Those who protect your interests at their best

Consumer organizations are private and voluntary groups of citizens that seek to improve, by their actions, the general conditions of contracts for the purchase and use of goods and services, compare prices and costs, and to protect consumer and user rights, even via litigation.

Several dozens of consumer groups are operating in Italy but only 20 of them have been recognized at a national level by the Ministry of Economic Development based on their requirements.

This organizations, each with its own membership, are part of the National Council of Consumers and Users (CNCU), a body chaired by the Minister of Economic Development which provides advice or discusses and expresses its views on government choices for consumer rights. It also contributes to improving and strengthening consumers’ market position.

Consumer organizations have national headquarters and many branches to be close to consumers in all major cities in Italy. Their work covers many sectors of the economy, both for the individual consumer (to inform or solve problems of a single citizen), and for the government and public and private enterprises (to deal with problems that affect consumers in general).

Their most important tasks are:

• to give assistance and protection (also legal) to their associated users or consumers who have difficulties in knowing, understanding and exercising their rights;
• to give information to citizens on the legislative and socio-economic changes affecting them, and to train their associate consumers so they are aware of their rights;
• to represent the general interests of consumers and users in front of the Parliament, Government, public authorities and companies, both public and private, that sell goods or provide public services.

With the available companies, consumer organizations also start permanent working groups to address and resolve problems that affect their customers in general and that may cause growing disputes.

Consumer organizations focus their action even based on reports from their associates who write to them or present an issue to their offices. The protection of rights consists in providing both legal assistance at their offices, both in supporting their associates in the presentation of complaints, and representing consumers in settlements or in front of the Regulatory agencies.

Also, information activities are crucial. They take place through specific awareness campaigns carried out in streets, markets and at the branches, through participation in radio and television broadcasts, through their websites, the publication of guides, brochures, newsletters and magazines, and, with articles published on newspapers and magazines.