The Forum assembles many important stakeholder organizations including the Consumer and Public Interest Network (CPIN), which provides the independent voice of the UK consumer in the development of British Standards.
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Impact Story
Quality
Sharing Consumer Insight to Create a More Sustainable and Inclusive Society
Putting the consumer at the heart of thinking is helping companies from all sectors develop products and practices that promote safety and trust.
“Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world, promoting and protecting the interests of consumers is vital.”
Nikki Stopford
Consumer Forum Chair
The People
Leveraging the BSI Consumer Forum
Bringing together organizations from across the consumer protection landscape to share invaluable insight about topical consumer issues.
The Challenge
Keeping pace with the needs of consumers
Digital and technological transformation, coupled with unprecedented global events like the pandemic, is changing the way we all live, work and consume.
With this acceleration and the accompanying pressure to get into the market quickly, having standards in place is more important than ever for companies of all sizes.
Consumers are an essential part of the standards community. With behaviour so fluid, and trends moving fast, and trends moving fast, it's critical that the consumer voice be heard, and experience taken into account.
The Solution
Capturing the voice of the consumer
The Consumer Forum includes consumer groups, charities, regulators, and government departments to ensure the widest and strongest representation
Members have expertise in general consumer issues, specific topics (for example, electrical safety) or the needs of particular consumer groups.
The Consumer Forum members work together to:
- Take a strategic view on consumer issues
- Explore potential standards solutions
- Guide the CPIN's priorities
- Provide the consumer perspective to BSI's standards committees
Putting consumers at the heart of decision-making
The BSI Consumer Forum plays a key part in delivering consumer protection both in the UK and in developing markets throughout the world.
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Provides a united focus for organizations at the forefront of empowering and protecting consumers
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Strengthens the consumer voice in standards by sharing emerging trends and data
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Protects consumers from unsafe products
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Improves product recall systems for consumers
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2015: UN Guidelines updated to include e-commerce and inclusivity
How capturing the voice of consumers has transformed since 1950
The journey of the 'consumer voice' and the Consumer and Public Interest Network (CPIN) has evolved over the last 70 years. Notable dates include:
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1951: First mobilization of the Women's Advisory Committee, the foundation for the CPIN
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1957: Launch of the Consumer's Assocation, later to become Which?
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1975: New National Consumer Council established by government to give a voice to UK consumers
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1985: United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection published
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2015: UN Guidelines updated to include e-commerce and inclusivity
“Standards are vital in helping to protect children and reassuring parents that what they are buying is safe.”
Katrina Phillips
Chief Executive, Child Accident Prevention Trust
Why BSI
Leading the standards conversation
Alongside legislation and education, standards are a vital part of the toolkit for proactively protecting consumers.
Would you or your organization like to contribute to standards in development? We welcome new members to our networks (both organizational and individual) and are keen to hear from consumer champions with a wide range of knowledge and experience.
Contact Us
Promote safety and trust
BSI improves the quality and safety of products and services through creating and promoting standards. Contact us to find out what we can do for you.
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