Consumers International
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Consumers International (CI) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) which represents consumer groups and agencies all over the world. It has a membership of over 230 organisations in 113 countries. Its goal is to promote a fairer society through defending the rights of all consumers through increasing the number and scope of consumer organisations and campaigning to increase the number of 'consumer friendly' policies and laws of governments.
It was established in 1960 as the International Organisation of Consumers Unions (IOCU) by national consumer organisations. The original members recognised that they could build upon their individual strengths by working across national borders. The organisation rapidly grew and soon became established as the voice of the international consumer movement on issues such as product and food standards, health and patients’ rights, the environment and sustainable consumption, and the regulation of international trade and public utilities.
Consumers International have four offices: Accra, Ghana; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; London, United Kingdom and Santiago, Chile.
CI bases its work on the United Nations list of consumer rights:
- the right to satisfaction of basic needs
- the right to safety
- the right to be informed
- the right to choose
- the right to be heard
- the right to redress
- the right to consumer education
- the right to a healthy environment.
