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Earthquake in Haiti: what to do before you donate

Wed, 27 Jan 10 09:00:00 GMT

As with purchases of goods and services, donating money can leave consumers vulnerable to scams and other pitfalls.

Consumers Union of the US gives advice on how consumers in Amercia can best help those in need in Haiti after the earthquakes.

CU explains why some charities can help more than others, gives lists of top-rated charities and how to avoid scammers.

Read more...

WCRD activity: Stretching your Ringgit

Mon, 08 Feb 10 09:00:00 GMT

World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) is 15 March 2010. The theme this year is 'Our money, our rights' and will highlight consumer issues in relation to financial services.

CI's Kuala Lumpur Office in partnership with Citi Foundation Malaysia produced a series of videos broadcast on national TV in Malaysia in 2009. The announcements are aimed at equipping consumers with practical skills and knowledge in personal financial management for 'Stretching your Ringgit' (the currency of Malaysia).

Watch the videos to get ideas on how your organisation can empower consumers in your region to take control of their Ringgits, dollars, pesos, rands or Kenyan shillings.

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Range of stakeholders announce their support for ISO 26000 Guidance on Social Responsibility

Mon, 08 Feb 10 09:00:00 GMT

Since 2005, hundreds of experts have been gathering together at ISO 26000 working group meetings, seeking to formulate a globally accepted guidance standard that would define the scope of social responsibility, for enterprises and other organisations.

After five years of working together through consensus, the results are good. The working group is therefore both surprised and disappointed to learn of last-minute moves to halt the standard moving forward.

They call on all ISO Member Bodies to support the current Draft International Standard (DIS) to Final Draft International Standard (FDIS). It is time to let the organisations that will use this standard make their contribution.

Read more...

Next steps... WHO meets on the marketing of food to children

Wed, 03 Feb 10 09:00:00 GMT

Consumers International (CI) called on the WHO to strengthen its recommendations on junk food marketing in a number of areas at the recent World Health Organization's (WHO) Executive Board meeting in Geneva.

Of the member states attending, several came out in support of CI's position, whilst others proposed amendments that encouraged greater collaboration with industry and voluntary sector initiatives.

CI will next lobby for strengthened recommendations at the World Health Assembly (WHA) meeting in May.

Read more... NGO Statement on WHO Recommendations
Visit and comment on the Junk Food Generation blog

CI supports Clinton's call for access to knowledge

Fri, 22 Jan 10 09:00:00 GMT

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's recent speech on promoting online rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression and access to knowledge has been welcomed by Consumers International's Access to Knowledge project, A2Knetwork.org.

Consumers International turns 50

Mon, 04 Jan 10 09:00:00 GMT

Throughout 2010 we will look at the role CI has played in the development of consumer rights around the world... the key personalities, the key dates and the major campaign achievements.

We will also keep you right up to date with all the activities that will take place around the world this year.

Read more...
Download the commemorative anniversary booklet (pdf) in English, Spanish or French
Discover the full history of the consumer movement
Download the special CI at 50 Logo for your website

Consumer Press Review - January 2010

Mon, 26 Oct 09 09:00:00 GMT

Each month, Consumers International sums up consumer news and activities from our member organisations around the world, all in one pdf.

Highlights to start 2010 include the introduction of a new consumer protection law in Quebec that covers modern day purchases, such as mobile phones.

Nearly one million of the poorest people in the UK could be lifted out of financial exclusion if a simple-to-use bank account is launched by the Post Office network, according to Consumer Focus.

Centro para la Defensa del Consumidor finds junk food is ever present in schools in Central America. Prompting El Poder del Consumidor to call for junk food to be thrown out of schools in neighbouring Mexico.

Download the Consumer Press Review - January 2010

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Consumer groups still up for the fight against climate change

Mon, 07 Dec 09 09:00:00 GMT

Take stock of the Copenhagen climate change negotiations and find out where the consumer movement goes from here with this selection of essential CI materials:

CI Press Statement: As the COP15 climate change summit in Copenhagen draws to a close, consumers are eager to act

Blog: CI's Head of Delegation at COP15, Rasmus Kjeldahl, reflects on two chaotic weeks in Copenhagen

Media: 'Consumers are willing to take action' - interview with CI Head of Delegation, Rasmus Kjeldahl, in Copenhagen.

Policy: Find out about CI's positions on the climate issues that matter most to consumers

Greenwash special: CI Bad Company Awards 2009

See also... Climate change and energy

CI responds to the WHO recommendations on junk food marketing

Tue, 15 Dec 09 09:00:00 GMT

A major step forward, but more work to do... the publication of the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations on the marketing of food to children marked a significant moment in CI's Junk Food Generation campaign.

CI is calling for effective international action to protect children from junk food marketing that contributes to rising levels of obesity and overweight.

Member organisations around the world have been actively campaigning on the issue since a World Health Assembly (WHA) resolution called for the WHO to develop recommendations on the issue in 2007.

Bad Company Awards 2009 - Greenwash special

Wed, 02 Dec 09 09:00:00 GMT

Which leading brands perform brilliantly at making their products seem greener than they really are?

This year's Bad Company Awards focus on Greenwash (overmarketing products and policies as environmentally friendly).

The winners of 2009 include Microsoft and the oil giant BP. Plus a car brand, an airline and a lobby group that wants to convince consumers that CO₂ is green.

The focus on greenwashing comes as CI is in Copenhagen to put the case for consumer rights and responsibilities at the UN climate change talks.

Read more...

See also... Climate change and energy

Consumers say they are willing to pay more to ensure workers are paid fairly

Wed, 18 Nov 09 09:00:00 GMT

Major supermarket chains in Europe source many of their products from developing countries.

The people involved in these supply chains can potentially reap great benefits, but unreasonable treatment of suppliers can lead to poor working conditions and low wages.

CI commissioned a survey to find out just what consumers in Europe have to say about socially responsible procurement by supermarkets.

Also see... Sustainable consumption; Ethical consumerism; The Real Deal

FOMCA's National Consumer Complaints Centre

Mon, 09 Nov 09 09:00:00 GMT

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) has set up a National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) to offer advice on consumer problems.

FOMCA details how it launched and publicised the NCCC, and reveals its techniques and creative use of email to make companies and the government take notice.

The Chief Executive offers advice and encouragement to other CI members who would like to start up a similar service.

Read more... Scams and poor customer service are some common complaints. Read the feature for the surprising top complaint.

CI launches online access to knowledge survey in ten languages

Mon, 09 Nov 09 09:00:00 GMT

CI is conducting a global survey of consumers designed to uncover how they are affected by various barriers that impede their access to knowledge (A2K).

This concise A2K survey is the second phase of a research project that aims to gather evidence of consumers' actual experience in trying to access and use educational and cultural materials.

The online version of the A2K survey is available in Chinese, English, French, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish, and only takes a few minutes to complete. Survey submissions will be accepted from now until 31 January 2010.

Take part now...

World leaders urged to reduce fossil fuel subsidies

Fri, 06 Nov 09 09:00:00 GMT

CI has joined other members of the Green Economy Coalition to demand G20 leaders reduce subsides for fossil fuel energy production and redirect funds into helping vulnerable consumers make the transition to a low carbon economy.

The call comes ahead of the meeting of G20 finance ministers in Scotland, 6-7 November.

Read the letter to the G20 (pdf)

World Consumer Rights Day 2010

Mon, 12 Oct 09 09:00:00 GMT

The global consumer movement will once again unite for a day of action on 15 March 2010.

The theme for World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) 2010 is 'Our money, our rights' and will highlight consumer issues in relation to financial services.

Access to stable, secure and fair financial services is important for consumers everywhere, especially under the strain of the global financial crisis.

Read more...
Download WCRD 2010 banners and logos and spread the word in English, Spanish and French.

Consumers International Member Survey 2009

Wed, 30 Sep 09 09:00:00 GMT

The analysis of the 2009 Consumers International Member Survey is now available. The revealing facts reinforce the importance of working as a global voice for consumers. Most members said they look to the international context when planning their domestic campaigns.

Energy and climate change is the most in-demand campaign. See how the Junk Food Generation and A2K fared.

Other eye-openers answer the questions: What region needs the biggest boost to get online? And... Where do organisations get their money from?