What is CPIN?

CPIN is an independent organization, that exists to empower and protect consumers through effective consumer representation in British Standards. Established in 1951, CPIN operates with financial support from BSI and government.

CPIN is made up of 60+ trained volunteers, who are experts in consumer issues and participate in the development of standards to:

  • highlight key consumer issues
  • make sure that real problems are addressed
  • minimize the risk of consumer harm
  • make a positive difference to consumers’ lives

 

We believe that all consumers have a right to safe and accessible goods and services, clear information, fair treatment, effective systems of redress and a healthy environment. CPIN representatives use the principles described in the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP) as the foundation of their work.

CPIN Mission
To empower and protect consumers through effective consumer representation in British Standards.


CPIN Vision
A safer, fairer and better world where standards help organizations to improve outcomes for consumers and minimize the risk of harm.

CPIN priorities

BSI publishes around 2,500 standards each year and it would be impossible for CPIN to get involved in every single one. So, resources are focused in areas where CPIN can have the greatest positive impact for consumers, based on the following priorities:

  • Consumer safety – protect consumers’ health and safety when using goods and services, by helping organizations to minimize risks. Find out more in CPIN’s ‘Consumer Safety’ leaflet
  • Consumer vulnerability – goods and services are fair and inclusive, and that organizations provide the right support for those in vulnerable situations. Find out more in CPIN’s ‘Consumer Vulnerability’ leaflet
  • Digital – organizations’ keep personal data safe and secure and consumers are able to make informed choices about digital products and services. Find out more in CPIN’s ‘Digital’ leaflet
  • Services – consumers can access safe, fair, quality services both online and offline. Find out more in CPIN’s ‘Services’ leaflet
  • Sustainability – organizations follow sustainable business practice and help consumers to make green choices. Find out more in CPIN’s ‘Sustainability’ leaflet.

CPIN Chair

CPIN is chaired by Julie Hunter, an independent consumer consultant, who leads the CPIN Steering Group to ensure strategic oversight of CPIN’s work.

Julie has been a member of CPIN since 2009 and has represented consumers on a wide range of standards, including consumer vulnerability and online reviews. She is co-convenor of the ISO COPOLCO Services Working Group and chaired ANEC’s Services Working Group from 2012-2018.

Representing consumers

CPIN representatives sit on hundreds of standards development committees to speak up for consumers. As consumer experts they are trained to identify consumer issues in any product or service, prompting standards-makers to think about:

  • All consumers - the different needs, experiences and abilities of people of all ages, genders and ethnicities, including those in vulnerable situations.
  • Real-life use - how goods and services might be used, or impact consumers, in real life. For example:
    • Malicious use - a stranger hacking into a child’s internet-connected toy
    • Unintended use – young children playing with a tumble dryer intended for adult users
    • Passive use - pedestrians breathing in noxious fumes from vehicle exhausts
  • Potential harm – the risks to consumers if things go wrong and the scale of harm. How many people might be affected, for example, individuals, specific groups, local, national or global populations.
  • The big picture – relevant consumer issues at all stages of a product lifecycle or service journey. For example, from design and manufacture; to sale, purchase and consumption; to complaints and redress; recycling and disposal.

In standards, a consumer can be anyone who buys, uses, or may be impacted by, organizational behaviour, products and services. Customers, patients, residents, passengers and pupils are all consumers.

UK consumer engagement

CPIN engages with other UK consumer organizations to inform the work of its representatives and strengthen the consumer position in standards.

It does this by:

  • Holding ad-hoc meetings for consumer experts on certain topics to seek input for specific standards work.
  • Being a core member of the BSI Consumer Forum and working closely with member organizations.

 

Find out more about BSI’s Consumer Forum and how to join.

Global consumer engagement

International cooperation is also important. 95% of standards published by BSI each year are European or international in scope, reflecting the global nature of consumer markets and supply chains. 

International standards help to tackle cross-border issues and deliver consistent consumer protection. CPIN representatives actively participate in their development to ensure that they meet the needs of, and provide benefits for, UK consumers. 

CPIN collaborates with ANEC, Consumers International, and COPOLCO to share insight, develop policy and identify common goals. 

  • ANEC is the European consumer voice in standards. Members of CPIN participate in ANEC’s General Assembly and are active in ANEC working groups. CPIN experts may also represent ANEC directly into European standards developed by CEN/CENELEC, the European standards bodies. 
  • Consumers International (CI) is the membership organization for consumer groups around the world. CI represents the consumer voice directly into international standards developed by ISO and IEC. CPIN is a supporter member of CI.
  • COPOLCO is ISO’s committee on consumer policy. Its members are the National Standards bodies, such as BSI, which plays an active role in COPOLCO. CPIN works closely with BSI’s Consumer Team to collaborate with other NSBs on international consumer issues.

 

CPIN works closely with BSI’s Consumer Team to collaborate with other NSBs on international consumer issues.