughter date, package date, freeze date, and country of origin be labeled on meat and poultry products.

US HB5081

Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act of 2023

US SB5475

A bill to amend the Organic Food Production Act of 1990 to provide producers with the option to confirm the absence of prohibited substances through testing, and for other purposes.

US HB389

Preventing Opportunistic Returns on Trades and Futures by Officials, Leadership, and Individuals in Office Act or the PORTFOLIO Act This bill generally prohibits federal employees and officials from owning or trading in synthetic assets (i.e., tokenized derivatives). It also establishes financial disclosure requirements with respect to cryptocurrency. Specifically, the bill prohibits federal employees, Members of Congress, the President, and Vice President from owning or trading investments in a security, a commodity, a future, cryptocurrency, or any comparable economic interest acquired through synthetic means, such as through a derivative. Such investments must be divested through gift or donation, cashing out, or a qualified blind trust. The appropriate ethics office may grant temporary exemptions in certain situations, such as for preexisting complex financial arrangements from which investments cannot be withdrawn, and may assess fees for violations. The Department of Justice may also bring civil actions for violations. The bill also (1) incorporates cryptocurrency and other digital assets into current financial disclosure requirements; (2) modifies the categories and timelines for financial disclosures; and (3) requires agencies, ethics offices, and the Department of Justice to regularly report on violations of this bill and other related requirements.

US HB10370

To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish certain labeling requirements for caffeine, and for other purposes.

US SB11

Secure Auction For Energy Reserves Act of 2023 or the SAFER Act of 2023 This bill limits the sale and exportation of petroleum products (e.g., crude oil) from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to require, as a condition of auction sales, that the petroleum products not be exported to countries that are designated as countries of particular concern for religious freedom under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. In addition, the bill establishes limits on auction sales of petroleum products from the SPR to state-owned entities if DOE determines that, as of the dates of the auctions, there are bans on, or the imposition of sanctions by the United States with respect to, the purchase of crude oil from countries. Under such circumstances, state-owned entities must certify that they have not purchased petroleum products from countries subject to such bans or sanctions later than 15 days after the date on which the ban or sanctions went into effect in order to be able to bid in auctions. If DOE determines state-owned entities participating in the auctions have purchased crude oil from such countries after that time period, then DOE may not sell petroleum products from the SPR to such entities.

US HB10514

To provide additional assistance to certain agricultural producers, and for other purposes.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.