Country of origin
Country of origin labelling (COL) is also known as place-based branding, the made-in image or the "nationality bias".
In antiquity, informal branding which included details such as the name of manufacturer and place of origin were used by consumers as important clues as to product quality.
David Wengrow has found archaeological evidence of brands, which often included origin of manufacture, dating to around 4,000 years ago.
For instance, an object found in a royal burial tomb in Abydos (southern Egypt) and dating to around 3,000 B.C.E., carries brand elements that would be very familiar to modern consumers.
Inscriptions on the surface denote a specific place of manufacture, "finest oil of Tjehenu", a region in modern-day Libya.
[4][5] Diana Twede has shown that amphorae used in Mediterranean trade between 1500 and 500 BCE exhibited a wide variety of shapes and markings, which provided information for purchasers during exchange.
[8] Umbricius Scauras, a manufacturer of fish sauce (also known as garum) in Pompeii c. 35 C.E., was branding his amphora which travelled across the entire Mediterranean.
Mosaic patterns in the atrium of his house were decorated with images of amphora bearing his personal brand and quality claims.
The mosaic comprises four different amphora, one at each corner of the atrium, and bearing labels as follows:[9][10] Scauras' fish sauce was known to be of very high quality across the Mediterranean and its reputation travelled as far away as modern France.
In response to competitive pressures, towns began investing in developing a reputation for quality produce, efficient market regulation and good amenities for visitors.
By the thirteenth century, English counties with important textile industries were investing in purpose built halls for the sale of cloth.
In the 20th century, as markets became more global and trade barriers removed, consumers had access to a broader range of goods from almost anywhere in the world.
[17] For example, a global survey carried out by Nielsen reported that[18] country-of-origin image has a significant influence on consumer perceptions and behaviours, and, in situations in which additional information is unavailable or difficult to get, can be the sole determinant of whether or not someone buys a product.
10816), however, contains a requirement that many retail establishments provide, starting on September 30, 2004, country-of-origin information on fresh fruits and vegetables, red meats, seafood, and peanuts.
[30] The 1933 Buy American Act requires that a product be manufactured in the U.S. of more than 50 percent U.S. parts to be considered Made in USA for government procurement purposes.
When a company makes claims in advertising or promotional materials that go beyond the AALA requirements, it will be held to the commission's standard.
The mandatory country-of-origin labeling of food sold in the United States (mCOOL) rule was defeated by Canada at the WTO in 2014–2015.
), the container (if not an integral part of the piece), or other sources (standard and special moving image reference tools).
[37] Under copyright law in the United States and other signatories of the Berne Convention, "country of origin" is defined in an inclusive way to ensure the protection of intellectual rights of writers and creators.
