Letter to Matthew R. Shay, President and CEO of National Retail Federation - Senator Rick Scott to Online Retailers: Require Merchants to Display Country of Origin Labeling

Letter

Dear Mr. Shay:

As Americans continue to take steps to stay safe amid the coronavirus pandemic, more are choosing to shop online. To protect our families, Americans need to know where the products they buy online are made. As the largest retail trade association, the National Retail Federation plays a critical role in encouraging its members to help American consumers make informed choices for themselves and their families.

Following a recent push from the Indian government, Amazon Inc. and Walmart's Flipkart voluntarily agreed to require merchants to prominently display the country of origin for all goods sold online in India. I am advocating for all online retailers to voluntarily do the same in the United States.

In the U.S. Senate, I introduced the Promoting Responsibility in Markets and E-Retailers (PRIME) Act to require online retailers to list the country of origin for each product they sell, and have joined Senator Tammy Baldwin in introducing the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) Online Act, which would give the Federal Trade Commission the authority over such laws. I am urging my colleagues to quickly pass these bills to provide more transparency in online shopping.

Buying products "Made in America" is the most important step American families can take to support American jobs, American manufacturers and American innovation. Americans have a right to know where the products they buy are made, and I urge the National Retail Federation and its members to help lead this important effort.

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