Criteria
Independence from commercial and party political
interests, not-for-profit and acting for the common good of
consumers are the three principles guiding Full and Affiliate
membership to Consumers International.
Operating principles shared by consumer organisations members of
Consumers International all over the world include:
Advertising
Not to carry advertising or other form of promotion from any
commercial or political organisations in magazines or other
publicly distributed material that would compromise or tarnish the
consumer organisation's reputation for independence in the view of
the public.
Grants and donations
Not to accept grants, donations or loans from sources, which
could compromise the work of a consumer organisation or its use of
the money by influencing or limiting its independence of action or
comment.
Payments for services
Not to accept payments in return for specific professional
services if these could compromise the impartiality of the consumer
organisation's testing and other research, reporting or policy
work.
Relationship with private companies
To maintain or demonstrate the independence of the consumer
organisation in a commercial relationship with a manufacturer or
service supplier
Government support
Not to accept financial support from governments and other
public bodies, which could limit the independence of the consumer
organisation or its ability to criticise the government or other
public bodies.
Political affiliations
To avoid identification of the consumer organisation with a
specific political party or parties or candidate (including
independent candidates).
Organisational structure
To operate on a clear not-for-profit basis.
Relations with other members
To show solidarity with the worldwide consumer movement and to
avoid public disparagement of other members.