Consumer organisations and NGOs

One consumer alone is weak; organised consumers are strong. Consumer organisations and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) are non-profit bodies, free from government control, that work for consumers.

What they do:

• educate the public about their rights, through training programmes, seminars and workshops;
• publish periodicals and other material, to spread knowledge about products, laws and remedies;
• carry out comparative testing of competing products in accredited laboratories, and publish the results, so consumers can choose the better brand;
• encourage consumers to protest against exploitation, and give them legal assistance;
• file complaints in commissions on behalf of consumers;
• take up cases in the public interest.