European Consumers' Bureau

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BEUC (Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs)
Motto The Consumer Voice in Europe
Formation 1962
Type Non-governmental organization
Purpose/focus Consumer protection
Location Belgium, Brussels
President Peter Vicary-Smith
Director General Monique Goyens
Main organ Executive Board (10 representatives)
Website www.beuc.eu

The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC, stands for French “Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs”) is an umbrella consumers' group, founded in 1962. Based in Brussels, Belgium, it brings together 41 European consumer organisations from 31 countries (EU, EEA and applicant countries).

BEUC represents its members and defends the interests of consumers in the decision process of the Institutions of the European Union, acting as the “consumer voice in Europe”. BEUC does not deal with consumers’ complaints as it is the role of its national member organisations.

The organisation is funded by an EU grant, its member fees and other specific projects (see “External links”). In 2010, the operational budget of BEUC amounted to €2.9m. In 2012, it reached €3,160,000m. In 2012, the EU funding represented 43% of the operational BEUC budget.

BEUC has subscribed to the European Union’s Transparency Register.[1]

History

BEUC was created on 6 March 1962 by consumer organisations of Belgium, Luxembourg, France, the Netherlands, Italy and Germany. After working together for a number of years, these organisations decided to create a European association, based in Brussels.[2]

BEUC was one of the first lobbying organisations to set up base in the European capital in a bid to influence the decision-making process.[3] Many others followed, and the number of lobbyists rose exponentially to the present-day figure of over 15,000.

Activities

The organisation’s work is divided into 8 priority areas: consumer contracts, digital rights, energy, financial services, food, collective redress, health, safety & sustainability. Its priorities are defined by BEUC members who meet twice a year at the general assembly and at several experts’ meetings.

In 2012, BEUC celebrated its 50th anniversary. A dedicated website was set up for the occasion to commemorate the organisation’s achievements in consumer-related areas over the past 50 years, including cross-border bank payments, GMO labelling and personal data protection.

At the international level, BEUC is a member of Consumers International,[4] the global federation of consumer groups. It is also active in the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD), a forum of US and EU consumer organisations. BEUC is also active in empowering the consumer movement in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe (CESEE countries) carrying out several initiatives.[5]

Members

See BEUC's member page.

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ "EU Transparency Register". www.ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 2013-07-31. 
  2. ↑ "BEUC? BEUK? BOUIK? BEEEOOK?". beuc.eu. Retrieved 2013-07-31. 
  3. ↑ "BEUC? BEUK? BOUIK? BEEEOOK?". beuc.eu. Retrieved 2013-07-31. 
  4. ↑ "Member profile". www.consumersinternational.org. Retrieved 2013-07-31. 
  5. ↑ "CESEE: Empowering the consumer movement in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe". beuc.eu. Retrieved 2013-07-31. 
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